Photo by Scott Whitehair, The Sydney Morning Herald.
A patient at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, August 1979.
Photo by Paul Matthews, The Sydney Morning Herald.
An assistant manager at the Medicare office in Bondi Junction, January 1983.
Photo by David Bartho, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Bob Hawke holding one of the first Medicare cards issued, October 1983.
Photo by Julian Zakaras, The Sydney Morning Herald.
The production line of the Australian Government's Medicare plastic card at Thorn Emidata factory in North Sydney, December 1983.
Photo by Paul Matthews, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Staff members at the Medicare office in Bondi Junction, January 1984.
Photo by Martin Brannan, The Age.
Paul Keating opening the Medicare office in Bankstown, February 1984.
Photo supplied by The Age Archives.
The Medicare open line took calls from many confused and concerned callers about the new health scheme starting, February 1984.
Photo by Trevor James Robert Dallen, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Two women, both named Deborah, with their Medicare cards, September 1987.
Photo by Alexander James Towle, The Sydney Morning Herald.
A general practitioner in New South Wales, August 1991.
Photo by Greg White, The Sydney Morning Herald.
A general practitioner with a mother and her baby receiving their first immunization shot, October 1992.
Photo by Troy Howe, The Age.
Prime Minister Paul Keating celebrating Medicare’s 9th birthday, February 1993.
Photo by Peter Rae, The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Medicare office in Castlereagh Street, April 2003.
Photo by Phil Carrick, Australian Financial Review.
A Medicare office in Sydney, October 2003.
Photo by Patrick Cummins, Australian Financial Review.
A Medicare Office in Sydney, November 2003.
Photo by Simon O’Dwyer, The Age.
Prime Minister John Howard announcing MedicarePlus, including the Medicare Safety Net, in Victoria, November 2003.
Photo by Pat Scala, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Labor Leader Mark Latham and Julia Gillard cutting the Medicare cake at the Australian Labor Party 43rd National Conference, January 2004.
Photo by Penny Bradfield, The Sydney Morning Herald.
A new Medicare smart card at Parliament House, June 2004.
Photo by Lisa Wiltse, The Sydney Morning Herald.
A Medibank Private office in Canberra, May 2006.
Photo by Sasha Woolley, Australian Financial Review.
A customer at a Medicare self-serve kiosk in Sydney, May 2008.
Photo by Angela Wylie, The Age.
Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke with Tanya Plibersek, Brian Howe, Neal Blewett and Cath Bowtell at a Labor party to celebrate Medicare’s 30th anniversary, February 2014.
A Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in New South Wales, 2023.
Photos supplied by Services Australia.
Neil Dabelstein, pictured here in 1984 and 2024, has been assisting thousands of people for the last 40 years in his customer service role with Medicare.
Photo supplied by Services Australia.
A 40 year anniversary commemorative Medicare card, February 2024.
Minister for Health Mark Butler and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrating 40 Years of Medicare at Australian Parliament House in Canberra, February 2024.