If I’m on My Family’s Medicare Card, Will They Know I’ve Had an Abortion?

If you’re on a family Medicare card, you might be wondering whether your parents, partner, or other family members will find out if you’ve had an abortion. If you are over 16 years old, Medicare protects your privacy, and your medical records remain confidential.

Will My Family Know I’ve Had an Abortion?

No. Being on a shared Medicare card does not give anyone access to your medical records. Your healthcare visits and prescriptions remain confidential.

The only way someone could see that you’ve had an abortion is if:

✔ They physically attend your appointments with you

✔ You tell them yourself

What About Medicare Claims History?

If you use Medicare to cover part of the cost of an abortion (such as a GP consultation or pathology test), this may appear in your Medicare claims history—but only if someone actively requests a copy from Medicare.

However:

✔ Medicare claims only show basic details (e.g., “GP visit” or “pathology test”), NOT the reason for the visit.

✔ PBS prescriptions (including abortion medication) do NOT appear on a Medicare claims history.

✔ Your Medicare claims history is not automatically sent to anyone.

How does age affect this?

In Australia, if a child under 16 is on a shared Medicare card, their parent or guardian can generally access their Medicare claims history. However, there are some important considerations:

Medicare Claims History Access

• Under 14 Years Old: Parents/guardians automatically have full access to the child’s Medicare history, including medical services, prescriptions, and claims.
• 14 to 16 Years Old: Privacy rules change, and Medicare starts restricting parental access. At this stage, the child can consent to keeping their Medicare history private, meaning the parent may not be able to view all claims.
• Over 16 Years Old: The child is treated as an independent individual for privacy purposes, and parents cannotaccess their Medicare records unless the young person provides explicit consent.

Your Right to Confidential Care

Abortion is legal, safe, and confidential in Australia. No one—not your parents, partner, or employer—can access your medical information without your consent.

If you have any concerns, Aunty Jane is here to support you and can guide you through the process discreetly and safely.

The information provided on this website by Aunty Jane in any format or medium, are for general information purposes only and are not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. The information made available by Aunty Jane do not provide personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To the extent permitted by law, Aunty Jane disclaims all liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information provided. For specific medical concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.