International Patients

• Your Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) records, including flu and COVID-19 vaccination history. This is often required for jobs in healthcare, aged care, or construction
• Your My Health Record, including blood test results and specialist letters, accessible through myGov

Visa subclass eligibility conditions change. Always verify your current visa conditions at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.

You can apply through myGov at my.gov.au. The process is straightforward:

1. Sign in to myGov, or create a free account at my.gov.au if you do not already have one
2. Select “IHI Service” under the “Link a Service” or “Services” menu
3. Complete the identity check using your passport and visa grant number, found on your VEVO check or grant letter
4. Your details are verified against the Department of Home Affairs. Once matched, your 16-digit IHI is issued instantly

You may be. Before applying for a standalone IHI, check whether you qualify for a Medicare card if you do, your IHI is issued automatically with it.
You may be eligible for Medicare if you meet one of the following:

• Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA): You are a citizen or permanent resident of the UK, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Slovenia, or New Zealand. Each country’s agreement covers different services — check the Services Australia website for what your country’s agreement includes.
• Permanent Residency pathway: You have already lodged an application for a permanent visa, such as a 186 or 190, and currently hold work rights.

If you are on a Working Holiday Visa (417 or 462) from a reciprocal country such as the UK, it is worth checking your eligibility for a Medicare card rather than just an IHI as this may save you significantly on GP gap fees and public hospital costs.
Medicare eligibility rules are set by Services Australia and can change. Always verify your current eligibility at servicesaustralia.gov.au before applying.