The Albanese Government wants to reunite Aussies with $234 million in unclaimed Medicare benefits. All you need to do is check your bank account details are up to date on the myGov website or in the app before the holidays.
The share of unclaimed benefits belongs to close to one million Australians who don’t have valid bank details registered with Medicare.
Young people aged 18-24 are missing out the most, with more than 220,000 people owed over $49 million. While the benefit amounts vary, the average owed is $240.
Minister for Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Bill Shorten MP said that by taking a few simple steps, Aussies can claim in time for Christmas.
“We know Australians are doing it tough, and I want to reunite people with millions in unpaid Medicare benefits before the holidays,” Minister Shorten said.
“It’s quick and easy. To claim, check your banking details are recorded and correct with Medicare and once your details are updated, any unpaid benefits will automatically be paid within 3 days.
Over 690,000 Aussies who have an active myGov account will soon receive a notification that Medicare owes them money.
There are also approximately 300,000 individuals who are owed money who do not have an active myGov account, making it difficult for the Government to let them know about their share of unclaimed Medicare benefits. If you think this could be you, activate your myGov account today.
Minister Shorten explained that the best way to update your bank account details is through the myGov app, launched under the Albanese Labor Government just over a year ago.
“These new notifications are just another way we’re making it easier to interact with Government Services and get back funds owed to almost a million Aussies.”
“We will never ask you to open a link in a text message. To securely sign in to your myGov, go to my.gov.au or use the official myGov app.”
Services Australia paid almost $28 billion in Medicare benefits last financial year, with unpaid benefits only accounting for 0.8% of total payments.
Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/getmedicarebenefits to learn how to update your bank details.
Age breakdown of unpaid Medicare benefits, as at 31 October 2023:
Age | Unpaid benefits ($ figure) | Eligible recipients |
17 and under | $17.8 million | 112,200 |
18-24 | $49.2 million | 221,500 |
25-34 | $25.7 million | 142,300 |
35-44 | $25.2 million | 121,200 |
45-54 | $35 million | 129,100 |
55-64 | $35.5 million | 115,300 |
65-74 | $24.3 million | 68,700 |
75 and over | $20.8 million | 60,700 |
State-by-state breakdown of unpaid Medicare benefits in Australia, as at 31 October 2023:
State | Unpaid benefits ($ figure) | Eligible residents |
ACT | $4.3 million | 16,000 |
NSW | $72.6 million | 284,000 |
Northern Territory | $1.6 million | 7,800 |
Queensland | $46 million | 203,100 |
South Australia | $17.4 million | 76,600 |
Tasmania | $4.7 million | 21,000 |
Victoria | $59.7 million | 243,000 |
Western Australia | $27.2 million | 119,500 |
*Please note these tables use rounded figures.
