The Transition to the Access Card

See also information on Registration.

Registration for the access card will be conducted over a two year period and transitional arrangements will be in place from the commencement of registration.

During this transition period, people will still be able to use their existing Centrelink, Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Medicare cards, even if they have registered for an access card. Cards issued by these agencies will continue to be issued during the transition period if required.

People can register for an access card any time during the registration period. If a person’s Centrelink, Medicare or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card is due to expire during the transition period, they will receive an invitation to register and will be encouraged to obtain an access card. If their existing cards are not due to expire until after the transition period, then registration for the access card can take place at any time during the two year registration period.

The registration process will occur at Centrelink and Medicare offices as well as at selected Australia Post outlets. A streamlined registration process will be available for Department of Veterans’ Affairs customers through their offices. (See information on How the Access Card will work for Veterans.)

Initially, the access card will replace the Medicare and Department of Veterans’ Affairs cards. At the end of the transition period - when all eligible people will have received their access card - the existing cards issued by Medicare, Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will gradually be replaced. Existing cards that have not yet reached their expiry date will still be valid during the transition period.

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