Medicare Eligibility for New Migrants: Who Qualifies
The 2% Medicare levy funds Australia's public health system, but not every new migrant is eligible to use it. Permanent residents can enrol in Medicare from the moment they arrive in Australia. Most temporary visa holders cannot access Medicare unless their home country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia.
If you hold a permanent residence visa (subclass 189, 190, 191, or family sponsorship visas), you are eligible to enrol immediately. You do not need to wait any length of time. Walk into any Services Australia centre with your passport and proof of address, and you can receive a Medicare number on the spot. The physical Medicare card arrives by post within three to four weeks.
Temporary visa holders face a different situation. Student visa holders, skilled temporary visa holders, and working holiday visa holders are not eligible for Medicare. This includes people on subclass 500 (student), subclass 482 (skilled migration), subclass 491 (skilled independent), and subclass 417 or 462 (working holiday) visas. Instead, they must arrange private health insurance or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before arriving.
A small number of temporary visa holders do qualify if their country has an RHCA with Australia. Countries with agreements include the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and several others. If you hold a visa from one of these countries, you may be eligible even on a temporary visa. Check the Services Australia website to confirm your country's status.
What Medicare Covers for Eligible Migrants
Medicare coverage is straightforward once you are enrolled. GP consultations are covered. Many GPs bulk-bill, meaning the cost is paid directly to the doctor by Medicare and you pay nothing out of pocket. Some GPs charge a gap fee on top of the Medicare rebate, so it is worth asking when you book.
Specialist consultations are covered, but usually with a patient gap. Medicare pays a rebate, and you pay the difference between the rebate and the specialist's fee. The gap can range from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on the specialist and the complexity of the consultation.
Diagnostic imaging and pathology tests (blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans) are covered. These are typically bulk-billed by the imaging centre or pathology lab, so you pay nothing.
Emergency treatment in public hospitals is covered as a public patient. You will not receive a bill for emergency department visits, surgery, or hospital stays in a public ward. If you choose to be treated as a private patient in a public hospital, you will be charged.
Dental, optical, and hearing services are not covered by Medicare. You must pay for these privately or through private insurance. Prescription medications are subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which is separate from Medicare but available to eligible residents.
The Medicare Levy: 2% of Your Taxable Income
Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you pay the Medicare levy as part of your tax. The levy is 2% of your taxable income. If you earn $60,000 per year, you pay $1,200 in Medicare levy. If you earn $100,000, you pay $2,000.
The levy is collected automatically by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) when you lodge your tax return. You do not pay it separately or in advance. It is deducted from your tax refund or added to your tax bill.
Some people are exempt from the Medicare levy. Low-income earners may be exempt if their income falls below the threshold. Temporary visa holders who are not eligible for Medicare do not pay the levy. If you are unsure whether you are exempt, contact the ATO or Services Australia.
Medicare Levy Surcharge for High Earners
If you earn above a certain threshold and do not hold private hospital insurance, you pay an additional Medicare levy surcharge. This surcharge scales from 1% to 1.5% of your income depending on how far above the threshold you sit.
The surcharge is designed to encourage higher earners to take out private hospital insurance. If you hold an eligible private hospital insurance policy (generally one with an excess no higher than $750 for singles or $1,500 for families, as at 2026) for the full period your income is above the threshold, you avoid the surcharge entirely.
The income thresholds change each financial year. For the most current thresholds, check the Services Australia website or contact the ATO directly. The surcharge applies to Australian residents and permanent visa holders, not temporary visa holders.
How to Enrol in Medicare as a New Migrant
Enrolment is simple and free. Visit your nearest Services Australia centre with the following documents:
- Your passport or travel document
- Proof of address in Australia (a utility bill, rental agreement, or letter from your employer)
- Your visa grant letter or proof of permanent residence
You can enrol online through the Services Australia website if you have an Australian phone number and email address. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will receive a temporary Medicare number immediately, and the physical card arrives within three to four weeks.
If you are enrolling as a dependent (for example, a child or spouse), you will need to provide proof of the relationship. A birth certificate or marriage certificate is usually sufficient.
Once enrolled, you can use your Medicare number at any GP, hospital, or diagnostic centre in Australia. Your number is linked to the Medicare system, so you do not need to carry the physical card, though it is useful to have.
Private Health Insurance for Temporary Visa Holders
If you are on a temporary visa and not eligible for Medicare, you must arrange private health insurance before arriving in Australia. Student visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). This is a requirement of your student visa condition.
OSHC costs between $400 and $800 per year depending on the provider and level of cover. It covers GP visits, specialist consultations, hospital stays, and emergency treatment. Your education provider will help you arrange OSHC during the enrolment process.
Skilled temporary visa holders and working holiday visa holders should arrange private health insurance through a commercial provider. Policies are available from companies like Bupa, Medibank, and nib. Costs vary widely, but basic cover starts around $100 per month.
Private health insurance is not optional for temporary visa holders. Without it, you will be liable for the full cost of any medical treatment, which can be thousands of dollars for a hospital stay or emergency surgery.
Useful Official Sources
- Services Australia Medicare information and enrolment
- Department of Home Affairs visa and eligibility information
- Australian Taxation Office Medicare levy and surcharge details
- MoneySmart health insurance comparison and advice
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Medicare as a student visa holder in Australia?
No, student visa holders are not eligible for Medicare. You must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as a condition of your visa. OSHC is arranged through your education provider and costs between $400 and $800 per year.
How long does it take to get a Medicare card after enrolling?
You receive a temporary Medicare number on the spot when you enrol at a Services Australia centre. The physical Medicare card arrives by post within three to four weeks. You can use your number immediately at any GP or hospital.
Do I pay for GP visits under Medicare?
Most GP visits are bulk-billed, meaning Medicare pays the doctor directly and you pay nothing. Some GPs charge a gap fee on top of the Medicare rebate, so ask when you book. Specialist visits usually have a patient gap of $50 to several hundred dollars.
What is the Medicare levy and how much do I pay?
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, collected by the ATO when you lodge your tax return. If you earn $60,000, you pay $1,200 in levy. High earners without private hospital insurance also pay a surcharge of 1% to 1.5%.
Which countries have reciprocal health agreements with Australia?
Countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements include the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Belgium. Citizens of these countries may be eligible for Medicare even on a temporary visa. Check Services Australia to confirm your country's status.
Are dental and optical services covered by Medicare?
No, dental, optical, and hearing services are not covered by Medicare. You must pay for these privately or through private insurance. Prescription medications are subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
What documents do I need to enrol in Medicare?
You need your passport, proof of address in Australia (utility bill or rental agreement), and your visa grant letter or proof of permanent residence. You can enrol at a Services Australia centre or online if you have an Australian phone number and email.
Do I need private health insurance if I have Medicare?
Private health insurance is optional if you have Medicare, but high earners without it pay a Medicare levy surcharge of 1% to 1.5% of income. If you hold eligible private hospital insurance (excess no higher than $750 for singles), you avoid the surcharge.
This is general information only. It is not legal, migration, financial, tax, medical, or professional advice. Always check official sources before acting.