At a Glance: Medicare Australia
| System Name | Medicare |
|---|---|
| Managed By | Services Australia |
| Primary Benefit | Free/Subsidized Healthcare & Medicines |
| Funding | Taxpayers (Medicare Levy 2%) |
| Emergency Number | 000 (Triple Zero) |
| Official Website | Services Australia |
Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme. Introduced in 1984, it guarantees all Australians (and some overseas visitors) access to a wide range of health and hospital services at little or no cost.
The system covers three major areas:
1. Hospital: Free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital.
2. Medical: Subsidized doctor visits (GPs and Specialists).
3. Pharmaceutical: Reduced cost medicines via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Understanding Your Card: Green, Blue, or Yellow?
Not all Medicare cards are the same. The color of your card signifies your eligibility status.
Green Card
For: Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Valid for 5 years. Gives full access to all Medicare services.
Blue Card
For: Applicants for permanent residency.
Also for eligible residents of Christmas Island or Norfolk Island. Valid for 1 year usually.
Yellow Card
For: Visitors from RHCA countries.
Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (e.g., UK, Italy, NZ). Valid for medically necessary treatment only.
What is "Bulk Billing"?
This is the most important term to know to save money.
- Bulk Billing: The doctor accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment. You pay $0.
- Private Billing: The doctor charges more than the scheduled fee. You pay the "Gap Fee" (the difference between the doctor's fee and the Medicare rebate).
Tip: Always ask "Do you bulk bill?" before booking an appointment. Many clinics bulk bill children and pensioners but charge a gap fee for other adults.
Find a Hospital (Official Search)
Australia has a robust network of public hospitals. As a Medicare holder, you can attend the Emergency Department (ED) of any public hospital for free.
Use the Official Government Directory (Healthdirect) to find approved hospitals, GPs, and specialists near you.
Locate Health Services Near You
Find the nearest public hospital, bulk-billing GP, or pharmacy using the Australian Government's Healthdirect tool.
Search Official Hospital Directory →The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Medicine can be expensive. The PBS is a government program that subsidizes prescription medication.
- General Patients: You pay up to a maximum co-payment (approx $31.60 in 2024/25) for most PBS medicines. The government pays the rest.
- Concession Card Holders: You pay a much lower rate (approx $7.70) per script.
- Safety Net: Once you spend a certain amount in a year, your medicines become free or cheaper for the rest of the year.
The Medicare Levy & Surcharge
Medicare is funded partly by taxpayers.
- Medicare Levy: Most taxpayers pay 2% of their taxable income to fund Medicare.
- Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS): High-income earners (e.g., singles earning over $93k) who do not have private hospital insurance must pay an extra 1% to 1.5% surcharge. This encourages high earners to take out private cover to reduce the load on the public system.