Skip to content | Skip to navigation
Medicare Australia - Australian Government
Let's talk about...

the Medicare Teen Dental Plan

Take our website survey

Frequently Asked Questions

I've lost my Medicare card, how do I get a new one?

If you have lost your Medicare Card and your address has not been changed in the last four weeks, you can request a replacement card by:

  • using our online services (your address must be up-to-date with Medicare before you can register for Online services)
  • calling Medicare on 132 011
  • visiting your local Medicare officeExternal link
  • posting a request to Medicare, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, driver’s licence.

If you have changed your address in the last four weeks, it is necessary to attend a Medicare office with proof of identity (for example, passport or driver's licence). If the expiry date on your card has lapsed by more than six months, you will also need to visit your local Medicare office with proof of identity and you may be required to provide residency documents (for example, rates notice, rental contract, employment contract).

If you are residing or holidaying overseas, your Medicare card cannot be reissued to you until you return to Australia.

My Medicare card has expired, how do I get a new one?

On your Medicare card there is an expiry date on the bottom right hand corner. If your Medicare card has recently expired and you have not changed your address in the past four weeks, a replacement card may be requested by:

  • using our online services (your address must be up-to-date with Medicare before you can register for online services)
  • calling Medicare on 132 011
  • visiting your local Medicare officeExternal link
  • posting a request to Medicare, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, your driver's licence.

If you have changed your address in the past four weeks, you need to visit a Medicare office with proof of identity (for example, passport or your driver's licence). If the expiry date has lapsed by more than six months, you will also need to visit your local Medicare office with proof of identity and you may be required to provide residency documents (for example, your rates notice, rental contract or employment contract).

Where is my closest Medicare office and what hours is it open?

Find your closest Medicare officeExternal link

How do I change my address?

It is important that you keep your address up-to-date with us. If we do not have your current address, you may not receive important information which could cause delays in processing claims for Medicare benefits.

You can change your address by:

  • using our online services
  • calling Medicare on 132 011
  • visiting your local Medicare officeExternal link
  • posting a request to Medicare, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, driver’s licence.

How do I add my new baby or partner to my Medicare card?

You cannot add your new baby or partner to your card over-the-phone.

To add a new baby to your card you will need to go to your Medicare office and complete a Newborn Child Claim for Family Assistance and Medicare form and supply Acceptable Identification Documents. If you cannot get to your Medicare office you can request a form by calling Medicare on 132 011, then post the completed form with certified copies of the Acceptable Identification Documents to Medicare, GPO Box 9822, in your capital city.

To add your partner to your Medicare card you will need to go to your Medicare office and complete a Copy/Transfer Application form [PDF, 60Kb]PDF reader required. If you cannot get to your Medicare office you need to post a completed form to Medicare, GPO Box 9822, in your capital city. A Copy/Transfer Application forms must be signed by both the card holder and the person being transferred. Copy/Transfer Application forms [PDF, 60Kb]PDF reader required are also available from your Medicare office or you can request a form to be posted to you by calling 132 011.

How is my Medicare rebate calculated?

When Medical services are provided outside hospital, Medicare usually pays 85 per cent of the Schedule fee other than for GP services. The patient pays the difference between the Schedule fee and the rebate (known as the 'gap'), plus the difference between the Schedule fee and the practitioner's charge (if the practitioner decides to charge above the schedule fee).

The Schedule fees are uniform across Australia and are determined by the Department of Health and Ageing in consultation with professional bodies. Medicare benefits are based on a percentage of the Schedule fee for each service as listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Practitioners are able to charge fees they consider suitable for the services they provide, however, any extra amount about the Schedule fee will not be included in the calculation of Medicare benefits.

How do I get a Medicare tax statement? And how long will it take to get?

You can request a tax statement by any one of the following methods:

Online via Online Services

To download a copy of your Medicare benefit tax statement from our website, visit our Online Services section. You will need to be registered for online services. If you’re not, you can register now. Once you have registered, and received your password, you will be able to download a copy of your Medicare benefit tax statement to:

  • keep for your personal records
  • give to your accountant
  • lodge with your paper tax return

You can also request your Medicare benefit tax statement by completing a Medicare benefit tax statement request form. A copy of your Medicare benefit tax statement will be mailed to your address recorded with Medicare.

Request via ATO eTax application

You can request a Medicare tax statement for the previous financial year using eTax. If you are not lodging your tax return online, you can print or save your Medicare tax statement using the Medicare Tax Statement Online function in eTax. If you are lodging your tax return online, you can choose to have your Medicare tax statement details downloaded into your tax return. You can still print the Medicare tax statement if you wish.

For more details go to Medicare tax statement information page.

Request by Mail

You can send your completed request form by mail, to the Release of Information Officer, Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city (do not send your Medicare card when you request by mail). You will then receive your financial tax statement which will be posted to the address currently registered with Medicare for your card number.

Request by Telephone

Telephone services are available by calling 132 011 for the cost of a local call. A Medicare operator will request the following details: Your Medicare card number, your personal details, personal details of the persons who are requiring a statement Applicable financial year for the statement(s)

I've lost my cheque, how do I get a new one?

A replacement can be issued for a lost cheque if it is more than 21 days from the date of issue and the cheque has not been presented. Call 132 011 to speak with a Medicare operator about stopping the old cheque, and requesting a reissued cheque. The operator will provide you with the old cheque number. Once a new cheque has been reissued the old cheque is no longer valid. If the old cheque is found it should not be banked as charges not payable by Medicare will be incurred.

I have just arrived in Australia, can I get a Medicare card?

If you are visiting Australia you can find out what health services are available in the Travelling Overseas section of this site.

If you are a new arrival to Australia you can find out what health services are available to you including a Welcome kit to download that contains health information in the Australian health services for new arrivals section of this site.

Some documents on this page may require the free Adobe PDF reader.

Last updated: 26 June, 2008

back to top