Huge change to come to MyGov today after a major system facelift was announced: Here’s what you need to know
- Aussies can access their Medicare card through the MyGov app
- The move is part of a major overhaul of the MyGov portal
Australians can now access a digital version of their Medicare Card on their phone through the MyGov app.
The Universal Health Pass will be available on the MyGov app on Thursday and may soon be accessible via the Service NSW app.
The creation of the digital Medicare card is part of a major government overhaul of the MyGov portal, in an effort to make it easier for Aussies to access online government services in one location.
It came after an audit review from the service that recommended adding the card to the app last year.
Australians can use the digital Medicare card for a range of medical services.
Millions of Australians will be able to access their Medicare card on their phones from Thursday (stock image)
Public Services Secretary Bill Shorten said adding the map to the MyGov app was a convenient way to keep everything in one place.
“Many people use their Medicare cards regularly, so adding them to their wallets in the myGov app is a safe and convenient way to keep their personal documents together in one place,” he told News Corp.
He addressed the security concerns by explaining that the card had “fraud and theft protection” such as a hologram and a QR code.
“The animated hologram shows that the card is not just a screenshot and that the QR code can be scanned by healthcare professionals to confirm that the card is real and valid,” he added.
Mr Shorten said it could take some time for some medical practices to adapt their systems for the digital card, but urged doctors to accept it.
Australians and doctors can still use and accept the physical Medicare card as an alternative.
Health Minister Mark Butler claimed the move was a practical step forward for digital health, something the Morrison government “did not prioritize”.
“Labour is the party of Medicare and we will always strengthen it,” he said.
Public Services Minister Bill Shorten (pictured) said adding the digital health pass to the MyGov app brought convenience to Australians
The creation of the digital Medicare card is part of an overhaul of the MyGov portal by the Albanian government (stock image)
Access to the digital Medicare card came last year following an audit review on the MyGov portal conducted by an expert panel led by former Telstra executive, David Thodey.
The panel said the Commonwealth should work closely with state and territory governments to bring more services to MyGov so that Australians can access more services in a single online location.
New features recommended by the panel’s report include recording births and deaths, helping people respond to natural disasters, and better access to services related to driver’s licenses, Medicare cards, senior cards, occupational licenses and other forms of identification.
It was also suggested that the government investigate whether people can register to vote, renew their passports or complete the census through MyGov.
Mr Shorten said the amendments to the report will be considered by the Albanian government this year.
There are 25 million MyGov accounts, with 1.4 million people using the website daily and daily use tripling in the past five years, and more than 19 million Medicare accounts.