Update your details and request a new or replacement Medicare card

Request a new Medicare card

To request a new Medicare card call 132 011, visit your local Medicare office or order one online through our Online Services. If you’re not registered for Online Services, register now.

Medicare cards for people 15 years of age or older

A young person 15 years of age or older can get their own Medicare card. To transfer a person 15 years of age or older onto a Medicare card of their own they will need to visit a Medicare office with identification and complete a Medicare Copy/Transfer Application form [PDF, 164Kb].

Note: if a parent wants to do this on behalf of the young person the young person and the parent will need to complete the Medicare Copy/Transfer Application form [PDF, 164Kb].

Application for a replacement Medicare card

How do I get a duplicate Medicare card?

A duplicate Medicare card can be requested by:

• calling 132 011
• visiting your local Medicare office (a form is not required)
• sending a request to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city (a form is not required).  You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, your driver's licence
• using our Online Services. If you’re not already registered for Online Services, register now.

How do I get a replacement Medicare card?

On your Medicare card there is an expiry date on the bottom right hand corner. If your Medicare card has recently expired and you have not updated your address with Medicare Australia in the past four weeks, a replacement Medicare card can be requested by:

• calling 132 011
• visiting your local Medicare office (a form is not required)
• sending a request to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city (a form is not required). You will need to attach a certified copy of identification, for example, your driver's licence
• using our Online Services. If you’re not already registered for Online Services, register now.

Note: if the expiry date on your Medicare card has lapsed by more than six months, you will need to visit your local Medicare office. You will need to provide proof of identity, for example, a passport or driver's licence, and you may be required to provide proof of residency, for example, a rates notice, rental contract or employment contract.

If you are residing or holidaying overseas, your Medicare card cannot be reissued until you return to Australia.

How do I update my Medicare card details?

Changes such as change of name, gender or date of birth must be done in person at your local Medicare office. Documentation that supports the change will be required.

Adding a newborn, copying children from one Medicare card to another and transferring person/s from one Medicare card to another must be done in person at your local Medicare office.

How do I update my address?

It is important you keep your address details up-to-date with Medicare Australia. If we do not have your current address, you may not receive important information from us which could cause delays in processing claims for Medicare benefits.

You can change your address by:

• calling 132 011
• visiting your local Medicare office (a form is not required)
• sending the address change to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city (a form is not required)
• using our Online Services. If you’re not already registered for Online Services, register now.

How do I change my name?

To change your name you will need to visit your local Medicare office with your current Medicare card and appropriate documents to show that you are now known by a different name in the community.

Appropriate documents are:

• current driver’s licence
• birth certificate
• marriage certificate
• legal document
• utility accounts.

Once your name has been changed, the old Medicare card is cancelled and kept by Medicare Australia. You will be given your new Medicare card number to use until you receive your new Medicare card in the mail.

In extreme cases, if you live in a remote area or cannot reasonably visit, you can send a signed request including certified copies of the above documents and your current Medicare card to Medicare Australia, GPO Box 9822 in your capital city. 

Until your new Medicare card arrives in the mail it is important you record your old Medicare card number for Medicare claiming purposes.

For more information call 132 011.

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Last updated: 18 March, 2010