When to apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement: 1 July and up to 8 weeks

Apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from 1 July each year for the previous financial year, according to Services Australia. Applications lodged between July and November may take up to 8 weeks to process, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says you must wait until you receive your MES before lodging your tax return. Information checked 1 October 2026.

What should I plan for around 1 July?

The standard annual process follows this timeline:

Step	Timing or action
Applications open	1 July each year
Financial year covered	The previous financial year
Processing time stated for applications lodged between July and November	Up to 8 weeks
Tax return lodgement	Wait until you receive your MES
Exemption category	Complete exemption category 3 in the Medicare levy section if you qualify

The ATO advises applying as soon as possible so your tax return can be lodged correctly and on time. Treat the opening date as the start of the application period, not a promise of immediate processing.

What is the timing if I am leaving Australia?

Services Australia provides separate timing for applicants leaving Australia. You can apply from 1 July for the current financial year up to 4 weeks before your departure date, and the application will be processed after you leave.

Because this differs from the standard previous-financial-year process, check the departure instructions before submitting your application.

How can I apply online?

There are 2 ways to apply online using a myGov account:

• Use the MES dashboard in the Individual Healthcare Identifiers (IHI) service. If your IHI service or myGov link is not set up, you will be prompted to create or link it. You must be in Australia when applying for an IHI so your identity can be verified.
• If you cannot use the MES dashboard, use the separate Medicare Entitlement Statement online application.

The MES dashboard also lets you track your application, upload documents if needed, and download or print your statement.

You can alternatively print and complete the Application for a Medicare Entitlement Statement form. A tax agent may fill out the form, but you must complete the declaration.

What documents and uploads may be required?

Services Australia requires a copy of the name and photo page of your passport to prove your identity. Depending on your circumstances, it may also request:

• Your current visa.
• A Department of Home Affairs letter showing when your permanent-residency application was received.
• A Department of Home Affairs letter showing when the application was granted, refused or withdrawn.
• A letter from the Administrative Review Tribunal, Federal Circuit and Family Court, or High Court showing that you lodged an appeal.
• Proof that you requested ministerial intervention.
• A European Health Insurance Card or other proof of health insurance.

Uploaded documents must meet the following rules:

Upload requirement	Rule
Clarity	All information must be visible
Accepted formats	PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF or BMP
Size of each file	Less than 5MB each
Total size	Less than 10MB in total
Password-protected PDFs	Not accepted

Does receiving an MES automatically exempt me from the Medicare levy?

No. An MES alone does not establish a Medicare levy exemption. It shows the period in an income year during which you were not entitled to Medicare benefits.

For a full exemption for a period, the ATO’s conditions include:

Your circumstances	Exemption position
Your MES shows you were a temporary resident for Medicare purposes and you had no dependants during the period	You can claim a full exemption for that period
You had dependants during the period	All dependants, including your spouse, must also have been in a Medicare levy exemption category for that period
Your spouse was entitled to Medicare benefits and was not in an exemption category	You cannot claim the exemption under this rule

If you qualify, claim it through your tax return. In the Medicare levy section, this is called exemption category 3.

When should I lodge my tax return?

Do not lodge your tax return while your MES application is still being processed. The required sequence is:

• Apply from 1 July using the appropriate financial-year or departure process.
• Track the application and respond if Services Australia requests more information.
• Wait until you receive the MES.
• Check whether you meet the ATO’s dependant conditions.
• Claim exemption category 3 through your tax return if you qualify.

This is general information, not a tax or visa assessment. Check the latest official guidance, any current policy documents that apply to your circumstances, and the Department of Home Affairs page for your visa before relying on this summary.

Sources

• Not entitled to Medicare benefits | Australian Taxation Office
• How to get a Medicare Entitlement Statement | Services Australia

FAQ

When do standard MES applications open?

Standard applications open on 1 July each year and are for the previous financial year.

How long does MES processing take?

An application lodged between July and November may take up to 8 weeks to process.

Can I lodge my tax return before receiving my MES?

No. The ATO says you must wait until you receive your MES before lodging your tax return.

Does an MES automatically give me a Medicare levy exemption?

No. You also need to meet the ATO’s conditions, including the dependant rules, and claim the exemption through your tax return.