How to Apply for Medicare with a 491 Visa

If you’re planning to move to Australia using the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491 as your stepping stone, you might have heard about your eligibility to apply for Medicare, which is Australia’s comprehensive healthcare scheme. 

The 491 visa is a provisional visa designed for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia for up to five (5) years. It’s part of the government’s initiative to encourage population growth, skilled workforce expansion, and economic development outside the major urban centres.

This post will guide you through the process of applying for Medicare on a 491 visa in order for you to have access to healthcare services while in Australia temporarily.

Overview of Medicare and 491 Visa

Medicare is Australia’s public healthcare system that provides access to a wide range of healthcare or medical treatment services at little to no cost. Medicare is typically available to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and some temporary residents covered by a Ministerial Order, including 491 visa holders.

Other eligible individuals who can apply for Medicare benefits include holders of certain humanitarian visas, such as:

• Witness Protection (Trafficking) Temporary visa (subclass 787)
• Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (subclass 786)
• Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785)
• Humanitarian Stay (temporary) visa (subclass 449)
• Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)

It is also available for holders of: 

• Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173, 143, 884, 864)
• Removal Pending Bridging visa (subclass 070)
• Unauthorised maritime arrivals holding a Bridging E (Class WE) visa
• Secondary Movement Offshore Entry visa XB (subclass 447)
• Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa (subclass 491)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional visa (subclass 494)

Fulbright scholars, de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents, as well as those under Support for Victims of People Trafficking Program, can also apply for Medicare.

Medicare Eligibility Can Now Be Extended Online

According to Services Australia from 8th March 2025, eligible temporary visa holders can now extend their Medicare enrolment online through their Medicare online account.

This new update simplifies the process and saves you from submitting forms by mail or email. If your 491 visa is still valid and your current enrolment period is ending, you can log into your Medicare online account through myGov to submit a request for extension.

This enhancement provides more flexibility for temporary residents and ensures there is no gap in Medicare coverage due to lapsed enrolments. Make sure your details are up-to-date in your Medicare online account to use this feature.

Documents to Submit to Medicare

Enrolling for Medicare benefits can be relatively easy if you know the proper documents to submit and how to submit them. To successfully enrol in Medicare, you will need to gather these documents to verify your identity and visa status. Here is what you will mainly need:

• An accomplished Medicare enrolment form.
• Your passport, travel document, or ImmiCard (in lieu of a passport)
• Evidence of a valid visa from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

If you have dependents applying with you, Medicare will need copies of these documents for each applicant you want to enrol. Making your documents ‘certified’ is not necessary.

Medicare also highly advises that If you don’t have these documents, you must notify them. Medicare can help you explore other alternatives.

How to Enrol in Medicare for 491 Visa Holders

The first thing you have to know is you can apply either by email or mail (paper) and submit your documents to Medicare Enrolment Services. 

Importantly, you must include ‘enrolment’ in the subject line if you’re submitting your application via email. Also, your documents must meet these requirements:

• Uploaded in PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF or BMP
• Accessible, meaning not password protected, or in a WinZip/RAR file
• Not be larger than 5MB for each document/form
• Not be larger than 10MB for ALL documents

Enrolling as a family? If this is the case, you are required to designate or nominate a ‘contact person’ for the family Medicare card application. All the cards and other details will be sent to this contact person. If applying alone, you’re automatically the contact person.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide to help you enrol in Medicare as a 491 visa grantee:

• Complete the enrolment form: Download and fill out the Medicare enrolment application form available online.
• Collect your documents: Assemble all the required documents or copies.
• Submit application via your preferred method: Some people do it the traditional way of mailing for security, while others do it by email for convenience. Either way, make sure to submit all the required documents.
• Receive your Medicare card: The standard processing time is within 3-4 weeks. You should be able to receive your card and other information you need within this timeframe, unless your application was incomplete and/or inaccurate.

Once officially enrolled, you can start using Medicare to help cover many healthcare costs, including visits to the doctor, buying prescription medicines, and hospitalisation expenses.

If you prefer emailing your application, email it to: mes@servicesaustralia.gov.au

If you prefer mailing your application, mail it to:

Services Australia

Medicare Enrolment Services

PO Box 7856

Canberra BC ACT 2610

For more information, visit the official website of Services Australia at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/

Need Help With Your Australian Visa Requirements?

Need a professional hand to help with your Australian visa application? Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers is a team of migration specialists based in Sydney. We’ve helped countless individuals attain their permanent visa and citizenship dreams. 

Book a consultation with us by giving us a call at 02 9286 8700 or send an email to ppmail@ppilaw.com.au for your immediate immigration concerns. Speak to one of our Sydney visa experts very soon!