Medicare in Australia

Medicare is Australia's universal health scheme. It is run by Services Australia.

Service NSW does not deliver any Medicare-related services.

What is covered by Medicare

• Free or subsidised treatment by health professionals, such as doctors, specialists, optometrists and, in specific circumstances, dentists and other allied health professionals.
• Free treatment and accommodation for patients in a public hospital.
• 75% of the Medicare schedule fee for services and procedures for privately-insured patients in a public or private hospital. Hospital accommodation, theatre fees, medicines and certain other items are not covered.

Eligibility for Medicare

Australians and certain overseas visitors are eligible for free or subsidised health services through Medicare.

How to enrol

Claiming a Medicare benefit

The quickest way to make a claim is at your doctor’s office straight after you pay.

You can also claim a Medicare benefit online, by mail or in person at a Services Australia office.

To process a claim, you'll need to provide Services Australia with:

• a doctor's invoice for the service you want to claim
• proof of payment if you paid for the services in full.

Note: To make sure you're getting the benefits you're entitled to, check the bank account details linked to your Medicare account are up to date.

Replace a lost, stolen or damaged Medicare card

Medicare is Australia's universal health scheme – Service NSW does not deliver any Medicare related services.

If you lose your Medicare card or it gets damaged or stolen, you can replace it by:

• requesting a new card via your myGov account linked to Medicare, or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
• calling Medicare general enquiries on 132 011
• visiting a Medicare Service Centre with your proof of identity.

Use the Medicare levy calculator

You can use the online Medicare levy calculator to work out how much your Medicare levy will be, including any entitlement you may have to a reduction or exemption. It can calculate the levy for the past 10 tax years.

The calculator gives you an estimate only, as the exact amount can only be calculated when you lodge your income tax return.