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Referring newly arrived residents to Medicare 005-01050010

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This document outlines information to assist in referring newly arrived residents to make an application for Medicare. It outlines the eligibility for Medicare for a newly arrived resident; the documentation that they need to supply, and where the customer can be referred to for more information or to make an application.

Access to Medicare

Medicare is available to Australian residents, migrants, eligible New Zealand citizens, and applicants for permanent residency (conditions apply) with the Department of Home Affairs. Residents who are covered under a Ministerial Order may also be eligible for Medicare.

Applying for a Medicare card

Applications for a Medicare card must be made in person at a service centre that provides Medicare services. When making an application for enrolment into Medicare, newly arrived residents are required to supply a passport or official travel documents for each person enrolling, along with evidence of a valid visa.

Immunisation records

If the newly arrived resident or their children have had vaccines overseas they should have them added to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The AIR is a national register that records vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia. The AIR also provides the immunisation status for the assessment of family assistance and child care payments.

To have vaccinations administered overseas added to the AIR, records of these must be taken to an Australian vaccination provider. The vaccination provider will:

  • check if the overseas vaccinations match the relevant schedule
  • tell them how to catch up if they have missed vaccinations
  • update the AIR

The Resources page contains a link to information about adding overseas vaccinations to the AIR.

The Resources page contains links to contact details, the website and forms.

Eligibility and enrolments in Medicare

Document types for Medicare eligibility and enrolment

Medicare eligibility for customers with permanent resident status

Ministerial orders and Medicare eligibility

Applicants for permanent residency eligibility for Medicare