You can still see a GP in Australia. What happens depends on your situation — find yours below.
If you are enrolled in Medicare, your GP can look up your Medicare number using your full name and date of birth through the Medicare system. You do not need the physical card to receive Medicare benefits or bulk billing.
To replace a lost or expired card: use the myGov app, log in to myGov, or call Services Australia on 132 011. A new card is typically posted within 5–10 business days.
Whether you can access Medicare depends on where you are from.
Citizens of the following countries visiting Australia are entitled to medically necessary services — including GP visits and public hospital treatment. You need to show your passport and home country health card or insurance card.
Source: Services Australia. Verify current agreements at servicesaustralia.gov.au before relying on this list.
You pay the full private fee set by the GP clinic. Fees vary by practice — typically $80–$180 for a standard consultation. Keep your receipt for travel insurance reimbursement.
New Zealand citizens living in Australia are entitled to full Medicare coverage — the same as Australian citizens. You need to enrol in Medicare to receive a card and access bulk billing.
To enrol: visit a Services Australia centre with your NZ passport, or apply online at servicesaustralia.gov.au. Processing typically takes 1–3 weeks. While waiting for your card, GPs can often process your Medicare claim retrospectively once your card arrives.
NZ citizens visiting Australia (not residing) are also covered under the reciprocal health agreement for medically necessary services.
Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to Medicare but must enrol to receive a card. If you have just arrived or been granted residency, apply for Medicare as soon as possible.
To enrol: Apply online through myGov, or visit a Services Australia service centre with identity documents and your visa. Processing can take 1–4 weeks.
While waiting for your card, some GPs can bulk bill if they can confirm your Medicare enrolment is in progress. Others will charge privately and you can claim the rebate retrospectively once your card arrives. Keep all receipts.
Most international students on a student visa (subclass 500) do not have Medicare. As a condition of your visa, you are required to hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your study.
OSHC covers GP visits, some specialist visits, hospital treatment, ambulance, and some prescription medicines. Present your OSHC card or membership number at the GP clinic.
OSHC does not work like Medicare bulk billing — most GPs will charge you upfront and you claim reimbursement from your OSHC insurer. Some university health centres bulk bill OSHC directly.
Working holiday visa holders (subclass 417 and 462) generally do not have Medicare. You pay the full private fee for GP visits.
Exception: If you are from a reciprocal health agreement country (UK, Ireland, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden) you are entitled to medically necessary services under the reciprocal agreement. Show your passport and home country health documentation.
Many working holiday travellers purchase travel insurance before arriving in Australia. Keep all medical receipts for reimbursement claims.
Newborns need to be added to a Medicare card before they have their own number. Until this is done, the GP can often process the claim using a parent’s Medicare number temporarily — ask the clinic.
To add a newborn: Apply through myGov, the myGov app, or by calling Services Australia on 132 011. You will need the birth certificate or birth registration certificate.
If you need to see a GP urgently before the baby is enrolled, the clinic will usually accommodate this — explain the situation to reception.