When you transition from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to civilian life, it is important to have a Medicare card. It helps you access Australia’s public health system.
After you leave Defence, Medicare becomes your main way to access subsidised medical services, including:
- GP (doctor) visits
- Public hospital treatment
- Some prescription medicines
Even if you hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card, you may still need Medicare for health care that is not covered by DVA.
What enrolling in Medicare means
To get a Medicare card, you need to enrol in Medicare. This is the official term Services Australia uses for applying for and receiving a Medicare card.
When to apply
You should apply for Medicare before leaving the ADF, or as soon as possible after discharge.
Applying early helps reduce the risk of a gap in your access to health care once Defence health services end.
How to apply
You can enrol in Medicare in one of the following ways:
- Online through myGov
This is the quickest option and allows you to track the progress of your application. - Using a Medicare enrolment form
This option is available if you are unable to apply online.
What you will need
When you apply, you will need to provide proof of identity and Australian residency, such as:
- An Australian passport
- A birth certificate
You can enrol:
- As an individual
- Include eligible family members on the same Medicare card.
Helpful links
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