Medicare #
Registering for Medicare as soon as possible helps ensure the Refugee Household can access healthcare and avoid unnecessary medical costs after arrival.
At a glance #
- Register for Medicare within one week of arrival.
- The SS415 form covers both income support and Medicare registration.
- Request a letter with the Household’s Medicare numbers while waiting for the physical card.
- Early registration helps avoid delays in accessing healthcare.
Registering for Medicare #
Community Supporter Groups should help the Refugee Household register for Medicare as soon as possible, ideally within one week of arrival.
Medical needs can arise unexpectedly. Even where a GP agrees to bulk bill or waive consultation fees, pathology, imaging and other diagnostic services may still incur costs if Medicare has not yet been established.
If urgent medical treatment is required before Medicare is active, the CSG may need to cover these costs initially. Depending on the healthcare provider, some costs may be reimbursed once the Household’s Medicare number has been issued.
Medicare application process #
A separate Medicare enrolment form is not required.
The following form is used to apply for both Services Australia income support and Medicare:
Claim for persons granted a Refugee, Humanitarian or Protection Visa (SS415)
Before the Medicare card arrives #
Physical Medicare cards can take several weeks to arrive.
At the initial Services Australia appointment, request a letter confirming each Household member’s Medicare number. This allows newcomers to access Medicare-funded healthcare while waiting for their card and also provides an additional form of identification.
“Early Medicare registration helps ensure healthcare is available when it is needed most.”
