More than 960,000 Australians could be missing out on Medicare refunds due to outdated personal details, according to Services Australia. A total of $260 million remains unclaimed, with average refunds estimated at $265 per person, and some individual amounts exceeding $10,000. Authorities are encouraging citizens to verify and update their bank details through the myGov platform, as failing to do so has prevented automatic Medicare payments from being processed.
Significant Refunds Tied to Outdated Banking Information
The unclaimed funds are largely due to recipients failing to update their banking information following account changes, such as switching banks or closing accounts. According to Services Australia, individuals may not even be aware that money is owed to them, as the system requires valid bank details for refunds to be issued automatically.
Each state has significant amounts waiting to be disbursed: New South Wales leads with $81 million, followed by Victoria ($64 million), Queensland ($51 million), Western Australia ($30 million), and South Australia ($19 million).
Australians are missing out on a staggering amount of Medicare rebates, as more than a quarter of a billion dollars in claims sit untouched due to outdated MyGov details.
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) May 28, 2025
Failing to follow up could be costing patients refunds they're entitled to, with those aged 18 to 25 the… pic.twitter.com/7CrLXVIWol
Mygov Users Urged to Take Immediate Action
Justin Bott, a community information officer with Services Australia, emphasized the simplicity of the process. In a recent interview with 9News, he encouraged individuals to log into their myGov account, navigate to ‘Task and notifications,’ and ensure their bank details are up to date. Once updated, any owed Medicare funds should appear in the individual’s bank account within three days.
“It only takes a couple of minutes,” Bott said. “It might not be you, but maybe it’s your child, your grandchild… get them to check as well.”
Broader Search for unclaimed Government Funds
The article also highlights that this Medicare backlog may not be the only form of unclaimed money individuals are entitled to. Australians are advised to explore federal and state databases for unclaimed funds, including cheques, dividends, bill overpayments, and superannuation accounts.
Relevant search tools include the ASIC unclaimed money portal at the federal level, along with individual state revenue and treasury offices such as Revenue NSW, the Public Trustee of Queensland, and the State Revenue Office of Victoria.
Public Urged to Spread Awareness
Authorities are recommending that individuals share this information with family members, particularly those who may not regularly check their online accounts. In many cases, people are unaware that they have refunds pending due to minor clerical oversights. By taking a few minutes to review personal information, thousands of Australians could receive unexpected financial relief.
The government continues to work toward reuniting citizens with their unclaimed benefits, but emphasizes that action from individuals is critical to ensuring funds are successfully delivered.
