Australian Medicare Number Generator
AustraliaGenerate valid-format Australian Medicare card numbers with correct check digits for testing. Medicare numbers are 10-11 digits identifying individuals enrolled in Medicare.
Generator
Validate Medicare Number
Medicare Number Format
Full Format: 10 digits + IRN (1 digit)
Example: 2123 45670 1
First digit: 2-6 (state code)
Check digit: Position 9 (Luhn-like)
IRN: Individual Reference Number (1-9)
State Codes
Testing Only
These are randomly generated numbers for testing purposes only. Fraudulent use of Medicare numbers is a criminal offence.
What is This Tool?
An Australian Medicare number generator creates fictional 10-digit Medicare card numbers with valid check digits. Medicare numbers identify individuals within Australia's universal healthcare system and are required for bulk-billing, PBS prescriptions, and health insurance claims.
Medicare numbers are 10 digits: 8-digit base number, 1-digit issue number, and 1-digit individual reference (IRN, 1-9 for up to 9 people on one card). The check digit is calculated using a weighted sum algorithm. Cards display the number formatted as XXXX XXXXX X.
How the Medicare Check Digit Works
The 9th digit of a Medicare card number is a check digit calculated from the first 8 digits using a fixed weight pattern. Services Australia uses this so a typo in any single digit will fail validation.
- Multiply the first 8 digits by the weights
1, 3, 7, 9, 1, 3, 7, 9in order. - Sum the products.
- Take the result modulo 10. That is the check digit.
- The 10th digit is the issue number — it increments each time a replacement card is sent.
- The IRN suffix (1-9) at the end identifies the family member on a shared card.
Worked example for base number 2123 45670:
2·1 + 1·3 + 2·7 + 3·9 + 4·1 + 5·3 + 6·7 + 7·9
= 2 + 3 + 14 + 27 + 4 + 15 + 42 + 63 = 170
170 mod 10 = 0, so the check digit is 0 → 2123 45670.
The first digit is constrained to 2-6, which is how Services Australia partitions issuance ranges. A card number starting with 1, 7, 8, 9, or 0 is invalid by format alone.
Common Use Cases
Healthcare Software
Test Medicare claiming, bulk-billing, and patient verification in Australian clinical and practice management software.
PBS Systems
Validate Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescription processing and eligibility checking.
Health Insurance
Test private health insurance claims that reference Medicare numbers for gap payment calculations.
My Health Record
Validate Medicare-based authentication for My Health Record access and digital health integrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are generated numbers real?
No. Numbers pass check digit validation but are not registered with Services Australia.
What does the last digit mean?
The individual reference number (IRN) identifies which person on the card (1-9). Person 1 is the primary cardholder.
How long are Medicare numbers?
10 digits total: 8-digit card number + 1-digit issue number + 1-digit IRN. Displayed as XXXX XXXXX X on the card.