myGov, Medicare and finance apps
From the weekly shop, to paying bills or making a Medicare claim, apps help make almost everything easier.
Learn how to access government services such as Medicare, do your banking, make payments, and get meals and groceries delivered, all via an app.
Before you begin
Many of the apps in this course require you to put in important personal information such as banking details or ID. You should only use these apps when connected to home Wi-Fi or the mobile data network. Never use them when connected to public Wi-Fi. You should also always be aware of who may be able to see your device screen over your shoulder.
The Medicare and government services apps
You used to have to visit a government office to access Medicare services, but now you can use an app:
- Download the official Medicare app from your device’s official app store.
- You can make claims and check certain medical records using the Medicare app.
- Set up the app using your myGov account.
Other government services apps are state-based (e.g. ServiceNSW and Service Victoria). You can use government services apps to:
- Store ID such as a digital copy of your driver licence.
- Get information about vouchers, events, and natural disasters.
- Manage your car rego.
- Check the status of your driver licence.
- See if you have demerit points.
If you have a problem or issue, you can always call Medicare on 132011, or your state’s government service and speak to someone to help.
Banking apps
You can use your bank’s official app to access your money on the go. Almost all banks today offer an app, so call your bank to see if an app is available. You can use your banking app to:
- Check your balances across your accounts
- Move money between your accounts
- Pay bills using BPAY
- Send money to others using BSB/account number or a PayID
- Secure your banking app using your fingerprint or FaceID
- Call your bank directly from the app.
Payment apps
You can use payment apps as an alternative to your main banking account, especially when making small payments. This can be as simple as using cash, but with the security of an app.
- PayPal is an app for making small payments and buying things online.
- You can send money to a friend using PayPal and just their email address.
- An app such as Splitwise helps you split costs at a restaurant or while on holiday.
- When you enter amounts into Splitwise, it automatically works out the amount everyone in the group needs to pay.
Setting up and using payment apps takes a few steps. You can find out more about the services behind these app in the How to pay online course.
Supermarket apps
You can use an app to order groceries from the supermarket and have them made ready for pick up, or delivered to your door:
- Supermarket apps let you shop using your device.
- Tap items to add them to your cart, then choose a date and time to have them delivered.
- You can also have the items made ready to be loaded directly into your car boot, or in a trolley at the service counter if you don’t use a car.
- Some supermarket apps include the weekly special catalogue, so you can shop for specials.
- Delivery times are usually the next day, but you can pay extra for a two-hour delivery.
- Ask at your local supermarket which app you need to shop there.
Meal delivery apps
You can use an app to get meals delivered from your favourite local restaurant:
- Examples include Uber Eats, and DoorDash.
- Choose a favourite restaurant in the app, and order a meal.
- A driver will bring the meal to your door ASAP, or you can nominate a time.
- The app charges a service fee, usually 1.5%, and a delivery fee based on distance of $3-8.
- After you use it a few times, the delivery app will start to make recommendations of new restaurants based on your previous orders.