A small design change is coming to Medicare cards in 2024 to celebrate the decades long success of the nation’s universal healthcare system.
The commemorative design for Medicare’s 40th anniversary will be featured on all cards printed until the end of the year.
“Medicare is turning 40. To celebrate, the Medicare card will have a 2024 commemorative design,” Services Australia announced on Monday.
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“If you get a new or replacement card from 1 February 2024, it’ll be a 40-year anniversary card.
“This card design will be issued until 31 December 2024.”
The “new look” anniversary card will also be updated in Medicare online accounts, in the Express Plus Medicare mobile app, and the myGov app.
Medicare will automatically send out a new card to replace those that have expired, but Australians replacing a lost, stolen or damaged card can request one on the mobile app, or by calling Medicare.
Australia’s healthcare system was first called Medibank when it was introduced in 1975 by the Whitlam Labor government.
It was renamed Medicare in 1984 by the Hawke Labor government, which also reversed changes limiting bulk billing and benefits that had been made since the scheme’s inception during a period of Liberal government.