The several different Medicare cards come with different expiration dates.
Standard green cards are valid for 5 years. You will be given 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 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, You will be sent 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-enroll in Medicare.
Reciprocal Health Care Agreement Medicare card: You’ll get a yellow Medicare card if you’re visiting Australia from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). Yellow cards are valid until the expiry date on the card. To continue to access Medicare, you’ll need to meet the RHCA criteria for your country and re-enroll in Medicare.