Leaving Australia? Apply for an MES from 1 July to 4 weeks before departure

If you are leaving Australia, you can apply for a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) for the current financial year from 1 July until 4 weeks before your departure date. Services Australia says the application will be processed after your departure date; ordinarily, applications from 1 July are only for the previous financial year. This guidance was checked 1 October 2026.

What does the departure exception change?

The departure exception creates a separate application window and financial-year entitlement:

Application rule	When you can apply	Financial year you can request	Processing
Departure exception	From 1 July until 4 weeks before your departure date	Current financial year	After your departure date
Ordinary annual rule	From 1 July each year	Previous financial year	The ordinary rule applies even if you plan to leave Australia

Merely planning to leave does not change the previous-financial-year limit under the ordinary rule. Requesting the current financial year is available through the stated departure exception and its specific timing window.

Services Australia also says an application submitted before 1 July cannot be accepted or processed unless the applicant is leaving Australia. The current-financial-year departure window described in its guidance begins on 1 July and ends 4 weeks before departure.

How can you apply online?

There are 2 online ways to apply:

• Use the MES dashboard through myGov. The dashboard is available through the Individual Healthcare Identifiers (IHI) service. If your IHI service is linked to myGov, you can sign in and access it. Otherwise, you will be prompted to create an IHI or link it to yourGov. You must be in Australia when applying for an IHI so your identity can be verified.
• Use the Medicare Entitlement Statement online application. Services Australia provides this option if you cannot use the MES dashboard.

The MES dashboard lets you track your application, upload documents if needed, and download or print statements. If you request letters to your myGov Inbox, you will also receive a notification when the dashboard records an update.

Can you apply on paper or through a tax agent?

You can print and complete the Application for a Medicare Entitlement Statement form.

A tax agent can fill out the form, but you must complete the declaration. Either you or your tax agent will also need to provide a copy of the name and photo page of your passport to prove your identity.

Which supporting documents might you need?

Depending on your circumstances, you or your tax agent may also need to provide one or more of these:

• 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 your permanent-residency 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 for a refused permanent-residency application.
• Proof that you requested ministerial intervention.
• Your European Health Insurance Card or other proof of health insurance.

If you are from Belgium, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden or the United Kingdom, your proof of health insurance must show an expiry date.

What should you check before uploading documents?

Uploaded documents must meet all of these requirements:

Requirement	Rule
Clarity	The document must be clear and show all information
Accepted formats	PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF or BMP
Maximum size per file	Less than 5MB each
Maximum total size	Less than 10MB in total
PDF security	PDFs must not be password protected

Check that every page is readable and that no required information is cropped before uploading.

When will Services Australia process the application?

For the departure exception, Services Australia processes the application after your departure date. It is therefore important to prepare your identity and supporting documents before applying.

For an application submitted between July and November, Services Australia says processing may take up to 8 weeks. This is the stated processing estimate for that application period, not a guarantee for every application.

This is general information rather than visa advice. Check your policy documents, the Home Affairs information for your visa and the current Services Australia guidance before relying on these dates for your circumstances.

Sources

• How to get a Medicare Entitlement Statement — Services Australia

FAQ

When does the departure application window begin?

For the current financial year, the departure application window begins on 1 July and remains open until 4 weeks before your departure date.

Does applying online mean the MES will be issued before I leave?

No. Services Australia says an application made under the departure exception will be processed after your departure date.

Which financial year can I request under each rule?

Under the departure exception, you can request the current financial year. Under the ordinary annual rule, an application from 1 July is only for the previous financial year, even if you plan to leave Australia.

What should I do if the MES dashboard is unavailable?

You can use the separate Medicare Entitlement Statement online application. If your IHI is not linked to myGov, the dashboard route will prompt you to create an IHI or link it.