Today marks the 40th anniversary of Australia’s universal health insurance system — Medicare.
Since 1 February 1984, Medicare has been the world-class foundation of our modern health system.
Its architects were some of our nation’s distinguished leaders — notably the Hon Dr Neal Blewett AC, the late Professor John Deeble AO and the late the Hon Bill Hayden AC.
On the 40th anniversary, we acknowledge and remember their contribution to delivering a major social reform — a simple, fair and affordable insurance system, that helps all Australians.
Medicare gives Australian citizens and permanent residents access to a wide range of health and hospital services at no cost or low cost. Through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the cost of medicine for most medical conditions is also heavily subsidised.
Because of Medicare, Australia’s health system is one of the best in the world. Australia ranks highly among OECD countries for many key indicators, including life expectancy.
The way Australians access Medicare has changed since the opening of the first Medicare office at Bankstown on 1 February 1984.
Cheques and physical paperwork are no longer our main way of doing business - today Medicare processes almost half a billion services a year, with most claims made on the spot at the doctor’s.
Australians go online to access and manage their Medicare account through myGov, and My Health Record helps to securely store all their health data.
The Labor Party built Medicare and it is the Labor Party that will continue to ensure it serves all Australians in the future.
Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister
"Every day, everywhere I go, people talk to me about healthcare and how important it is to their lives.
"We are so lucky to have a system like Medicare in this country and we owe a great debt to people like Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke who fought so hard to deliver it.
“My Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen Medicare and make it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler
“As we mark the 40th anniversary of Medicare, it is also vital that we keep strengthening Medicare to work towards ensuring Australians can access the right care, at the right place and the right time.
“In 2023, Australians saved more than $250 million on the price of their medicines, with even greater savings expected in 2024.
"It was a Labor Government that built Medicare and it is only a Labor Government who will continue to protect and strengthen Medicare"
Quotes attributable to Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten
“Medicare’s 40th anniversary is a nationally significant milestone. It’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and look ahead to what’s next.
“To celebrate, we’re releasing a commemorative Medicare card design. If you’re due to get a replacement card between 1 February and 31 December 2024, it’ll be a special 40-year anniversary edition. All digital Medicare cards will also be updated with the new design from 9 February.
“Evolving over the last 40 years from paper forms and fax machines to today’s digital claims, Medicare continues to streamline and adapt service delivery for both customers and health providers.
“In the last year alone, Services Australia processed over $77 billion in Medicare-related payments and took nearly 11 and a half million calls for Medicare-related enquiries.”