What permanent residents need to enrol in Australia’s Medicare

Prepare two kinds of evidence for each person

The initial permanent resident route requires either a current passport or an ImmiCard, plus proof of permanent residence from the Department of Home Affairs. Services Australia asks for copies for every person being enrolled, including family members on the application. It does not require those copies to be certified. Source 1

Living overseas for more than 12 months changes the checklist

Services Australia says permanent residents who live overseas for more than 12 months need to enrol again when they return. That route requires a current passport for each person and two recent documents showing the family now lives in Australia. The residence documents must be dated within the previous six months. Source 1

Residence evidence can come from two countries

The return route allows two Australian documents or one Australian document and one from the country where you last lived. The examples include proof of an Australian job or bank account, and overseas evidence such as an ended lease or a closed bank account. If you do not have the listed evidence, Services Australia says to contact it about alternatives. Source 1

Choose online or the enrolment form

Services Australia offers online enrolment through myGov and a Medicare enrolment form for people who cannot use the online route. The form can be mailed or emailed with supporting evidence. The general enrolment guidance lists separate instructions for other citizenship and visa situations. Source 2

Sources

• Services Australia Medicare evidence for permanent residents
• Services Australia enrolment routes and submission instructions