{"id":"F2021L01153","name":"Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Specification 2021","slug":"human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":102042,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2021L01153-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Specification 2021","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.png)\n\nHuman Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Specification 2021\n\nmade under paragraph 41G(b) of the\n\nHuman Services (Medicare) Act 1973\n\nCompilation No. 3\n\nCompilation date: 3 October 2024\n\nIncludes amendments: F2024L01262\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of the Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Specification 2021 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 3 October 2024 (the compilation date).\n\nThe notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.\n\nUncommenced amendments\n\nThe effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.\n\nApplication, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments\n\nIf the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nEditorial changes\n\nFor more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.\n\nModifications\n\nIf the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.\n\nSelf‑repealing provisions\n\nIf a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.\n\n1 Name of specification\n\nThis specification is the Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Specification 2021.\n\n4 Medicare programs\n\nFor paragraph 41G(b) of the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973, the services, benefits, programs and facilities specified in Schedule 1 are medicare programs.\n\n> Note Other medicare programs are specified in paragraph 41G(a) of the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973.\n\nSchedule 1 Medicare programs\n\n(section 4)\n\n| Item | Service, benefit, program or facility |\n| ---- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| 1 | Rural Other Medical Practitioners Program |\n| 2 | MedicarePlus for Other Medical Practitioners Program |\n| 3 | After Hours Other Medical Practitioners Program |\n| 4 | Temporary Resident Other Medical Practitioners Program |\n| 5 | Outer Metropolitan Other Medical Practitioners Program |\n| 6 | Life Saving Drugs Program |\n| 7 | Premium Free Dispensing Incentive |\n| 8 | Prescription Shopping Program |\n| 9 | Inborn Errors of Metabolism Program |\n| 10 | Australian Organ Donor Register |\n| 11 | Practice Incentives Program |\n| 12 | Aged Care Education and Training Incentive Program |\n| 13 | Medical Indemnity Program |\n| 14 | Midwife Professional Indemnity Scheme |\n| 15 | Radiation Oncology Registration Program |\n| 16 | Hearing Services Program |\n| 17 | Disaster Health Care Assistance Scheme |\n| 18 | Australian Health Survey |\n| 19 | Continence Aids Payment Scheme |\n| 20 | External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program |\n| 21 | Stoma Appliance Scheme |\n| 23 | Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Claim and Prior Approval Processing |\n| 24 | Claims processing and payment under Chapter 6 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 |\n| 25 | Lifetime Health Cover Mailout |\n| 26 | Aged Care Gateway |\n| 27 | Australian Immunisation Register |\n| 28 | Workforce Incentive Program – Doctor Stream |\n| 29 | Workforce Incentive Program – Practice Stream |\n| 30 | Thalidomide Survivors Support Program |\n| 31 | Australian General Practice Training Program |\n| 32 | MyMedicare Program |\n| 33 | Assisted Reproductive Technology Storage Program |\n\n> Note: Endnotes\n\n> Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nThe endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.\n\nThe following endnotes are included in every compilation:\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\nAbbreviation key—Endnote 2\n\nThe abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.\n\nLegislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4\n\nAmending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.\n\nThe legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.\n\nThe amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.\n\nEditorial changes\n\nThe Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.\n\nIf the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.\n\nMisdescribed amendments\n\nA misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nIf a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.\n\n> Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\n```html\n

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) /sub‑subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have effect

renum = renumbered

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given effect

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect

Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not commenced or to be commenced

No. = Number(s)

\n```\n\n> Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history\n\n| Name | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |\n| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |\n| Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Specification 2021 | 20 Aug 2021 (F2021L01153) | 21 Aug 2021 (s 2) | |\n| Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Amendment Specification 2023 | 3 May 2023 (F2023L00522) | 4 May 2023 (s 2) | — |\n| Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Amendment (MyMedicare) Specification 2023 | 28 Sept 2023 (F2023L01325) | 29 Sept 2023 (s 2) | — |\n| Human Services (Medicare) (Medicare Programs) Amendment Specification 2024 | 2 Oct 2024 (F2024L01262) | 3 Oct 2024 (s 2) | — |\n\n> Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history\n\n| Provision affected | How affected |\n| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |\n| s 2..................... | rep LA s 48D |\n| s 3..................... | rep LA s 48C |\n| Schedule 1 | |\n| Schedule 1................ | am F2023L00522; F2023L01325; F2024L01262 |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Scope has changed since the original 2021 instrument: Schedule 1 was amended by subsequent specifications (F2023L00522; F2023L01325; F2024L01262) as recorded in the legislation and amendment history (Endnote 3; Endnote 4). The compilation also records repeal of certain procedural sections (s 2 and s 3) in the amendment history (Endnote 4)."},"complexity_factors":["Simple statutory function: it performs a single mechanical task—declare items as ‘medicare programs’ (s 4; Schedule 1).","Large, heterogeneous list: Schedule 1 lists 33 distinct programs/services, increasing cross-sector reach and administrative interactions (Schedule 1).","Cross‑reference dependence: effect flows from the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973 (paragraph 41G(b)), so practical impact depends on provisions elsewhere (s 4).","Amendment history: Schedule 1 has been amended multiple times, requiring users to track consolidations and amendment instruments (Endnote 3; Endnote 4).","Compilation and commencement notes: the instrument relies on compilation practice, uncommenced amendments, and external Register references for full effect, adding procedural complexity (About this compilation; Uncommenced amendments).","Limited substantive rules: the specification does not set funding, eligibility or operational detail itself—those are implemented under other laws and admin practice, requiring cross-checking for operational impact (s 4)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument names the services, benefits, programs and facilities that count as “medicare programs” for paragraph 41G(b) of the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973 by listing them in Schedule 1 (s 4; Schedule 1). That formal classification determines which Medicare administrative and payment rules apply, so it directly affects the Department’s handling of claims, health providers who participate, and people who receive those services."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2021 specification listed fewer programs, but amendments in 2023 and 2024 have expanded the list from the original set to 33 items. Notable additions include MyMedicare Program (2023), Australian General Practice Training Program (2023), and Assisted Reproductive Technology Storage Program (2024). The scope has grown from traditional Medicare benefits to include workforce incentives, digital health registers (Australian Immunisation Register, Australian Organ Donor Register), disaster health assistance, and specialised support programs (Thalidomide Survivors Support Program). This reflects a broader policy shift to use the Medicare administrative infrastructure for diverse health programs beyond fee-for-service medical benefits."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short substantive content — only 2 operative provisions (sections 1 and 4) plus a schedule table","No defined terms in the body of the instrument — relies on definitions in the parent Act (Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973)","Simple tabular structure in Schedule 1 listing 33 programs by name only, with no operational detail or conditions","No cross-references within the instrument itself, other than the single reference to paragraph 41G(b) of the parent Act","Straightforward amendment mechanism — additions made by simple insertion of new items in the table","Bulk of document is standard compilation metadata, endnotes, and abbreviation keys rather than substantive law"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislative instrument names the government health services and programs that count as “Medicare programs” under the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973, giving Services Australia the legal authority to administer payments, registers and program delivery. It affects patients, providers, veterans and specific groups who rely on those services, and matters because it formally expands Medicare’s scope (including recent additions like MyMedicare and the ART Storage Program)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021","history":"/api/acts/human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/human-services-medicare-medicare-programs-specification-2021/documents"}}