Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026

Administered by Department of Finance

Legislation au F2026L00091 Regulations In force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973

 

Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers)

Regulations 2026

 

The Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973 (the Act) sets out sets out the functions and investigative powers of the Chief Executive Medicare relating to the administration of medicare programs, as well as a number of other miscellaneous provisions.

 

Section 44 of the Act provides that the Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with that Act, prescribing all matters required or permitted by the Act to be prescribed, or necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.

 

Paragraph 5(1)(e) of the Act provides that the Chief Executive Medicare has such functions as are prescribed by the regulations. For the purpose of paragraph 5(1)(e) of the Act,
section 35 of the Human Services (Medicare) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations) provides that the allocation of identification numbers for the purposes of the
Health Insurance Act 1973 (Health Insurance Act) is a prescribed function.

 

The purpose of the Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment Regulations) is to amend the Regulations to empower the Chief Executive Medicare to take into consideration a range of factors in performing the function of allocating identification numbers for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act. The Amendment Regulations will also explicitly empower the Chief Executive Medicare to suspend, lift a suspension, and revoke identification numbers for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act and the Dental Benefits Act 2008 (Dental Benefits Act).

 

Further details of the Amendment Regulations are set out in Attachment A.

 

The Amendment Regulations are a legislative instrument for the purposes of the
Legislation Act 2003.

 

The Department of Finance consulted with Services Australia. The Department of Finance, through Services Australia, undertook consultation with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Consultation outside the Australian Government was considered unnecessary as the Amendment Regulations are of a minor or machinery nature and support continuation of existing arrangements.

 

Schedule 2 of the Amendment Regulations commences at the same time as Schedule 1 to the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025, and all other provisions of the Amendment Regulations commence on the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

 

Authority:  Section 44 of the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973 

 
ATTACHMENT A

Details of the Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026

 

Section 1 – Name

 

This section provides for the Regulations to be referred to as the Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment Regulations).

 

Section 2 – Commencement

 

This section states that sections 1 to 4 and Schedule 1 to the Amendment Regulations will commence on the day after they are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. It also provides that Schedule 2 commences at the same time as Schedule 1 to the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025.

 

Section 3 – Authority 

 

This section states that the Amendment Regulations are made under the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973 (the Act).

 

Section 4 – Schedules

 

This section provides that each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

 

Schedule 1 – Amendments commencing day after registration

 

Human Services (Medicare) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations)

 

Item 1 – Section 5

 

This item inserts definitions of:

  • allocation considerations by reference to new subsection 34A(2);
  • compliant manual application by reference to new subsection 35A(4).
  • compliant online application by reference to new subsection 35A(3);
  • default resumption day in relation to an application to lift a suspension, by reference to new subsection 35C(4);
  • default start day in relation to an application for an identification number to be allocated, by reference to new subsection 35(4);
  • HPOS system which means the Health Professional Online Services system maintained by Services Australia; and
  • ineligible for benefits by reference to new subsection 34A(3).

Item 2 – Section 35

 

This item repeals section 35 of the Regulations and substitutes new sections 34A, 35, 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E, 35F and 35G.

 

Section 34A – Identification numbers - preliminary

 

New subsection 34A(1) provides that sections 35 to 35F set out prescribed functions of the Chief Executive Medicare in relation to the allocation of identification numbers to certain health service professionals for places of practice for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act and/or the Dental Benefits Act.

 

Subsection 34A(2) is a definitional provision making clear that having regard to ‘allocation considerations’, in the context of the allocation of identification numbers, means having regard to the purposes of, operation of, and the efficient administration of, either or both the Health Insurance Act, the Dental Benefits Act, and the purposes for which identification numbers may be used.

 

Subsection 34A(3) is a definitional provision making clear that a person is ‘ineligible for benefits’ at a place of practice on a day if, on that day, there is no professional service or dental service that could be rendered by or on behalf of the person at the place of practice in respect of which a medicare benefit or dental benefit would be payable under either the Health Insurance Act or the Dental Benefits Act.

 

Section 35 – Identification numbers – allocation rules

 

Section 35 provides for rules in relation to the allocation of identification numbers.

 

Subsection 35(1) makes clear that a person is covered by the section if they are (within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act), a practitioner, an approved pathology practitioner, a participating midwife, a participating nurse practitioner, and optometrist, or a person who provides, or intends to provide, a health service determined under subsection 3C(1) of the Health Insurance Act.

 

Subsection 35(2) outlines circumstances, subject to subsections 35(6) to (8), in which the Chief Executive Medicare has no discretion and must allocate an identification number to a person for a place of practice, with effect from the default start day as determined under subsection 35(4), if the person meets all criteria under subsection 35(2). The criteria are:

  • the person is covered by the section, as provided for in subsection 35(1);
  • the person has applied to the Chief Executive Medicare for an identification number to be allocated to the person for a place of practice; and
  • if the application is made using the HPOS system, the application is a compliant online application and does not require additional verification; or
  • if the application is not made using the HPOS system, the application is a compliant manual application and the applicant has complied with any request from the Chief Executive Medicare for specified additional information or documents in connection with the application.

Subsection 35(3) provides that, for subparagraph 35(2)(c)(ii), a relevant application requires ‘additional verification’ if the HPOS system requires further documentation or the Chief Executive Medicare has requested specified additional information or documents.

 

Subsection 35(4) sets out the ‘default start day’ for applications made using the HPOS system and applications not made using the HPOS system. Paragraph 35(4)(a) provides that the ‘default start day’ for an application made using the HPOS system is the day specified in the application, if that is after the day on which the application is made, or otherwise is the day on which the application is made. Paragraph 35(4)(b) provides that the ‘default start day’ for an application that is not made using the HPOS system is the day specified in the application, whether that is the same day as the day of application or an earlier or later day, or otherwise the day on which the application is made.

Subsection 35(5) makes clear that if both paragraphs 35(2)(a) and (b) are met but subsection 35(2)(c) or (d), whichever applies, is not met then the Chief Executive Medicare has a discretion to allocate an identification number, with effect from the default start day as determined under subsection 35(4).

 

Subsection 35(6) provides that if the conditions in paragraphs 35(2)(a) to (d) are met, where they apply, and the applicant is not eligible for benefits at the place of practice on the default start day, then the Chief Executive Medicare has a discretion to refuse to allocate an identification number for the place of practice.

 

Subsection 35(7) provides that if the conditions in paragraphs 35(2)(a) and (b) are met, (regardless of whether applicable conditions in paragraph 35(2)(c) or (d) are met), and the person is not eligible for benefits on the default start day, the Chief Executive Medicare has a discretion to allocate an identification number with effect from any identifiable subsequent day on which the person will be so eligible for such benefits.

 

Subsection 35(8) provides that the Chief Executive Medicare has a discretion to refuse to allocate an identification number where either the applicant has not provided a street address for the place of practice, or information or documents provided by the person are false or misleading in a material respect.

 

Subsection 35(9) is an avoidance of doubt provision to make clear that the discretions in subsections 35(5) to (8) do not oblige the Chief Executive Medicare to consider whether to exercise the relevant discretion, and if the Chief Executive Medicare does not consider whether to exercise one of those discretions then the relevant subsection does not apply.

 

Section 35A – Identification numbers – compliant applications

 

Subsections 35A(1) and (2) provide that this section sets out when an application for the allocation of an identification number or an application for the lifting of a suspension is either a compliant online application or a compliant manual application.

 

Subsection 35A(3) provides that an application is a compliant online application if it is from a single person, is made using the HPOS system, and includes all information and documents (if any) required by the HPOS system to be provided with the application.

 

Subsection 35A(4) provides that an application is a compliant manual application if it is from a single person, is not made using the HPOS system, is in a form and made in a manner that has been approved by the Chief Executive Medicare or a Departmental employee, and for which required information and documentation has been provided.  The note to subsection 35A(4) refers to section 3 of the Human Service (Medicare) Act 1973 for the definition of ‘Departmental employee’, and that section relevantly provides that a ‘Departmental employee’ is an APS employee (within the meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901) in Services Australia.

 

Section 35B – Identification numbers – suspending allocations

 

Subsection 35B(1) provides that where a person has been allocated an identification number and they have requested in writing that the allocation be suspended, then the Chief Executive Medicare must suspend the allocation with effect from the day specified in the request, if that is after the day on which the request is made, but if that day specified is not after the day the request is made, then the start day is the day on which the request is made.

Subsection 35B(2) provides that where a person has been allocated an identification number and no medicare benefit would be payable under the Health Insurance Act or the Dental Benefits Act in respect of a relevant service on the decision day, then the Chief Executive Medicare may suspend the allocation with effect from a day that the Chief Executive Medicare considers appropriate, which must not be earlier than the decision day.

Subsection 35B(3) provides that, where the Chief Executive Medicare decides to suspend the allocation under subsection 35B(2), then the day that decision is made is the ‘decision day’.

Subsection 35B(4) is an avoidance of doubt provision to make clear that the discretion in subsection 35B(2) does not require the Chief Executive Medicare to consider whether to exercise the discretion to suspend the allocation under that subsection. Paragraph 35B(4)(b) further provides that if the Chief Executive Medicare decides not to exercise their discretion under subsection 35B(2) that subsection does not apply to the relevant allocation of an identification number.

Section 35C – Identification numbers – lifting suspensions

 

Subsection 35C(1) provides that this section applies where an allocation of an identification number to a person for a place of practice is suspended. 

Subsection 35C(2) provides that the Chief Executive Medicare must, subject to subsections 35C(6) to (8), lift a suspension from the default resumption day (see subsection 35C(4)), if the following conditions are satisfied:

  • the person is covered by section 35, having regard to subsection 35(1);
  • the person has applied to the Chief Executive Medicare to lift the suspension;
  • the application is a compliant online or manual application and relevant additional verification or information has been provided.

Subsection 35C(3) makes clear that, for the purposes of subparagraph 35C(2)(c)(ii), an application made using the HPOS system requires additional verification if the HPOS system requires such documentation or the Chief Executive Medicare has requested additional information or documents.

 

Subsection 35C(4) provides for the ‘default resumption day’ in relation to an application to lift a suspension in specified circumstances. Paragraph 35C(4)(a) provides that the default resumption day for an application to lift a suspension made using the HPOS system is the day specified in the application, if that is after the day on which the application is made, but otherwise the default resumption day is the day on which the application is made. Paragraph 35C(4)(b) provides that the default resumption day for an application that is not made using the HPOS system is the day specified in the application, whether that is the same day as the day of application or an earlier or later day, but that if no day is specified then the default resumption day is the day on which the application is made.

Subsections 35C(5) makes clear that if both paragraphs 35C(2)(a) and (b) are met but the applicable paragraph 35C(2)(c) or (d) is not met then the Chief Executive Medicare may lift the suspension with effect from the default resumption day (as provided for in subsection 35C(4)).

 

Subsection 35C(6) provides that where paragraphs 35C(2)(a) to (d) are all met but the person is ineligible for benefits then the Chief Executive Medicare may refuse to lift the suspension.

 

Subsection 35C(7) provides that where paragraphs 35C(2)(a) and (b) are met and the person is ineligible for benefits on the default resumption day, but there is a later identifiable day on which person will be relevantly eligible for benefits, then the Chief Executive Medicare may lift the suspension from the earliest such identifiable day.

 

Subsection 35C(8) provides that where paragraphs 35C(2)(a) and (b) are met and the information included in, or documents accompany, the person’s application to lift the suspension, or information or documents given by the person to the Chief Executive Medicare in connection with that application are false or misleading in a materials respect, the Chief Executive Medicare may refuse to lift the suspension.

 

Subsection 35C(9) is an avoidance of doubt provision to make clear that the discretions in subsections 35C(5) to (8) do not require the Chief Executive Medicare to consider whether to exercise those discretions, and where the Chief Executive Medicare does not consider whether to exercise one of those discretions, then the relevant subsection does not apply in relation to the suspension.

 

Section 35D – Identification numbers – revoking allocations

 

Section 35D provides that if a person who has been allocated an identification number dies, then the Chief Executive Medicare may revoke the allocation with effect from the day on which that person died.

The provisions in sections 35, 35C and 35D provide for a range of days of effect in relation to the allocation, lifting of suspension and revocation of identification numbers that include periods before the date of application and date of decision.  The relevant provisions have been designed to have retrospective effect in order to preserve longstanding practice in relation to the allocation, lifting of suspension and revocation of these numbers.  This approach to retrospectivity is considered necessary and appropriate in order to provide certainty to relevant practitioners and other stakeholders, and also to ensure that patients are not exposed to unexpected changes in entitlements to relevant benefits. Retrospective effect will not disadvantage rights or impose liabilities on a person other than the Commonwealth. The arrangements set out in these provisions are also considered appropriate as they enable continuation of longstanding practice for an interim period pending the commencement of relevant provisions of the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025 in late 2026, unless commenced earlier on a date fixed by royal proclamation, which will effect continuation of identical arrangements providing for retrospective effect explicitly supported by legislation.

Section 35E – Identification numbers – notifying decisions

Subsection 35E(1) provides for notification to applicants where the Chief Executive Medicare allocates an identification number under subsection 35(2), (5) or (7) to a person for a place of practice. Where a decision to allocate an identification number is made under one of those subsections, the Chief Executive Medicare must cause the applicant to be notified of the decision, the identification number and place of practice, and the day on which the identification number takes effect.

Subsection 35E(2) provides for notification to applicants where the Chief Executive Medicare refuses to allocate a provider number under subsection 35(6) or (8). The Chief Executive Medicare must cause the applicant to be notified in writing of the decision and the reasons for the decision.

Subsection 35E(3) provides that for a decision under subsection 35B(1) to suspend an identification number at the request of the relevant person, the Chief Executive Medicare must, in relation to a request that was made using the HPOS system, cause the HPOS system to be updated to indicate that the suspension is in effect. Where the request was not made using the HPOS system, the CEO must cause the applicant to be notified in writing of the decision and the day on which the decision takes effect.

Subsection 35E(4) provides that where the Chief Executive Medicare suspends an identification number other than at the request of a relevant person under subsection 35B(2), the Chief Executive Medicare must cause that person to be notified in writing of:

  • the decision;
  • the reasons for the decision; and
  • the day on which the suspension takes effect.

Subsection 35E(5) provides that for a decision to lift a suspension under subsections 35C(2), (5) or (7), the Chief Executive Medicare must, in relation to a request that was made using the HPOS system, cause the HPOS system to be updated to indicate that the suspension is in effect. Where the request was not made using the HPOS system, the CEO must cause the applicant to be notified in writing of the decision and the day on which the decision takes effect.

Subsection 35E(6) provides that for a decision to refuse the lifting of a suspension under subsection 35C(6) or (8), the Chief Executive Medicare must cause an applicant to be notified in writing of the decision and the reasons for the decision.

Section 35F – Identification numbers – Chief Executive Medicare’s reconsideration of decisions

 

Section 35F sets out arrangements related to internal reconsideration of a decision by the Chief Executive Medicare.

 

Subsection 35F(1) provides that a person who is the subject of the following kind of decision may request in writing for the Chief Executive Medicare to reconsider the decision:

  • a decision made under subsection 35(6) or (8) to refuse to allocate an identification number for a place of practice;
  • a decision made under subsection 35B(2) to suspend the allocation of an identification number;
  • a decision made under subsection 35C(6) or (8) to refuse to lift the suspension of the allocation of an identification number.

Subsection 35F(2) provides that the request for internal reconsideration must be made before the end of 30 days beginning on the day on which the Chief Executive Medicare notified that person of the decision, or such longer period that the Chief Executive Medicare allows for making the request for internal reconsideration.

Subsection 35F(3) provides that in making the request, the person must set out the reasons they are seeking the reconsideration decision. 

Importantly, health professionals are not limited in the number of applications they can make in relation to identification numbers for a place of practice including the allocation of an identification number, suspension of an identification number, lifting of suspension of a person or changing the dates of allocation or suspension of the identification number. The submission of a new application can be pursued as an alternative to submitting an internal reconsideration review. Health professionals are encouraged to discuss with Services Australia whether they wish to submit a new application or apply for internal reconsideration.

Subsection 35F(4) provides that a request for reconsideration by the Chief Executive Medicare of a decision to refuse to allocate an identification number for a place of practice made under subsection 35(6) or (8) is withdrawn if the person makes another application under section 35 before the Chief Executive Medicare made a decision following the reconsideration. This ensures that Services Australia is not required to deal contemporaneously with a new application for an identification number for a place of practice and a reconsideration of a decision not to allocate a provider number to the health professional for a place of practice.

Subsections 35F(5) to (8) provide for the actions to be completed by the Chief Executive Medicare on receipt of a person’s request for reconsideration of a decision.

Subsection 35F(5) provides that on receiving a request for reconsideration of a decision, the Chief Executive Medicare must:

  • affirm, vary or set aside the original decision; and
  • if the Chief Executive Medicare sets aside the original decision, the Chief Executive Medicare may make such other decision that the Chief Executive Medicare thinks appropriate.

Subsection 35F(6) requires the Chief Executive Medicare to make their reconsideration decision before the end of 60 days beginning on the day the Chief Executive Medicare receives the request, or any longer period agreed between the Chief Executive Medicare and the applicant for reconsideration.

Subsection 35F(7) provides that the Chief Executive Medicare must give the applicant for reconsideration written notice of their reconsideration decision and reasons for the decision. The note to subsection 35F(7) provides that section 266 of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 requires that the person be notified of their review rights.

Subsection 35F(8) provides that the Chief Executive Medicare’s decision on reconsideration will take effect on:

  • the day specified in the notice; or
  • if the notice does not specify a day, the day on which the decision is made by the Chief Executive Medicare.

Under subsection 35F(9), if the Chief Executive Medicare has not notified the health professional before the 60 day period mentioned in subsection 35F(6), or in such additional time agreed for subsection 35F(6), the Chief Executive Medicare is taken to have affirmed the original decision that is under reconsideration. This provision ensures that a health professional seeking internal reconsideration of a relevant decision will have certainty about when their internal reconsideration decision will be made, or will be taken to have been made.

Section 35G – Identification numbers – Administrative Review Tribunal review of decisions

Section 35G provides that a person can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for review of a decision made by the Chief Executive Medicare under subsection 35F(5), or taken to have been made by the Chief Executive Medicare under subsection 35F(9). 

Section 35G ensures that where a health professional has received an adverse internal reconsideration decision in relation to their application for an identification number, they are able to seek independent, external merits review of those decisions.

Item 3 – Part 5 (after the heading)

This item inserts a new Division 1 heading into the Regulations for provisions relating to this instrument as made.

Item 4 – After section 39

This item inserts a new Division 2 heading into the Regulations relating to the Aged Care Legislation Consequential Amendments Regulations 2025.

Item 5 – In the appropriate position in Part 5

This item inserts a new Division 3 heading and new section 41 into the Regulations relating to the Amendment Regulations.

Section 41 provides that an identification number that, before the commencement of this section was allocated, or taken to have been allocated, to a person in relation to a place of practice, and that was in effect immediately before the commencement of this section, has effect on and after that commencement as if it were an identification number allocated to that person for that place of practice under section 35 as substituted by Schedule 1 to the Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026.

This provision will ensure that an allocation of an identification number that was made prior to commencement of the provision, will have effect on and after that commencement.

 

Schedule 2 – Amendments commencing later

Item 1 – Section 5

This item repeals the definitions of ‘allocation considerations’, ‘compliant manual application’, ‘compliant online application’, ‘default resumption day’, ‘default start day’, ‘HPOS system’ and ‘ineligible for benefits’ in the Regulations at the same time as Schedule 1 to the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025 commences.

Item 2 – Sections 34A to 35G

This item, when read with the commencement provisions at section 2 of the Amendment Regulations, provides for the repeal of the relevant provisions at the same time as Schedule 1 to the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025 commences.

Item 3 – Division 3 of Part 5

This item, when read with the commencement provisions at section 2 of the Amendment Regulations, provides for the repeal of the relevant Division at the same time as Schedule 1 to the Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Act 2025 commences.

 

 

 

 


Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026

The Human Services (Medicare) Amendment (Allocation of Identification Numbers) Regulations 2026 (the Amendment Regulations) is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Disallowable Legislative Instrument

The purpose of the Amendment Regulations is to amend the Human Services (Medicare) Regulations 2017 to empower the Chief Executive Medicare to take into consideration a range of factors in performing the function of allocating identification numbers for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act 1973 and the Dental Benefits Act 2008, and to give the Chief Executive Medicare the function of suspending and revoking the allocation of an identification number.

 

Human rights implications

The Amendment Regulations engage Articles 9 and 12 of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), specifically the rights to health and social security.

The Right to Health

The right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is contained in Article 12(1) of the ICESCR. The UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (the Committee) has stated that the right to health is not a right for each individual to be healthy, but is a right to a system of health protection which provides equality of opportunity for people to enjoy the highest attainable level of health.

The Committee reports that the ‘highest attainable standard of health’ takes into account the country’s available resources. This right may be understood as a right of access to a variety of public health and health care facilities, goods, services, programs, and conditions necessary for the realisation of the highest attainable standard of health.

The Right to Social Security

The right to social security is contained in Article 9 of the ICESCR. It requires that a country must, within its maximum available resources, ensure access to a social security scheme that provides a minimum essential level of benefits to all individuals and families that will enable them to acquire at least essential health care. Countries are obliged to demonstrate that every effort has been made to use all resources that are at their disposal in an effort to satisfy, as a matter of priority, this minimum obligation.

The Committee reports that there is a strong presumption that retrogressive measures taken in relation to the right to social security are prohibited under ICESCR. In this context, a retrogressive measure would be one taken without adequate justification that had the effect of reducing existing levels of social security benefits, or of denying benefits to persons or groups previously entitled to them. However, it is legitimate for a Government to re-direct its limited resources in ways that it considers to be more effective at meeting the general health needs of all society, particularly the needs of the more disadvantaged members of society.

The right of equality and non-discrimination

The rights of equality and non-discrimination are contained in articles 2, 16 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 26 of the ICCPR requires that all persons are equal before the law, are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law and in this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Analysis

The Amendment Regulations maintain the rights to health and social security and the right of equality and non-discrimination by ensuring access to publicly subsidised medical services are clinically and cost-effective as intended.

The Amendment Regulations support the governing framework for the payment of Medicare benefits in the interests of consumers and improve the information provided to consumers to allow them to make more informed choices.

Regularising allocation of identification numbers improves the administration of the Medicare framework. Practitioners will find it easier to apply to provide Medicare services and make lawful claims for services that maintain patients’ health. This will enable healthcare to be provided at no cost or reduced cost to patients.

Conclusion

This instrument is compatible with human rights as it maintains the right to health, the right to social security and the right of equality and non-discrimination. It does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Katy Gallagher

Minister for Government Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.