The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) data collection contains information on services that qualify for a benefit under the Health Insurance Act 1973 and for which a claim has been processed. The database comprises information about MBS claims (including benefits paid), patients and service providers.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has access to the complete dataset held by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (the department) for approved studies, including data linkage projects (see AIHW Data Integration Services Centre).

The dataset is owned and managed by the department. The department has issued a Public Interest Certificate approving AIHW access to MBS claims data for research and statistical purposes.

The AIHW holds valuable data on a wide range of health and welfare topics and provides end-to-end data services to ensure strong evidence is available to the community, policymakers, researchers and service providers. For more information, see our services.

Collection details
Variables to support reporting and linkage
  • Age (Date of birth)
  • Sex/gender

Temporal coverage 

from 1/2/1984

Geographical coverage

National

Data availability

  • Publications
  • Summary tables published in electronic form
  • Statistics

Client specified tables on request which may be subject to data provider approval (charges apply).

Unit records are not available.

There are restrictions and limitations governing the availability or use of other data in this holding.

Data scope 

MBS claims data are an administrative by-product of the Department of Human Services administration of the Medicare fee-for-service payment system.

MBS services are available to all Australian residents who hold a current Medicare card and overseas visitors from countries with which Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA).

Methodology 

Admin data

Metadata information and data quality statement (DQS)

Not specifically available for this data collection, however, the metadata provided to states and territories may be useful to users of the data.

External links and information 

MBS online (Department of Health)

Statistics at Services Australia

Contact

[email protected]

*Data collection with restricted access