Understanding the types of Medicare cards

There are 3 types of Medicare cards that come in the following colours:

• green, for standard Medicare cards
• blue, for interim Medicare cards
• yellow, for Reciprocal Health Care Agreement Medicare cards.

When you’re enrolled in Medicare, we’ll send you one of these cards. The type of card we send you will depend on your personal situation.

Standard Medicare card

Standard green cards are valid for 5 years. We’ll send you a new card before your old one expires.

You don’t have to do anything unless your address has changed. If it has, update your details so we send your card to the right address.

Interim Medicare card

Interim blue cards are valid until the expiry date on the card.

If you’re an applicant for permanent residency and your visa conditions haven’t changed, we’ll send you a new card before your old one expires. If you don’t get a new card, you’ll need to contact Medicare.

You don’t have to do anything unless your address has changed. If it has, update your details so the card gets to you.

If you’re a temporary resident covered by a Ministerial Order, your Medicare card is valid until the expiry date. To continue to access Medicare, you’ll need to meet certain criteria and re-enrol in Medicare.