How to Call Medicare From Abroad
9/19/2026
Quick answer: Call Medicare from outside Australia at +61 1300 300 271. Domestically the line is 132 011, open Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and weekends 7am to 7pm AEST/AEDT, and the overseas number follows the same hours.
Why the everyday Medicare number doesn't work overseas
Medicare's domestic line, 132 011, is a "13" number, a special Australian call-routing format that only functions within the country's own phone network. Services Australia, which runs Medicare, publishes a separate "1300" number specifically for callers outside Australia, and unlike a bare 13 number, this one does connect internationally once you add +61.
The verified number
| Line | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare, calling from outside Australia | +61 1300 300 271 | Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-7pm AEST/AEDT |
Source: Services Australia's official "Phone us" page.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or expired Medicare card while overseas
This is the same number as general enquiries, no separate line exists. Call +61 1300 300 271, and once your identity's confirmed, Services Australia can issue a replacement, which is posted to your address on file, so it's worth confirming that address is current before you call. In the meantime, two faster options exist if you have internet access:
- myGov, log in, go to Medicare, then My card, and request a replacement or view a digital copy.
- The Express Plus Medicare app, which gives you a digital Medicare card immediately, without waiting for the physical one to arrive.
What to have ready before you call
- Your Medicare card number, if you still have it
- Your full name, date of birth, and address as registered with Medicare
- Details of the specific issue: a claim, a card replacement, or an enrolment question
Best time to call
The line runs Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and weekends 7am to 7pm, Australian Eastern time, wider hours than most Australian government lines in our guides.
- UK: Australia is 9 to 11 hours ahead, depending on daylight saving, so call in your evening.
- US East Coast: Australia is 14 to 16 hours ahead, effectively the opposite time of day.
- UAE/Gulf: Australia is 6 to 8 hours ahead.
- Singapore/Hong Kong: Australia is 2 to 3 hours ahead.
The cheaper way to actually make the call
Card replacements and claim questions often involve identity verification and some hold time, and standard international rates apply for the whole call. With DialVia, you call Medicare's real overseas number from your browser over Wi-Fi instead:
- Open DialVia and sign up (about 30 seconds)
- Select Australia as the destination
- Enter the number: 1300 300 271
- Hit call
Frequently asked questions
What's Medicare's number for calling from abroad? +61 1300 300 271, the same hours as the domestic line: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, weekends 7am-7pm AEST/AEDT.
Why doesn't 132 011 work from outside Australia? It's a "13" number, a domestic-only call-routing format. Medicare's overseas-reachable number uses the "1300" format instead, which does work internationally with +61.
Can I replace a lost Medicare card while I'm overseas? Yes, call +61 1300 300 271, or use myGov or the Express Plus Medicare app for a digital card immediately while the physical replacement is posted.
Is Medicare's overseas number toll-free? No, it's a standard chargeable number, and standard international call rates apply from wherever you're calling.
If you're calling about healthcare cover specifically while traveling, see the full guide to Reciprocal Health Care Agreements from abroad.
👉 Try DialVia to call from your browser in 30 seconds. Didn't connect? You don't pay. Or return to the DialVia homepage to learn more.