You can claim a full exemption for any period for which you have a Medicare entitlement statement from the Department of Human Services (now known as Services Australia) showing you were not entitled to Medicare benefits because you were a temporary resident for Medicare purposes, and either:
- you did not have any dependants for that period, or
- all your dependants were in an exemption category for that period.
To claim an exemption, you must first submit a Medicare entitlement statement to Medicare and receive a certification letter from them saying that you were not entitled to Medicare benefits for a particular period. You can claim the exemption for the period that Medicare has advised.
You need to submit a Medicare entitlement statement to Medicare each year you want to claim an exception.
For more information on how to apply for a Medicare entitlement statement as a temporary resident, go to the Department of Human Services (now known as Services Australia) website. External Link.
You also qualify for a full exemption under this category if:
- you were a member of a diplomatic mission or consular post in Australia (or a member of such a person's family and you were living with them)
- you were not an Australian citizen
- you do not ordinarily live in Australia, and either
- you did not have any dependants for that period, or
- all your dependants were in an exemption category for that period.