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 this form in the Parent Pack you get from your midwife or hospital when your baby is born. The back page of the form needs to be filled out and signed by the midwife or doctor who was at your baby's birth. Submitting this form automatically enrols your baby in Medicare.

After you fill in the Newborn Child Declaration, send it in through one of the following:

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

You can also enrol your baby using your Centrelink online account when you claim any of these payments:

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

A new Medicare card with your baby's name on it will be sent to you in 3 to 4 weeks. You can get a digital version of the card straight away in your Express Plus Medicare app.

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

If you don't have a Newborn Child Declaration form, or if your baby is older than 1 year, you can use a Medicare enrolment application form. You will need your child's birth certificate and some supporting documents.

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

Read more on the Services Australia website.

What if I belong to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and you want to add your baby to your Medicare card, but you cannot send your identification documents, you should fill in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medicare enrolment and amendment form. You can also use this form to update your details.

You will need someone to be a referee and sign the form. The form explains who can sign as a referee. If you need help with the form, you can call the Indigenous access line on 1800 556 955 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm.

When should I enrol my newborn in Medicare?

It is a good idea to add your baby as soon as possible after they are born. Once your baby is on your Medicare card, they will be able to receive free or subsidised healthcare through Medicare.

Whose Medicare card should my baby be added to?

You can add your baby to both parents' Medicare cards. They can only be listed on 2 cards in total. You can use the application to copy or transfer from one Medicare card to another form.

What else should I consider when enrolling my baby in Medicare?

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 online. It can help you manage your baby's health information including vaccination records, allergy information and medicines they are taking. You can get a My Health Record for your newborn by answering the questions on the Newborn Child Declaration form in your newborn pack, or when you enrol your baby for Medicare.

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

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.

Resources and support

Call the Indigenous access line on 1800 556 955 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and you want to add your baby to your Medicare card.