Enrolling in Medicare

Medicare is Australia's public health system. Most permanent residents, Australian citizens, and citizens of countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) can enrol.

Who's eligible

• Australian citizens, permanent residents, and people who've applied for most permanent visas.
• New Zealand citizens (different documents — see the dedicated page).
• People from RHCA countries (UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Malta, Italy) — you get limited Medicare access while visiting.
• Not generally eligible: 482 holders without a future PR application, working-holiday-makers from non-RHCA countries, student visa holders (you'll have OSHC instead).

How to enrol

• Online via myGov: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/enrolling-medicare
• Or in person at a Services Australia centre with your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of address.
• You can enrol any time in the first 6 months after arriving (longer if you become eligible later through visa grant).
• After approval, your Medicare card arrives by post in 1–3 weeks.

Common gotchas

• 482 holders are not eligible for Medicare unless they're from an RHCA country or they've lodged a permanent visa application. Don't budget around Medicare access.
• Medicare doesn't cover dental for most adults, doesn't cover most ambulance services in most states (Queensland and Tasmania are exceptions), doesn't fully cover specialists in private rooms. See Medicare and immunisation and dental costs.
• Bring two address-proof documents — utility bill, rental lease, bank statement.