How to Replace a Lost, Stolen, Damaged or Expired Medicare Card in Australia
Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or expired Medicare card through Medicare online services linked to myGov, the myGov app or by calling Medicare. Learn when expired cards are replaced automatically, how quickly the new card arrives, how to use the digital Medicare card immediately and how to request an extra family card.
AU Australia
Documents & Identity ~ 9 min read
14 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-26
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If your Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, sign in to Medicare through myGov or the myGov app, select My card, then Get a replacement or extra card and choose the reason for replacement. You can use a digital copy of the new Medicare card straight away in the myGov app, while Services Australia sends the physical replacement to your postal address within about 4 weeks. If your card is simply expiring, Services Australia normally sends a new one automatically about 4 to 8 weeks before expiry. If it does not arrive, request a replacement online, in the app or by calling Medicare on 132 011. Families with more than one person on the card can also request one extra copy of the same card.
What you need
- Be currently enrolled in Medicare.
- Have a Medicare card that is lost, stolen, damaged or expired, or need the available extra copy of a family Medicare card.
- For the online method, have Medicare linked to your myGov account or use the myGov app.
- Confirm that the postal address recorded with Medicare is correct before submitting the request.
- If requesting an extra card rather than a replacement, there must be more than one person listed on the Medicare card.
- If you cannot use online services, contact the Medicare program for assistance with ordering the card.
Eligibility
You can request a replacement Medicare card if your existing card has been lost, stolen, damaged or has expired. If your card is approaching its normal expiry date, Services Australia generally sends a replacement automatically about 4 to 8 weeks before expiry, so no application is normally required unless the new card does not arrive. If more than one person is listed on a Medicare card, the family can also request one extra copy containing the same card details. Services Australia cannot issue an extra card where only one person is listed on the card.
How to do it
- Check why you need a new card. If the current card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a replacement immediately. If it is simply approaching expiry, Services Australia normally sends the replacement automatically.
- Make sure Medicare has your current postal address, because the physical replacement card will be mailed to that address.
- Sign in to myGov or the myGov app and open Medicare.
- Select My card.
- Select Get a replacement or extra card.
- Choose the applicable reason: lost, stolen, damaged, expired or extra card.
- If more than one person is listed on the card, answer whether you also want a second copy where the service presents that option.
- Review your postal address and update it if necessary.
- Confirm the request.
- Use the digital Medicare card in the myGov app while waiting for the physical card.
- Wait for the replacement card to arrive at your postal address, normally within about 4 weeks.
- If an automatically renewed expired card has not arrived, request a replacement online, use the myGov app or call the Medicare program on 132 011.
- If you need an extra family card, remember that Services Australia issues only one extra copy and only where more than one person is listed on the Medicare card.
How do you replace a lost Medicare card in Australia?
If your Medicare card is lost, you can request a replacement through your Medicare online account linked to myGov or through the myGov app.
Sign in, open Medicare, select My card, then choose Get a replacement or extra card. Select the option stating that your card has been lost and follow the prompts.
You can use the digital version of the new Medicare card straight away in the myGov app while you wait for the physical replacement.
How do you replace a stolen Medicare card?
The replacement process for a stolen Medicare card is the same online process. In Medicare online services, select Get a replacement or extra card and choose the reason stating that the card was stolen.
Services Australia then issues the replacement and sends the physical card to your recorded postal address. If you cannot use Medicare online services, you can contact the Medicare program directly.
How do you replace a damaged Medicare card?
If your physical Medicare card is damaged or no longer usable, request a replacement through Medicare linked to myGov or the myGov app. Select the damaged-card reason when ordering the replacement.
You do not need to wait until the damaged card expires before requesting another one.
What happens when your Medicare card expires?
You normally do not need to apply for a new card just because the current Medicare card is reaching its expiry date.
Services Australia states that it sends a new Medicare card automatically about 4 to 8 weeks before your current card expires. The replacement is sent to the address Medicare has recorded for you.
This makes it important to update your postal address whenever you move. If Medicare has an old address, the automatically renewed card can be sent there instead.
What if your new Medicare card does not arrive before the old one expires?
If the automatic replacement does not arrive, request another Medicare card through your Medicare online account linked to myGov, through the myGov app or by calling the Medicare program.
The online replacement process includes an option for an expired card.
How to replace a Medicare card through myGov
The online process is available through Medicare linked to myGov.
- Sign in to myGov or the myGov app.
- Select Medicare.
- Select My card.
- Select Get a replacement or extra card.
- Select the reason for the request.
- Confirm or update your postal address.
- Submit the request.
Services Australia confirms when the request has been successful and lets you return to your card page to view the new card details.
Can you replace a Medicare card in the myGov app?
Yes. Services Australia allows replacement requests through the myGov app as well as the Medicare online account accessed through the myGov website.
The screen layout in the app may differ from the website, but the service provides the same replacement-card function.
Can you use a digital Medicare card immediately?
Yes. Services Australia states that you can use a digital copy of your new Medicare card straight away in the myGov app.
This is particularly useful when a physical card has been lost or stolen because you do not need to wait for the replacement card to arrive by post before accessing your Medicare card digitally.
How long does a replacement Medicare card take to arrive?
Services Australia's current online replacement guide says the replacement or extra card will be sent to your postal address within 4 weeks.
Make sure your postal address is correct during the online request. If it has changed, update it before confirming the card order.
Does a replacement Medicare card have the same number?
A standard replacement card for a lost, stolen, damaged or expired card is a replacement of your existing Medicare card rather than an application to obtain your own separate Medicare card number.
Services Australia separately explains that where a Medicare card is replaced after card details have been exposed, the replacement can have a new issue number and expiry date so the old card is no longer valid. If you specifically need a completely new Medicare card number, Services Australia provides a separate process for transferring to a new Medicare card.
What should you do if your Medicare details may have been exposed?
If your Medicare card details have been exposed in a data breach, Services Australia allows you to request a replacement Medicare card through Medicare linked to myGov, the myGov app or by contacting Medicare.
The replacement card in this situation has a new issue number and expiry date, which makes the previous card invalid.
If you need an entirely new Medicare card number rather than only a replacement card, Services Australia provides a separate process for transferring to a new Medicare card.
Can one family member replace a Medicare card for everyone on it?
Yes. Services Australia states that if more than one person is listed on the Medicare card, only one person needs to request the replacement card.
The replacement continues to cover the people listed on that Medicare card.
Can your family get an extra Medicare card?
Yes. A family Medicare card containing more than one person can have one extra physical copy with the same details.
Services Australia provides the extra card where more than one family member needs access to the card. Only one extra copy can be issued.
An extra card is different from getting your own separate Medicare card and number.
Who cannot get an extra Medicare card?
Services Australia cannot issue an extra card when you are the only person listed on your Medicare card.
If you are 15 or older and want an independent Medicare card, the separate Get your own Medicare card and number process may be more appropriate.
How to request an extra family Medicare card
Use Medicare online services through myGov or the myGov app, open My card and select Get a replacement or extra card.
Choose the extra-card option and follow the prompts. Services Australia sends the extra card to the address provided, generally within 3 to 4 weeks.
Is an extra Medicare card the same as a replacement?
No. A replacement card replaces a card that is lost, stolen, damaged or expired. An extra card is a second physical copy of an existing family Medicare card with the same details.
Services Australia allows only one extra card for a family Medicare card.
What if you cannot replace your Medicare card online?
You can call the Medicare program on 132 011 for help ordering a new card or for general Medicare enquiries.
Services Australia lists this line for Medicare claims, enrolments, Medicare Safety Nets, new card orders and other Medicare enquiries.
Do you need to update your address before ordering a new Medicare card?
Yes, if the address Services Australia holds is no longer correct. The physical replacement is mailed to the postal address recorded for your Medicare account.
For expired cards this is particularly important because Services Australia normally sends the automatic replacement before expiry without requiring a separate request.
What happens to your digital Medicare card after replacement?
After a successful replacement request, you can view and use the updated digital Medicare card through the myGov app. This provides access to the new card details while the physical card is being delivered.
Do you need to visit a Services Australia service centre?
Not normally. A lost, stolen, damaged or expired Medicare card can generally be replaced through Medicare online services, the myGov app or by calling the Medicare program.
A service-centre visit is therefore not required for the standard replacement process unless Services Australia specifically asks you to attend or you need assistance that cannot be completed through the available channels.
Frequently asked questions
How do I replace a lost Medicare card?
Sign in to Medicare through myGov or the myGov app, select My card, then Get a replacement or extra card. Choose My card has been lost, confirm your postal address and submit the request.
How do I replace a stolen Medicare card?
Use Medicare linked to myGov or the myGov app, select My card and Get a replacement or extra card, then choose the stolen-card option and follow the prompts.
Can I replace a damaged Medicare card online?
Yes. Select the damaged-card reason through the Medicare replacement service in myGov or the myGov app.
Does Medicare automatically replace an expired card?
Yes. Services Australia normally sends a new Medicare card automatically about 4 to 8 weeks before the current card expires.
What if my replacement Medicare card does not arrive before expiry?
Request a new card through Medicare linked to myGov, use the myGov app or call the Medicare program on 132 011.
How long does a replacement Medicare card take to arrive?
Services Australia's online replacement guide says the physical replacement or extra card is sent to your postal address within about 4 weeks.
Can I use Medicare while waiting for my replacement card?
Yes. You can access and use a digital copy of your new Medicare card straight away in the myGov app.
Is there a fee to replace a Medicare card?
Services Australia does not list an application fee for replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or expired Medicare card.
Do all family members need to request a replacement Medicare card?
No. If more than one person is listed on the card, Services Australia states that only one person needs to request the replacement.
Can my family get a second Medicare card?
Yes. If more than one person is listed on the Medicare card, Services Australia can issue one extra copy with the same details.
Can I get an extra Medicare card if I am the only person on my card?
No. Services Australia does not issue an extra card when only one person is listed on the Medicare card.
Is an extra Medicare card the same as getting my own Medicare card?
No. An extra card is another physical copy containing the same family card details. Getting your own Medicare card and number is a separate process.
What should I do if my Medicare card details were exposed in a data breach?
You can request a replacement Medicare card through myGov, the myGov app or Medicare. Services Australia states that the replacement in this situation has a new issue number and expiry date so the old card is no longer valid.
Can I call Medicare to order a replacement card?
Yes. You can call the Medicare program on 132 011 if you cannot use online services or need help ordering a replacement card.
Official sources
Services Australia - Replace your Medicare card or get an extra cardServices Australia - Medicare online account help: Get a replacement or extra Medicare cardServices Australia - Medicare online help guidesServices Australia - Protect your personal information after a data breachServices Australia - Help with your Medicare online accountRelated procedures
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