How to Enrol in Medicare Australia (2026): Eligibility, Documents and New Migrant Guide

Medicare enrolment Australia 2026 guide explaining eligibility, required documents, myGov application and Medicare card setup for new migrants.

Last updated: July 2026  |  Reading time: 11 min

Quick Answer: How do new migrants enrol in Medicare?

Eligible Australian residents and some visa holders can enrol in Medicare online through myGov or by submitting a Medicare enrolment form with their supporting identity and visa documents.

  • Check that your citizenship or visa status is eligible.
  • Prepare your passport or ImmiCard and residency evidence.
  • Apply online through myGov where available.
  • Use the Medicare enrolment form if online enrolment is unavailable.
  • Link Medicare to myGov and add your digital card to the myGov app.

When you first move to Australia, Medicare can feel more complicated than it needs to be. You may know that it helps cover doctor visits and hospital treatment, but the difficult part is working out whether your visa is eligible, which documents you need and where the application actually goes.

The process is much easier once you separate it into three questions: Are you eligible?, what documents apply to your situation?, and should you enrol online or use the paper form?

This guide explains those steps for permanent residents, permanent residency applicants, New Zealand citizens, eligible temporary residents and visitors covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

What Is Medicare in Australia?

Medicare is Australia's universal health care system. If you are enrolled, Medicare may pay some or all of the cost of eligible medical services.

This may include GP and specialist appointments, certain tests and scans, some procedures, eligible public hospital treatment and assistance with certain prescription medicines.

Medicare does not mean every health service is free. A doctor may charge more than the Medicare benefit, leaving you with a gap payment. Some services are not covered by Medicare at all.

Who Can Enrol in Medicare?

🇦🇺

Australian citizens

Australian citizens living in Australia can generally enrol after providing evidence of identity and residency.

🛂

Permanent residents

People holding an Australian permanent resident visa can generally enrol while living in Australia.

📄

Permanent residency applicants

Some people who have applied for permanent residency or permanent protection may be eligible before the visa is granted, subject to additional conditions.

🇳🇿

New Zealand citizens

New Zealand citizens may enrol where they can show that they live, or intend to live, in Australia for the required period.

🪪

Some temporary residents

Certain valid temporary visas are covered by a Ministerial Order. Eligibility depends on the visa subclass and current conditions.

🌍

Visitors from agreement countries

Visitors from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country may receive limited medically necessary care while visiting Australia.

Temporary visa holders should not assume they are covered. Many temporary residents still need suitable private health insurance. Medicare eligibility depends on your exact visa and personal circumstances.

Can Permanent Residency Applicants Get Medicare?

Some people who have applied for permanent residency can enrol before their permanent visa is decided.

This may apply where you live in Australia and have applied for an eligible permanent residency or permanent protection visa. Additional conditions may apply, such as holding a visa that allows you to work or having an eligible Australian or New Zealand family connection.

Partner visa applicants: People applying through certain combined partner visa pathways may be eligible from the applicable permanent residency application date or, where the application was made overseas, from the date they arrived in Australia to live.
Parent visas can follow different rules. Applicants waiting for a parent visa should check their exact subclass and whether a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement or another exception applies.

Visitors Covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement

Australia currently has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the following countries:

  • Belgium
  • Finland
  • Italy
  • Malta
  • the Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • the Republic of Ireland
  • Slovenia
  • Sweden
  • the United Kingdom

Coverage is not identical for every country. The services available, documents required and length of cover depend on the specific agreement.

An RHCA is not a replacement for travel insurance. It may not cover ambulance costs, private hospital treatment, repatriation or every out-of-hospital medical service.

Documents You May Need

The exact documents depend on whether you are a permanent resident, permanent residency applicant, New Zealand citizen, temporary resident or RHCA visitor.

  • A current passport or ImmiCard
  • Current visa details
  • Evidence of permanent residence where applicable
  • Evidence that you applied for permanent residency where applicable
  • Proof that you live in Australia
  • Identity documents for children included in a family application
  • Birth certificates or relationship documents where requested
  • Additional documents required for your visa or RHCA category
For permanent residents: Services Australia generally asks for a current passport or ImmiCard and evidence of permanent residence from the Department of Home Affairs.
For permanent residency applicants: You may need your current passport or ImmiCard, visa information and proof that your permanent residency application was lodged.

How to Enrol in Medicare Online Through myGov

Eligible individuals and families can apply online through myGov and track the application.

  1. 1
    Create or sign in to your myGov account Go directly to my.gov.au and sign in. Avoid using links in unexpected emails or text messages.
  2. 2
    Start the Medicare enrolment application Choose the Medicare enrolment option and confirm whether you are applying as an individual or family.
  3. 3
    Enter your identity and residency information Provide your passport or ImmiCard details and the visa information requested from Department of Home Affairs records.
  4. 4
    Add eligible family members For children under 15, provide their details and identity documents. A person aged 15 or older may need to complete their part through their own myGov account using the application number.
  5. 5
    Upload documents and review everything carefully Check names, birth dates, visa details and your Australian mailing address before submitting.
  6. 6
    Submit and monitor your myGov account Watch your myGov inbox and application status in case Services Australia requests further information.
Check the official Medicare enrolment page →

How to Apply Using the Medicare Enrolment Form

If you cannot apply online, you can complete the Medicare enrolment form (MS004).

  1. 1
    Download the current MS004 form Use the form provided on the Services Australia website rather than an old copy from another website.
  2. 2
    Complete the form accurately Make sure names and personal details match your passport, ImmiCard and Home Affairs records.
  3. 3
    Attach your supporting documents Include the identity, visa and residency documents required for your category.
  4. 4
    Submit the application The form and documents can be sent to Medicare Enrolment Services using the submission methods shown on the official form page.
Email submission: If you submit the application by email, Services Australia asks applicants to include “Medicare enrolment” in the subject line. Check the current file size and format requirements before sending.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare may help cover

  • GP appointments
  • Specialist appointments
  • Eligible tests and scans
  • Some surgeries and medical procedures
  • Eligible public hospital treatment
  • Eye tests performed by optometrists
  • Some mental health services
  • Some prescription medicine costs through the PBS

Medicare generally does not cover

  • Ambulance services
  • Most dental treatment
  • Glasses and contact lenses
  • Hearing aids
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Most private hospital costs
  • Services that do not attract a Medicare benefit
Coverage and price are different questions. A service can be covered by Medicare but still leave you with an out-of-pocket gap if the provider charges more than the Medicare benefit.

Bulk Billing vs Paying a Gap

Billing method What happens Your possible cost
Bulk billing The health professional accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment and bills Medicare directly. Usually no out-of-pocket fee for the bulk-billed service.
Private billing The provider charges their own fee and Medicare may reimburse the applicable benefit. You may pay the difference between the provider fee and the Medicare benefit.

Not every doctor or service bulk bills. When booking an appointment, ask:

  • Do you bulk bill new patients?
  • Is every service during the appointment bulk billed?
  • What is the full appointment fee?
  • How much is the expected Medicare rebate?
  • Will I need to submit the claim myself?

How to Get and Use Your Medicare Card

After your enrolment is approved, you will receive a Medicare number and a physical card will be sent to the mailing address you provided.

You can also access a digital Medicare card through the myGov app after your Medicare service is linked.

  1. 1
    Open the official myGov app Sign in using your usual myGov credentials and security method.
  2. 2
    Open Wallet Select Wallet from the myGov app home screen.
  3. 3
    Add your Medicare card Select the plus icon and follow the instructions to add the supported digital card.
Check your bank details after enrolment. Correct bank account details help ensure eligible Medicare benefits are paid to the right account when a provider or patient claim is processed.

Medicare Safety Net for Families and High Medical Costs

Medicare Safety Nets can provide higher Medicare benefits for certain out-of-hospital services after eligible gap or out-of-pocket costs reach the relevant annual threshold.

Individuals without dependants are generally tracked automatically. Couples and families can register as a Medicare Safety Net family so their eligible costs can be combined.

The Safety Net does not make every service free. The provider's fee remains the same, but the Medicare benefit may increase for eligible services after the threshold is reached.

Common Medicare Enrolment Mistakes

  • Assuming every temporary visa automatically qualifies
  • Uploading expired passport or visa documents
  • Using a different spelling of your name from Home Affairs records
  • Failing to include documents for every family member
  • Using an outdated copy of the MS004 form
  • Assuming an RHCA provides full Medicare coverage
  • Forgetting to check myGov for requests for more information
  • Not updating your bank account and mailing address after enrolment

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Medicare before my permanent visa is granted?
Some permanent residency and permanent protection visa applicants may qualify before the final visa decision. Additional conditions apply, so check your application type and current visa details with Services Australia.
Can international students enrol in Medicare?
Most international students rely on Overseas Student Health Cover rather than Medicare. An exception may apply where the student is covered by an eligible Reciprocal Health Care Agreement or another specific rule.
Can working holiday visa holders get Medicare?
It depends on nationality, visa conditions and whether an applicable Reciprocal Health Care Agreement or Ministerial Order covers the person. Working holiday status alone does not guarantee Medicare eligibility.
Does Medicare cover ambulance services?
Medicare generally does not cover ambulance services. Ambulance cover differs between states and territories, so check the rules where you live and consider appropriate insurance where needed.
Does Medicare cover dental treatment?
Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care. Limited programs may apply to certain eligible patients or children, but ordinary dental treatment is normally outside standard Medicare coverage.
Is every GP appointment free with Medicare?
No. A GP visit may have no out-of-pocket cost where the doctor bulk bills. If the doctor privately bills, you may need to pay the full fee and receive a Medicare benefit, leaving a gap.
Can I enrol my whole family in one application?
Eligible families may apply together. Identity documents are required for children under 15. A family member aged 15 or older may need to use the application number and complete their details through their own myGov account.
Can I use a digital Medicare card immediately?
Once your enrolment and Medicare online access are active, you may be able to access the digital card through the myGov app while waiting for the physical card.

What to Do After Medicare Enrolment

  • Link Medicare to your myGov account
  • Add the digital Medicare card to the myGov app
  • Check your mailing address
  • Add or verify your bank account details
  • Find a local GP and ask about bulk billing
  • Register your couple or family for the Medicare Safety Net if relevant
  • Keep suitable private or ambulance cover where Medicare does not apply

Related Articles

Sources: Services Australia – Enrolling in Medicare , Services Australia – What Medicare Covers , Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute medical, migration, financial or legal advice. Medicare eligibility, document requirements, visa rules and covered services may change. Always confirm your circumstances with Services Australia, the Department of Home Affairs or an appropriately qualified professional.

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