Services Australia urges Australians to claim share of $272 million in unclaimed Medicare rebates
Services Australia is urging nearly one million Australians to update their banking information after revealing $272 million in Medicare rebates remains unclaimed.
The federal agency said 972,300 people who paid for medical services have not received their rebates because their bank details are not linked to their Medicare accounts. The average amount owed is about $280, although more than 300 Australians are each due $10,000 or more.
Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said the issue was largely administrative rather than technical.
“Believe it or not, it’s simply because we don’t have their bank account details,” he said. “Once people update their information, the money can be paid automatically.”
The total amount of unclaimed rebates has continued to grow in recent years, rising from about $230 million in 2023 to the current figure of $272 million.
Younger Australians heavily represented
More than a quarter of those affected are aged between 18 and 24, according to government figures. Officials say younger people who frequently change banks, addresses or study locations are more likely to have outdated details.
Health policy experts say even relatively small rebates can make a difference for households facing rising living costs.
“Those payments can add up over time, especially for people who visit doctors regularly,” said Margaret Faux, a nurse and health law specialist.
Simple process to claim payments
Services Australia said most people can resolve the issue in minutes by logging into their myGov account and confirming their bank details. Once updated, any outstanding rebates are typically deposited within a few business days.
The agency has increased notifications through myGov messages and is working with medical clinics to remind patients to keep their information current.
Officials said there is no deadline to claim the funds, but encouraged people to check their details to ensure future payments are not delayed.
You can find a step-by-step guide on updating your bank details on the official Services Australia website
