Medicare Australia: Complete Guide for New Immigrants 2026

Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme, funded through the 2% Medicare levy on taxable income. Permanent residents are eligible to enrol from the day they arrive in Australia — but most temporary visa holders are not eligible unless their home country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is the publicly funded health system that gives eligible Australians and permanent residents access to subsidised medical services, free treatment as a public patient in public hospitals, and subsidised medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

For eligible patients, Medicare covers: GP consultations (often bulk-billed at no out-of-pocket cost), specialist consultations (with a patient gap), diagnostic imaging and pathology, and emergency treatment in public hospitals as a public patient. Medicare does not cover dental, most optical services, physiotherapy, or private hospital costs.

Medicare is administered by Services Australia. The Medicare card is the physical card you present at medical appointments to access benefits.

How does Medicare work in Australia?

Who is eligible:

• Australian citizens
• Permanent residents (from arrival date)
• New Zealand citizens residing in Australia
• Certain temporary visa holders under RHCA agreements (see below)
• Applicants who have applied for permanent residency and hold a bridging visa (in many cases)

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA): Australia has RHCAs with the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. Citizens of these countries visiting or residing in Australia can access Medicare for medically necessary treatment — but the scope varies by country. UK citizens, for example, get essentially the same entitlements as Australians.

Who is NOT eligible:

• Working holiday makers (417/462) — not eligible for Medicare
• Most student visa holders — not eligible unless from an RHCA country
• Visitor visa holders — not eligible (purchase travel insurance)
• Temporary skill visas (TSS 482) — not eligible unless from an RHCA country

Step-by-step: enrolling in Medicare

1. Check your eligibility. Confirm you hold a visa that grants Medicare access (permanent residency, RHCA country citizenship, or eligible bridging visa).
2. Gather documents. You will need your visa grant notice, passport, and proof of address in Australia.
3. Visit a Services Australia (Centrelink) service centre. Medicare enrolment cannot be done online for first-time applicants — you must attend in person.
4. Complete the Medicare enrolment form. Staff will process your application on the spot and issue an interim Medicare card.
5. Receive your Medicare card. A permanent card is mailed to your address within 2–4 weeks. Your Medicare number is active immediately.
6. Register for a myGov account and link Medicare to access your Medicare history, claims, and digital health record online.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming your work visa includes Medicare. Most temporary visas do not. Check explicitly before relying on Medicare for medical care.
• Presenting a Medicare card that has expired or no longer applies. If your visa status changes (e.g., you move from a bridging visa to a temporary visa), your Medicare eligibility may end. Notify Services Australia.
• Not getting private health insurance when ineligible for Medicare. If you are not eligible for Medicare, you should have private health insurance or travel insurance to cover medical costs. Australian private hospitals are expensive.
• Confusing the Medicare levy with Medicare eligibility. Some visa holders pay the Medicare levy as part of their income tax but are not actually eligible for Medicare benefits. This is a known inconsistency — you should still seek a Medicare levy exemption if you are not eligible for Medicare.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge? The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is an additional tax of 1%–1.5% levied on higher-income earners (above $93,000 for singles in 2025–26) who do not hold an appropriate level of private hospital insurance. It is separate from the standard 2% Medicare levy and is designed to encourage higher earners to take out private health cover and reduce pressure on the public system.

Can I apply for a Medicare levy exemption? Yes. If you are not eligible for Medicare (e.g., you are on a working holiday visa), you can claim a Medicare levy exemption when lodging your tax return. This prevents you from paying the 2% levy on income for which you receive no Medicare benefit. You apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement from Services Australia to support your claim.

Is bulk billing guaranteed? No. Bulk billing (where the GP bills Medicare directly and you pay nothing) is at the discretion of each practice. Bulk billing rates have declined in recent years, particularly in major cities. Many GPs now charge a gap fee on top of the Medicare rebate. Always ask whether a practice bulk bills before making an appointment.

Related calculator

Estimate whether you are liable for the Medicare Levy Surcharge based on your income and insurance status → Medicare Levy Surcharge Calculator