Do I Need Medicare?
No. You don’t need a Medicare card to get an HIV test here.
If you’re a visitor, on a student or working visa, or just don’t have a card, you can still book and you’ll still get tested. Nobody gets turned away over this.
What Medicare actually changes
Two separate things, and it’s worth keeping them apart.
The appointment. It’s $120 for a standard 15 minute consultation. With a Medicare card you get $43.90 back, so you’re about $76.10 out of pocket. Without a card there’s no rebate, so the $120 is yours.
The test. Dorevitch Pathology takes the sample here on site. With Medicare, the pathology is bulk billed, so the test itself costs you nothing on top. Without a Medicare card, what you pay for the pathology depends on the health cover you have. Overseas student and visitor policies vary a lot on this, so it’s worth a call to your insurer before you come in.
Tell us when you book that you don’t have Medicare and we’ll work out what it looks like for you, rather than surprise you at the desk.
Why people ask
Usually because they’re worried the answer is “come back when you’re a resident”. It isn’t.
If you’ve had a risk and you’re worried about it, the paperwork conversation can happen after the blood is taken, not before.
What you get
You see a doctor, and there’s time to talk it through properly. Dorevitch takes the blood on site, it’s a laboratory 4th generation test, and your result comes by SMS the next day.
More on what it costs and how accurate the test is.
Booking
Phone 03 8575 6900 and ask for an appointment with Dr George Forgan-Smith for an HIV test.
Collins Street Medical Centre, Level 7/267 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000.
If it’s been less than 72 hours since the exposure you’re worried about, PEP is the time-critical thing, not testing. Go to a sexual health clinic or an emergency department today, or ring 1800 PEP NOW (1800 737 669). You don’t need Medicare for that either.
Fees are current as at July 2026 and can change. This information is general in nature and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Speak to your doctor about your specific situation.
Dr George Forgan-Smith, GP, practising in Sydney and Melbourne. AHPRA MED0001197864.