How to Enrol Your Newborn Baby in Medicare in Australia
Enrol an Australian-born newborn in Medicare using myGov, the Newborn Child Declaration or a family payment claim. Check proof of birth, Medicare card and processing details.
AU Australia
Family ~ 8 min read
8 FAQ
Updated 2026-10-02
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Enrol your newborn in Medicare as soon as possible. If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov and your baby was born in Australia, you can enrol them online and upload proof of birth. You can also enrol your baby when claiming Family Tax Benefit or Parental Leave Pay, or use the Newborn Child Declaration from your hospital or midwife. Services Australia says online newborn enrolment can take up to 14 business days to process.
What you need
- Your newborn must be eligible for Medicare. The standard online newborn process is available when the baby was born in Australia.
- Have your Medicare online account linked to myGov if enrolling through the online newborn service.
- Provide proof of birth. The hospital or midwife normally provides a Parent Pack containing a Newborn Child Declaration, which a doctor or midwife signs on the last page.
- If you have lost the Newborn Child Declaration, provide another accepted proof of birth, such as the child's birth certificate or other evidence accepted by Services Australia.
- If you are still listed on the same Medicare card as your parents, transfer to your own Medicare card before enrolling your baby.
- If you are claiming Family Tax Benefit or Parental Leave Pay for the newborn, you can enrol the baby in Medicare as part of that family payment claim instead of completing a separate Medicare enrolment.
Eligibility
This procedure covers enrolling a newborn baby in Medicare, primarily where the baby was born in Australia. Services Australia treats a newborn as a child aged up to 52 weeks, or up to their first birthday. A baby born overseas follows a different Medicare enrolment process and cannot use the standard online newborn enrolment service. Adoption and surrogacy circumstances also have specific supporting-document requirements.
How to do it
- Get the Parent Pack from your hospital or midwife and keep the Newborn Child Declaration as proof of birth. A doctor or midwife must sign the declaration on the last page.
- If you are claiming Family Tax Benefit or Parental Leave Pay, submit the newborn information and proof of birth through your Centrelink claim. Services Australia can enrol the baby in Medicare as part of that claim.
- If you are not claiming a family payment, sign in to myGov and open your linked Medicare account, then select the service to enrol a newborn.
- Confirm your details, indicate that the baby was born in Australia and enter your relationship to the baby.
- Enter the baby's details. You can still enrol a newborn who has not yet been given a first name.
- Upload the required proof of birth. If enrolling multiple babies, provide proof of birth for each baby.
- Choose whether to add the baby to another person's Medicare card where applicable. That person must consent before the baby can be added to their card.
- Review the information and declaration, submit the enrolment and keep the Application ID provided after successful submission.
- Allow up to 14 business days for online enrolment processing. Once the baby is enrolled, the updated Medicare card is available online straight away and the physical replacement card can take up to 4 weeks to arrive by post.
When should you enrol your newborn in Medicare?
Services Australia says you should enrol your newborn baby in Medicare as soon as possible. For this process, a newborn is a child aged up to 52 weeks, or up to their first birthday.
Once enrolled, your baby is added to your Medicare card and the Australian Immunisation Register. Services Australia sends an updated Medicare card after enrolment is completed.
If you are currently on the same Medicare card as your parents, you need to transfer to your own Medicare card before enrolling your baby. The Helpydo guide on how to get your own Medicare card and number explains that separate process.
What proof of birth do you need?
After the birth, your hospital or midwife normally gives you a Parent Pack containing a Newborn Child Declaration. A doctor or midwife must sign the declaration on the last page. You can use it as proof of your child's birth when enrolling the baby in Medicare.
If you lose the Newborn Child Declaration, you can still enrol your baby. Services Australia accepts other proof of birth for the Medicare enrolment process, including:
- a birth certificate
- another Australian Government document verifying the child's name and date of birth
- a letter from the doctor or midwife who attended the birth.
If you use a doctor or midwife letter, Services Australia requires it to include details of the child's parents; the child's name, date and place of birth; and the doctor or midwife's signature, qualifications, contact information and registration number.
How do you enrol your baby online through myGov?
If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can use the online newborn enrolment service when your baby was born in Australia.
Sign in to myGov or the myGov app, select Medicare and choose Enrol a newborn from Services. The online process asks you to confirm your details, enter the baby's information and upload proof of birth.
You can enter the baby's date of birth, family name and sex. If your baby has not yet been named, you can still complete the enrolment. Services Australia can temporarily add the child to your Medicare card as 'NEWBORN FAMILY NAME' until you provide their first name.
During online enrolment, you can also choose whether to register your baby for a My Health Record and whether to add the baby to your Medicare Safety Net family.
How do you upload the supporting documents?
The online service requires proof of birth before you can continue. Services Australia accepts uploads in PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG or BMP format, with each file less than 5 MB.
If you are enrolling more than one baby, you need proof of birth for each baby. Services Australia may request additional documents depending on your circumstances.
What if you are claiming Family Tax Benefit or Parental Leave Pay?
You do not need to complete a separate Medicare newborn enrolment if you enrol the baby while claiming an eligible Centrelink family payment. Services Australia can enrol your baby when you claim:
- Family Tax Benefit, including Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
- Parental Leave Pay.
Use the completed Newborn Child Declaration as proof of birth for the family payment claim. When Services Australia processes the claim, it can enrol your baby in Medicare, add the baby to your Medicare card and add them to the Australian Immunisation Register.
If you need information about the payment itself, see how to claim Family Tax Benefit or how to claim Parental Leave Pay. These payments have their own eligibility rules and are separate from Medicare eligibility.
Can you enrol with the Newborn Child Declaration without claiming a payment?
Yes. If you are not claiming a family payment, you can use the Newborn Child Declaration to enrol your baby in Medicare. You can upload it through your linked Medicare online account, use the myGov app, or follow the submission options provided by Services Australia.
The declaration can also be used for Medicare Safety Net enrolment and, subject to the applicable registration rules, My Health Record. Only the birth mother can register a newborn for My Health Record using the Newborn Child Declaration.
What if you do not have the Newborn Child Declaration?
If the declaration is lost or unavailable, you can use the Medicare enrolment form (MS004) to enrol your newborn. Send the completed form and the required supporting documents to Medicare Enrolment Services using the submission method specified on the form.
Supporting documents sent with the Medicare enrolment form do not need to be certified. Services Australia also provides online newborn enrolment where you meet the online eligibility conditions.
Can your baby be on both parents' Medicare cards?
Yes. A baby can be listed on up to 2 Medicare cards. During the online newborn enrolment process, you can request to add the baby to another person's card, such as the other parent or a full-time carer.
You provide the other person's name and contact number, and you can provide their Medicare card number. Services Australia contacts that person because they must consent before the baby is added to their Medicare card.
How long does newborn Medicare enrolment take?
For an online newborn application, Services Australia says it can take up to 14 business days to process the enrolment.
After your baby is enrolled, the updated Medicare card is available online straight away. Services Australia says a new Medicare card can take up to 4 weeks to arrive by post. Its general newborn guidance also describes physical card delivery as around 3 to 4 weeks.
Keep the Application ID shown after submitting an online enrolment so you have a record of the application.
What if your baby was born overseas?
The standard online newborn enrolment service is only for babies born in Australia. If your baby was born overseas, follow the separate Medicare enrolment requirements for an overseas-born child.
The documents and process depend on the parent's status and circumstances. For example, Services Australia has specific requirements for Australian citizens and permanent residents returning with a child born overseas. Do not use the Australian-born newborn process as a substitute for those requirements.
What about adoption or surrogacy?
Adoption and surrogacy have separate supporting-document rules. For a surrogacy arrangement, Services Australia says you can enrol the baby when the arrangement is finalised and provide either a parentage order or a birth certificate showing your name as the child's parent.
If the arrangement is not yet finalised, Services Australia advises contacting it to discuss the available options. Adopted children also follow the specific Medicare process for adoption rather than the standard newborn proof-of-birth route.
What happens after enrolment?
Services Australia adds your baby to your Medicare card and to the Australian Immunisation Register. Your updated card becomes available digitally after enrolment and a replacement physical card is sent to you.
You may later need your baby's immunisation information for family assistance or other purposes. The separate Helpydo procedure explains how to get an Australian Immunisation History Statement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enrol my newborn in Medicare online?
Yes. If your baby was born in Australia and your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can use the Medicare online service to enrol your newborn and upload proof of birth.
Do I need my baby's birth certificate to enrol them in Medicare?
Not necessarily. The Newborn Child Declaration from your hospital or midwife can be used as proof of birth. If you lose it, a birth certificate or other evidence accepted by Services Australia can be used.
Can I enrol my baby in Medicare before choosing a first name?
Yes. The online service allows you to enrol an unnamed newborn. Services Australia can display the child as 'NEWBORN FAMILY NAME' on the Medicare card until you provide their first name.
How long does it take to enrol a newborn in Medicare?
Services Australia says an online newborn enrolment can take up to 14 business days to process. After enrolment, the updated Medicare card is available online straight away and the physical card can take up to 4 weeks to arrive by post.
Do I need to enrol my baby separately if I claim Family Tax Benefit or Parental Leave Pay?
No. Services Australia can enrol your baby in Medicare as part of your Family Tax Benefit or Parental Leave Pay claim when you provide the required newborn information and proof of birth.
Can my newborn be listed on both parents' Medicare cards?
Yes. A baby can be listed on up to 2 Medicare cards. The other person must consent before the baby is added to their card.
Can I use the online newborn service if my baby was born overseas?
No. Services Australia says the online newborn enrolment service is only for babies born in Australia. Overseas-born babies follow a separate Medicare enrolment process.
What if I lost the Newborn Child Declaration?
You can still enrol your baby. You can use the online service if eligible or complete the Medicare enrolment form (MS004) and provide accepted proof of birth, such as a birth certificate or other evidence specified by Services Australia.
Official sources
Services Australia - Enrolling your baby in MedicareServices Australia - Medicare online account help: Enrol a baby in MedicareServices Australia - Medicare enrolment form (MS004)Services Australia - Add someone to a Medicare cardServices Australia - How to enrol your baby in Medicare if they were born overseasServices Australia - Enrolling your baby in Medicare after surrogacyRelated procedures
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