Eligible people under Medicare

Medicare covers all people normally resident in Australia, except foreign diplomats and their dependants.

People who reside in Australia are eligible if they meet any of the following criteria:

• they hold Australian citizenship


• they have been issued with a permanent visa


• they hold New Zealand citizenship, or


• they have applied for a permanent visa; restrictions apply to persons who have applied for a parent visa (other requirements apply).

Visitors from countries with which Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements are covered in certain circumstances. Likewise, Australians visiting these countries are entitled to healthcare under their public health schemes. Agreements are currently in place with New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Malta and Ireland.

Children over 15 can have their own Medicare card.

Further details on eligibility and enrolment are available from Medicare Australia