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Medicare checker
Check whether an Australian Medicare number matches the official formatting rules published by Services Australia. Enter the details from your Medicare card below to validate its format and check digit instantly.
Validate Medicare Number
Testing Examples (Click to populate)
295187312 1 1 (Valid)
195187312 1 1 (Invalid Start)
288989777 2 5 (Bad Checksum)
Is your Medicare Card ready?
Since you already have your Medicare card in hand, You may be eligible for bulk-billed* after-hours telehealth consultations for urgent care during designated after-hours periods only (11pm to 6:45am, 7 days a week).
Note: Mental Health Care Plan are eligible for bulk billing anytime and any day, with no time restriction. Eligibility conditions apply. Our independent, AHPRA-registered general practitioners can assist you with:
Please Note: Hola Health is an independent, private telehealth provider and is not affiliated with the Australian Government or Services Australia.
Where to find each component on your card
Medicare Number (Digits 1–9)
The 9-digit number printed across the top of your card. It consists of an 8-digit identifier and a 1-digit checksum. The very first digit indicates the state where the card was originally issued (e.g., 2 for New South Wales, 3 for Victoria).
Individual Reference Number / IRN (Digit 10)
The single digit sitting directly to the left of your name. On family cards, each person has their own unique IRN to identify them specifically during bulk-billing claims.
Issue Number (Digit 11)
A single digit after the Medicare number indicating issue count. This increases by 1 every time your card is reissued (due to being lost, damaged, or updated), while your core 9-digit Medicare number stays the same.
Expiry Date
Displayed in MM/YYYY format next to the issue number. Cards are generally valid for five years before Services Australia automatically posts a replacement.
Validate Medicare Numbers in code
If you are integrating Australian patient verification into your software or healthcare platform, you can use the official Services Australia Modulo 10 Checksum algorithm to automate Medicare number validation. This lets your system quickly check if the entered Medicare number is properly formatted and valid before submission. Full implementation available as an open-source GitHub Gist.
// Expected format: 9 digits + 1 digit (IRN) + 1 digit (Issue Number)
const standardMedicareRegex = /^[2-6]\d{10}$/;
function validateFormat(input: string): boolean {
const cleanInput = input.replace(/\D/g, “”);
return standardMedicareRegex.test(cleanInput);
}
Medicare card FAQs
How many digits is an Australian Medicare number?
When sent online, a full Medicare number has 11 digits. This is made up of your 9-digit card number, a 1-digit card issue number, and a 1-digit reference number for your name.
What is the IRN on a Medicare card?
The Individual Reference Number (IRN) is the single digit next to your name on the card. It tells healthcare systems exactly who is receiving treatment. A family card can list multiple people, but each person will have a different IRN (e.g., 1 for the primary cardholder, 2 for a partner, 3 for a child).
What does the first digit of a Medicare number mean?
| Digit | State / Territory |
| 2 | New South Wales (NSW) |
| 3 | Victoria (VIC) |
| 4 | Queensland (QLD) |
| 5 | South Australia (SA) |
| 6 | Western Australia (WA), Tasmania (TAS), Northern Territory (NT), Australian Capital Territory (ACT) |
Can I find my Medicare number online without my card?
Yes. You can view a secure digital version of your Medicare card at any time. Simply log into the myGov website or open the official Express Plus Medicare mobile app on your phone.
Does my Medicare number change when I get a new card?
Usually, no. Your 9-digit Medicare number stays the same when your card is renewed or replaced. Only the Issue Number changes. However, if you turn 15 and apply for your own individual Medicare card, or if there are exceptional circumstances, a completely new 9-digit Medicare number may be issued.
What happens to my Medicare card when I turn 15?
When you turn 15, you gain the legal right to apply for your own Medicare card, separate from your family card. This new card gives you greater medical privacy and a new 9-digit Medicare number. You can apply using myGov, the Express Plus Medicare app, or in person.
What is the 10th digit on a Medicare card?
The 10th digit is the Card Issue Number. It shows how many times your card has been replaced or reprinted. If you have never lost or replaced your card, this number is usually 1. It can never be 0.
What is the 11th digit on a Medicare card?
The 11th digit is your Individual Reference Number (IRN). Online booking forms ask for this to know which specific person on the card is seeing the doctor.
Why is my Medicare number showing as invalid?
The most common data entry errors include swapping the position of your IRN and your Issue Number, adding extra zero placeholders, or mistyping the 9th digit (the checksum digit). Double-check that your digits match your physical or digital card exactly.
Is it safe to share my Medicare number online?
You should protect your Medicare card details carefully. Only share your number with verified, secure healthcare services, pharmacies, or accredited telehealth platforms like Hola Health. Do not share your Medicare information via unencrypted emails, SMS messages, or unverified web links.
How do I validate a Medicare number?
A Medicare number is validated using the Modulo 10Checksum algorithm published by Services Australia. The first 8 digits of the Medicare number are each multiplied by fixed weighting numbers (1,3,7,9, 1,3,7,9). The results are added together, and the total must match the 9th digit when divided by 10.
When does a Medicare card expire?
Medicare cards in Australia usually expire every five years. The expiry date is printed on the front of the card in MM/YYYY format. Services Australia will automatically send you a replacement card in the mail before your current card expires, provided your contact details are up to date in myGov.
Can I use an expired Medicare card?
While your 9-digit Medicare number usually remains valid even if your card has expired, most healthcare providers and telehealth services still require a current Medicare card to confirm your identity and bulk-billing eligibility. If your card has expired, you can request a replacement card for free using myGov or the Express Plus Medicare app.
How do I get a replacement Medicare card?
You can request a free replacement Medicare card online via your myGov account, through the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, or by calling Services Australia on 132 011. Replacement Medicare cards usually arrive within 14 business days. Until then, you can use your digital card in the Express Plus Medicare app for most healthcare needs.
What are Medicare Provider and Prescriber Numbers?
A Medicare Provider Number and a Prescriber Number are professional healthcare identifiers, not patient numbers. A Medicare Provider Number allows a registered doctor, specialist, or allied health professional to bill Medicare on behalf of patients. A Prescriber Number allows authorised medical professionals to write Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions. They are completely separate from your Medicare card number.
Disclaimer: Important accuracy and verification disclaimer: This tool uses an automated checksum algorithm to evaluate whether an entered string matches standard Australian Medicare card formatting and structural rules. This tool does not connect to Services Australia, does not access live government databases, and cannot confirm if a specific card number is active, valid, current, expired, or legally belongs to you. A successful format check does not guarantee Medicare eligibility or bulk-billing confirmation. Always cross-check your physical card or verify your official digital Medicare card via myGov to ensure your information is 100% accurate before submitting claims.
General Information & Bulk-Billing Disclaimer: Hola Health provides access to bulk-billed after-hours telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders during designated times only (11pm to 6:45am, 7 days a week). Patients who do not meet Medicare’s eligibility criteria or who require daytime consultations will incur a private fee. Medicine costs at your local pharmacy are not covered by the consultation fee. Our standard wait times are based on typical demand and may vary. Please review our Telehealth Pricing page for full eligibility criteria and conditions.
Hola Health does not store or retain Medicare numbers entered into this tool. Hola Health is not affiliated with the Australian Government or Services Australia. For official Medicare enquiries, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au or call 132 011.
- Get your own Medicare card and number – reference link
- Express Plus Medicare mobile app – reference link
- Australian Medicare Number Validation – reference link
Need a bulk-billed doctor?
Book a telehealth appointment with an Australian-registered doctor today. Valid Medicare cardholders may be eligible for bulk-billing on after-hours urgent care and script refill consultations during designated periods only. Private fees apply for all other services.
- After-hours online urgent care
- Prescription refills
- General medical advice
