What is Medicare?

Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. It gives Australians access to a wide range of health and hospital services at no cost or low cost.

Medicare is funded by Australian taxpayers.

When should I enrol my new baby in Medicare?

You should enrol your baby in Medicare soon after they are born.

Once your baby is on your Medicare card, they will be able to receive free or subsidised healthcare.

How do I add my baby to my Medicare card?

If your baby is less than 1 year old, you can register them using a Newborn Child Declaration form. You will have been given this form when your baby was born.

The back page of the form needs to be filled out and signed by a midwife or doctor. Submitting this form automatically enrols your baby in Medicare.

Where do I send the Newborn Child Declaration?

After you fill in the Newborn Child Declaration, send it in through your:

• Medicare online account through myGov
• Centrelink online account through myGov
• Express Plus Centrelink mobile app

What if I don't have a Newborn Child Declaration form?

If you don't have a Newborn Child Declaration form, you will need:

• your child's birth certificate
• a Medicare enrolment form

You can mail or email the form to Medicare. You do not need to get your supporting documents certified.

Are there other ways I can add my baby to my Medicare card?

You can also enrol your baby in Medicare online when you claim any of these payments:

• Family Tax Benefit, including Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
• Parental Leave Pay
• Dad and Partner Pay

You will need to use your completed Newborn Child Declaration form in your claim.

How long does it take for my baby to be added to my Medicare card?

It takes about 3 to 4 weeks to get a new Medicare card with your baby's name on it.

You can get a digital version of your Medicare card. To access it, sign into the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. You will need a myGov account to use the app.

Can I enrol my child in Medicare if they are older than 1 year?

If you need to register a child who is older than 1 year with Medicare, you will need:

• a Medicare enrolment form
• your child's birth certificate

Whose Medicare card should my baby be added to?

Your baby can be listed on 2 Medicare cards. For this to happen you need to complete another form called:

• Application to copy or transfer from one Medicare card to another form

How do I keep track of my baby’s vaccinations?

Enrolling your baby for Medicare will also add them to the Australian Immunisation Register. This register keeps track of your baby's vaccinations.

Can my baby get a My Health Record?

My Health Record is a secure online summary of your baby's health information. It allows you to share your baby's health information with doctors and other healthcare providers.

You can get a My Health Record for your newborn by:

• completing the Newborn Child Declaration form
• registering them for their My Health Record

My Health Record can help you manage your baby's health information including:

• vaccination records
• allergy information
• medicines they are taking

Do I need to register my baby for the Medicare Safety Net?

The Medicare Safety Nets give more money back to families that spend a lot on healthcare.

If your family is registered for the Medicare Safety Net, you will need to tell Medicare about your new baby. You can do this by:

• filling in the Medicare Safety Net registration and amendment for couples and families form
• calling Medicare on 132 011

What if I'm Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?

If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and you want to add your baby to your Medicare card, fill in: the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medicare enrolment and amendment form.

You will need someone to be a referee and sign the form. The form explains who a referee can be.

You can mail or email the form to Medicare Enrolment Services.

If you need help with the form, you can call the Indigenous access line on 1800 556 955.

How do I find a doctor for my newborn?

You can visit Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's health service finder to find local health services in your area.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Resources and support

Find out more about enrolling you baby in Medicare on the Services Australia website.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

If you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and you want to add your baby to your Medicare card, call the Indigenous access line on 1800 556 955.