Frequently asked questions
If you can't find what you need in these Frequently Asked Questions, try our Glossary or our explanation of how Standard Information Statements work.
- I've just turned 30; do I have to purchase private health insurance?
Private health insurance is optional - however if you don't purchase hospital cover by the 1st of July following your 31st birthday, you will pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading on top of the premium of any hospital cover you later purchase. See Lifetime Health Cover for further information.
- I've just become a permanent resident; can I purchase private hospital cover without Lifetime Health Cover loading?
Yes. If you are over 31, you have one year from the date you became eligible for Medicare benefits to purchase private hospital cover without incurring a loading. See Lifetime Health Cover for further information.
- I'm applying for a 457 visa; do I need private health insurance?
Yes. As of 14 September 2009, it is a condition of applying for a Visa Subclass 457 to make arrangements for a minimum level of health insurance. If your Visa was granted prior to this, your sponsor remains responsible for the cost of any treatment received in a public hospital. See 457 Visa Applicants for further information.
- I am visiting Australia from overseas; do I need to take out health cover?
Even if it's not a requirement under your visa, it is well worth considering taking out cover. If you need to visit a doctor or stay in hospital while you're here, you could be responsible for the full cost of treatment, which can be very expensive.
If you are visiting from a country that has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia you may be eligible to receive immediate necessary treatment in Australia's public system, but should still consider taking out cover.
Some visas may require you to hold private insurance while you're in Australia, such as the 457 visa or the temporary student visa.
See Overseas Visitors Health Cover for further information.
- I am a student from overseas coming to study in Australia; do I need to take out health cover?
If you are coming to study in Australia on a temporary student visa it is a condition of your visa to take out appropriate health cover. Students from Sweden or Norway may have special arrangements. See Overseas Student Health Cover for further information.
- What is the Private Health Insurance Rebate?
The rebate (also known as the Federal Government 30% rebate) contributes at least 30 cents for every dollar that you pay for private health insurance. The rebate is available for Australian residents with Medicare eligibility.
You can have the rebate automatically deducted off your premiums, receive a direct payment from the Government, or claim it back at tax time. See Private Health Insurance Rebate for further information.
- Do I have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is levied on payers of Australian tax who do not have private hospital cover and who earn above a certain income.
To be exempt from the surcharge, your hospital cover must be held with a registered health fund and must cover some or all of the fees and charges for a stay in hospital. General treatment cover without hospital cover will not provide an exemption. See Medicare Levy Surcharge for further information.
- How do I find my policy?
To find your policy and compare it with others:
- Find your fund in the List of Health Funds
- Search for your policy on the fund details page (search is located at bottom of page)
- Select your product and click 'Compare Policies'
- Click the 'Find more policies' button
- Search for similar products from the compare page
- Once you have selected some extra products (we suggest 6 maximum) click on 'Compare selected policies'
Contact the individual funds for detailed information about any policy you are interested in.