Congratulations— if your permanent residency has just been approved, one of the smartest first moves you can make in Australia is enrolling in Medicare. It’s the country’s public health system, and for new permanent residents it’s usually free to join and starts saving you money from your very first GP visit. Congratulations on your permanent residency. One of the smartest first moves you can make in Australia is enrolling in Medicare — the country’s public health system. For new permanent residents it’s usually free to join and starts saving you money from your very first GP visit.
This guide covers the essentials: who’s eligible, what Medicare covers (and what it doesn’t), how to enrol step by step, and how to get your card. We’ve written itwith new arrivals in mind — including citizens of the UK, Ireland, New Zealandand other countries that have special health arrangements with Australia.
General information only. This guide is a starting point and isn’t a substitute for official advice from Services Australia or a registered migration agent. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is Australia’s universal public health insurance scheme. Established under the Health Insurance Act 1973, it is funded largely by taxpayers (through the Medicare levy) and gives eligible residents free or subsidised access to a wide range of health services. In short: it’s the system that lets you see a doctor, get tests and be treated in a public hospital without paying the full cost yourself.
What Medicare covers
• Free or subsidised visits to GPs (general practitioners)
• Consultations with specialists — you’ll usually need a GP referral first
• Treatment and accommodation as a public patient in a public hospital
• Many tests and scans, such as pathology and X-rays
• Eligible prescription medicines, subsidised separately through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• Some eye tests by optometrists
What Medicare doesn’t cover
• Most dental treatment for adults
• Ambulance services (rules vary by state and territory)
• Glasses and contact lenses
• Most physiotherapy, podiatry and other allied health(outside specific care plans)
• Private hospital treatment and choice of your own doctor in hospital
• Cosmetic procedures, and medical treatment overseas
For these gaps,many residents take out private health insurance — more on that below.
Bulk billing — and what changed in 2025–26
“Bulk billing” means your doctor bills Medicare directly and you pay nothing out of pocket. Whether a clinic bulk bills has always been the practice’s choice. Asignificant change took effect on 1 November 2025: bulk-billing incentives were expanded to cover all Medicare-eligible patients — previously they were limited to children under 16 and concession-card holders — backed by amultibillion-dollar federal investment and a new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program for clinics that bulk bill every patient. For new residents,the practical up shot is that bulk-billed appointments may be easier to find than a year ago, though it still pays to ask a clinic about its billing before you book.
Who is eligible for Medicare in Australia?
Eligibility comes down to your residency and visa status. Here’s how it breaks down for the most common situations.
Permanent residents
If you hold a permanent resident visa, you can enrol in Medicare — generally as soon as you’re living in Australia, with no waiting period to join. You can also enrol if you’ve applied for permanent residency and meet certain conditions (for example, having a parent, partner or child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or holding work rights).
New Zealand citizens
New Zealand citizens living in Australia can enrol in Medicare, following a similar process to permanent residents.
Citizens of reciprocal agreement countries
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) with 11 countries: Belgium, Finland,Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland,Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. If you’re visiting from one of them, you may access medically necessary care through Medicare during your stay. We cover this in detail in the next section.
Temporary visa holders
This is where many new arrivals get caught out. If you’re on a temporary visa — such as a Subclass 482 skilled work visa, a Subclass 500 student visa, or a WorkingHoliday visa (Subclass 417 or 462) — you are generally not eligible forMedicare, unless you’re a citizen of an RHCA country or you’ve applied for permanent residency and meet the conditions. Most temporary visa holders are instead required to hold private health cover (such as OVHC, or OSHC for students) as a condition of their visa.
Bridging visa holders and PR applicants
If you applied for permanent residency from inside Australia, you’re most likely on a Bridging Visa A while you wait for a decision — and you may be able to enrol in Medicare during this time. The key is meeting the conditions: typically, you’ve lodged a valid PR application and can show either work rights, or that you have a partner, parent or child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.If that’s you, there’s no need to wait for the grant — enrol now using your bridging visa evidence and your lodged-application receipt.
Who is not eligible
You generally can’t access Medicare as a tourist or as a temporary visa holder from a non-agreement country, or if you’ve lived overseas for more than 12 months(your enrolment lapses and you’ll need to re-enrol on return). If you’re not eligible, you can apply to Services Australia for a Medicare Entitlement Statement, which you may need to claim an exemption from the Medicare levy at tax time.
Not eligible yet? Get a Medicare Entitlement Statement
If you’re on a temporary visa and can’t enrol in Medicare, ask Services Australia for a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES). It’s an official document confirming you weren’t eligible for Medicare for a given period, and you’ll need it to claim an exemption from the Medicare levy when you lodge your tax return — so you’re not taxed for a system you can’t use. You apply through Services Australia for the specific period you want assessed; once it’s approved, keep the statement with your tax records. If your status later changes — for example, your PR is approved — you simply enrol in Medicare from that point.
Medicare eligibility at a glance
Reciprocal Health Care Agreements: Medicare for UK, Irish, NZ and other citizens
If you’re moving to — or visiting — Australia from the UK, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand or another agreement country, you have options that visitors from other countries don’t.
Which countries have an agreement
The 11 RHCA countries are Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand,Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
What an RHCA covers
An RHCA generally covers medically necessary treatment — care that can’t wait until you return home. Depending on the country, that can include out-of-hospital care(like a GP visit), public hospital treatment, and some PBS-subsidised medicines. It is not the same as full Medicare, and it does not replace travel or private health insurance — you should still hold appropriate cover,particularly for elective procedures, dental and medical evacuation.
How to enrol under an agreement
RHCA visitors enrol with Medicare by providing a passport or travel document, proof of a valid visa, evidence of enrolment in their home country’s public health system,and proof of their country of residence. If your visit is under three months,Services Australia won’t issue a physical card — you’ll be sent a letter with your Medicare number instead.
A note for UK and Irish arrivals
The UK and Ireland are among the most common origins for our clients. If you’ve moved permanently — for example on a partner or skilled visa leading to PR — your pathway is to enrol as a permanent resident rather than rely on the RHCA. The reciprocal agreement is mainly for visitors; permanent residents get the full benefit of Medicare.
How to apply for Medicare as a new permanent resident (step by step)
Enrolling is free and reasonably quick. Here’s how to do it.
Documents you’ll need
For permanent residents, you’ll need your passport or travel document, plus proof of your permanent resident visa (your visa grant). You’ll need copies for each person you want to enrol — and, helpfully, your documents do not need to be certified.
The three ways to enrol
1. Online through myGov — the fastest option for most people. Sign in to myGov, then select View and link services → Medicare →Link → Enrol in Medicare, and follow the prompts.
2. Through the myGov app — you can complete the same enrolment from your phone.
3. By mail or email — complete the Medicare enrolment form (form MS004) and send it with your supporting documents to Medicare Enrolment Services.
Enrolling your family
You can enrol as a family on one application. For children under 15, you provide their details and documents directly. Anyone aged 15 or older completes their part through their own myGov account, using the application number you’ll be given.
What happens next
Once your enrolment is processed, Services Australia issues your Medicare number and posts your physical Medicare card. You don’t have to wait for the plastic card to start using Medicare — see the next section.
Tip: Enrol as soon as you’ve landed and have your visa grant. There’s no benefit to waiting, and you’ll be covered sooner.
Your Medicare card
The digital Medicare card
After you enrol, you can access a digital Medicare card through your Medicare online account or the Express Plus Medicare app. You can use it at most clinics straight away and add it to your phone’s digital wallet — handy while your physical card is in the mail.
Getting a new or replacement card
Lost your card or need a replacement? Order a new one through myGov, the Express Plus Medicare app, or by phone — in most cases there’s no need to visit a service centre.
Cover while you wait Your interim Medicare card — cover while you wait
Your Medicare number is active before the physical card arrives. Quote your number at the clinic and you can still claim. Cards generally arrive within a few weeks. In the meantime, the digital card in your Medicare online account or the Express Plus Medicare app works as your interim Medicare card — show it at the clinic or add it to your phone’s wallet so you’re covered from day one.
Managing your Medicare through myGov
Linking Medicare to your myGov account keeps most of your admin in one place. Through your Medicare online account you can:
• Update your address, phone and bank details (so rebates reach the right account)
• Submit claims and track their progress
• View your immunisation history and other statements
You can also connect My Health Record (your online summary of key health information) and register for MyMedicare, a voluntary program that links you to a regular GP practice for more coordinated care. Prefer not to use myGov? You can still manage most things by phone or in person — but myGov is the quickest route.
Is Medicare free? Understanding the Medicare levy
Medicare isn’t strictly “free” — it’s funded mainly through the tax system. Most Australian taxpayers pay a Medicare levy of 2% of their taxable income. Low-income earners may pay a reduced levy or none at all, and if you’re not eligible for Medicare you can request a Medicare Entitlement Statement to claim an exemption.
The Medicare Levy Surcharge
Higher earners who don’t hold an appropriate level of private hospital cover may also pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) — an extra 1% to 1.5% on top of the levy. For 2025–26 it generally starts above $101,000 for singles and $202,000 for families (with higher thresholds for more children). Because the surcharge can cost more than a basic hospital policy, many higher earners take out private hospital cover to avoid it. Exact thresholds change each year, so check the ATO for current figures before deciding.
The Medicare Safety Net
If you face high out-of-pocket medical costs within a calendar year, the Medicare Safety Net can increase your rebates once you pass an annual threshold. Registering asa family (where applicable) can help you reach the threshold sooner.
Not tax advice. Levy and surcharge figures are general guidance for 2025–26 and change over time. Confirm current rates and thresholds with the ATO, and speak to a registered tax agent for advice on your situation.
Medicare vs private health insurance
A common question from new arrivals — especially those used to the NHS in the UK or a private system in the US — is whether Medicare is “enough.”
Medicare covers a lot, but as we’ve seen it leaves gaps: dental, optical, ambulance (in some states), most allied health, and private hospital treatment. Private health insurance fills those gaps. There are two broad types — hospital cover (for private hospital treatment and choice of doctor) and extras cover (for dental, optical, physio and similar).
For new permanent residents, the main reasons to consider private cover are:
• Avoiding the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you’re a higher earner
• Avoiding the Lifetime Health Cover loading — an extra2% added to hospital-cover premiums for each year you delay taking it out after age 31 (worth understanding early)
• Shorter waits and more choice for elective procedures
• Cover for everyday items Medicare doesn’t, like dental and glasses
Coming from the UK? Medicare is similar in spirit to the NHS but works differently —bulk billing, rebates and the levy are the key mechanics to learn. Coming from the US? Australia’s Medicare is far broader than the American programof the same name and is not age-restricted.
Sources & last verified
Information verified June 2026 against ServicesAustralia (servicesaustralia.gov.au), myGov, the Australian Taxation Office(ato.gov.au) and the AMA. Figures such as the Medicare levy, surcharge thresholds and the RHCA country list can change — confirm current details before each publish/update.
For new permanent residents, Medicare is one of the most valuable things your status unlocks — and one of the easiest to claim. Enrolment is free, it's quick through myGov, and your cover usually starts as soon as you're living in Australia, with no waiting period. Know what it covers (and the gaps private health fills), keep the Medicare levy in mind at tax time, and you'll have one of the biggest pieces of settling in sorted. If you're on a temporary visa, you now know exactly where you stand and what to do instead — whether that's relying on a reciprocal agreement, holding private cover, or requesting a Medicare Entitlement Statement. Either way, getting your healthcare organised early means one less thing to worry about as you build your life in Australia.
How do I apply for Medicare in Australia?
If you’re a permanent resident, enrol online through myGov (View and link services →Medicare → Link → Enrol), through the Express Plus Medicare app, or by sending the MS004 enrolment form to Medicare Enrolment Services. You’ll need your passport and proof of your permanent resident visa. Documents don’t need to becertified.
Who is not eligible for Medicare in Australia?
Tourists and most temporary visa holders from countries without a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement aren’t eligible, and neither are people who’ve lived overseas for more than 12 months (until they re-enrol). If you’re not eligible, you can request a Medicare Entitlement Statement for your tax return.
Can foreigners get Medicare in Australia?
In some cases,yes. Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens living in Australia can enrol. Visitors from the 11 Reciprocal Health Care Agreement countries —including the UK and Ireland — can access medically necessary care. Most other temporary visa holders need private health insurance instead.
Is Medicare free in Australia?
Not entirely —it’s funded through a 2% Medicare levy on most taxpayers’ income. But many services, such as bulk-billed GP visits and public hospital treatment as a public patient, cost you nothing at the point of care once you’re enrolled.
How much does Medicare cost?
There’s no fee to enrol. The cost is the Medicare levy — 2% of your taxable income for most residents — collected through your tax. Higher earners without private hospital cover may also pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge of 1–1.5%.
Can I use Medicare for dental?
Generally no.Medicare doesn’t cover most dental treatment for adults. Some children may beeligible for limited dental benefits under specific schemes, and public dental services exist with their own eligibility rules. For routine dental, most people use private extras cover or pay out of pocket.
How do I get a replacement Medicare card?
Order a replacement through your myGov Medicare online account, the Express Plus Medicare app, or by phoning Services Australia. You usually don’t need to visita service centre, and you can use your digital card in the meantime.
Can I access Medicare without myGov?
Yes. myGov is the quickest way to enrol and manage Medicare, but you can also enrol by mailing or emailing the MS004 form, and manage many tasks by phone or in personat a service centre.
What is the Medicare ‘80/20 rule’?
This is often misunderstood. The 80/20 rule is a compliance rule for doctors, not a patientcost rule — it relates to practitioners who provide very high volumes ofservices, which can trigger a review of their billing. It doesn’t change whatyou pay or what you’re covered for.
