Fill Out Medicare Entitlement Statement Application (MS015) Online

What is Form MS015 used for

The Medicare levy is collected through the Australian tax system, but people who were not eligible for Medicare for all or part of a financial year may be exempt. The MES issued after an MS015 application confirms the period of non eligibility, and you need it before you start the tax return that claims the exemption. The ATO then decides whether you pay the levy; the statement itself does not grant anything.

Applications can only be lodged from 1 July for the previous financial year, and early applications are not accepted. The one exception is if you are leaving Australia: you can then apply for the current financial year up to 4 weeks before departure, and the application is processed after you leave. A new MES is needed for each year you claim the exemption.

Who uses Form MS015

The form lists the situations that may qualify for an MES: temporary visa holders who had not applied for permanent residence (excluding Skilled Work Regional and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa holders), temporary visa holders not eligible for Medicare under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, Australian permanent residents who lived outside Australia for 12 months or more, New Zealand citizens who spent less than 6 months in Australia within a 12 month period, and Australian citizens living overseas for 5 years or more.

If you were eligible for Medicare for the whole financial year you cannot get an MES, and the form warns that you may have been eligible even without holding a Medicare card. Most applicants use the online channels through myGov; the paper form is for people who cannot apply online and for tax agents, who have their own section at the start of the form.

How to fill out Form MS015

Accuracy on dates and visa details is what makes these applications move quickly:

• Complete the tax agent questions first if an agent is applying on the applicant's behalf, including the permission question.
• Enter the applicant's name exactly as it appears on their passport, plus date of birth, gender, and contact details.
• Provide the applicant's Medicare card number if they hold a current or expired card.
• Give the residential address in Australia and the postal address the statement should be sent to.
• Attach a copy of the passport photo page, and where relevant a copy of the current visa, Department of Home Affairs letters about a permanent residency application, or proof of overseas health insurance. Insurance proof must show an expiry date for certain listed countries.
• Sign and date the declaration before lodging.

How to submit Form MS015

Post the completed form and supporting documents to Services Australia, Medicare Entitlement Statement Unit, GPO Box 9822, Adelaide SA 5001. A tax agent can also return the form and documents by post or email. Services Australia writes to you if it needs more information or does not approve the application, and sends the MES to the address you nominate.

Forms are revision dated and Services Australia can reject old versions, so download the current MS015 from servicesaustralia.gov.au/ms015 before applying.