Medicare Levy And The Medicare Levy Surcharge
Not everybody has or wants private health insurance, but it can make financial sense to take out hospital cover, and the Medicare Levy Surcharge offers you a sound reason for doing so.
At heart, it's a form of tax that encourages higher earners to take out hospital cover and ease the burden on our public health system.
Key Points
Single people earning over $97,000 or couples with a joint income of over $194,000 are generally liable for the surcharge. These threshold amounts apply to the 2024-2025 financial year.
The only way to avoid paying the surcharge is to take out eligible hospital cover.
Many cheap basic hospital cover plans will help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
The Medicare Levy Surcharge is a government initiative designed to reduce demand on the public healthcare system by encouraging higher-earning Australians to take out their own private hospital cover.
Though some people often confuse the two, the Medicare Levy Surcharge isn't the same thing as the Medicare Levy.
The Medicare Levy is a 2% tax paid by all Australians to subsidise Medicare.
The Surcharge is only paid by those who are single and earning $97,000 or more, or by families and couples with a collective income of over $194,000 (as of the 2024-2025 financial year).
The family threshold increases by $1500 for each child after your first one.
Why do I have to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
The idea behind the Medicare Levy Surcharge is to reduce the financial burden on our public health system.
It's designed to ensure that those who really need to rely on Medicare alone can access appropriate care, while providing incentives for those who can afford to go private to do so.
You have to pay the surcharge if your annual taxable income is above the Medicare Levy Surcharge threshold, and you don't have eligible private hospital cover.
If you earn under $97k (or you and your partner earn under $194k), you don't need to worry about the Surcharge.
When does the Medicare Levy Surcharge apply?
The Medicare Levy Surcharge applies to every day of the financial year that you don't have adequate private health insurance.
It's charged at a rate between 1% to 1.5% of your annual income.
Who is exempt from the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
If your taxable income is less than $97,000 as a single person or less than $194,000 as a couple or family in the 2024-2025 financial year, you're automatically exempt from paying the surcharge.
If you earn more than that and already have private hospital cover, you do not need to pay the surcharge for the period of your cover.
If you had a spouse for the full year, you may not have to pay the MLS if:
Your family income exceeds the $194,000, but your own income was $26,000 or less.
You had a new spouse, or you separated from your spouse, during the year. Note: You may still have to pay the MLS for the number of days you were single - but only if your income for was more than the single surcharge threshold over that time.
Likewise, you may be liable for MLS for the number of days you had a spouse or dependent children, if your own income for MLS purposes was more than the family threshold of $186,000.
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) work out if you need to pay the MLS based on the information you provide in your tax return. They usually include MLS with your Medicare levy. It shows up as one amount on your notice of assessment, called Medicare levy and surcharge.
Do I still have to pay the Medicare Levy?
As described above, the Medicare Levy is a separate charge from the Medicare levy Surcharge. The Australian Taxation Office lists circumstances which may qualify you for an exemption from the Medicare Levy.
What is the Medicare levy?
The Medicare levy is a small extra tax you pay on top of your regular income tax. It helps fund Australia’s public health system, Medicare. The levy is 2% of your taxable income.
You might be able to pay less or avoid the levy altogether, depending on your income and personal situation. You’ll need to check if you qualify for a reduction or exemption here.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) works out your Medicare levy when you submit your tax return. Usually, the tax your employer takes from your pay already includes an amount for the Medicare levy.
COMPARE & SAVEHow do I avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
If you don't fall into one of the exemption categories above and you're liable to pay the surcharge, the only way to avoid the surcharge is to take out eligible hospital cover.
A Basic level hospital policy is usually enough to save you money when it comes to tax time.
What health cover should I get to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
Most Basic hospital cover policies will help you avoid paying the surcharge.
But these low-cost policies tend to offer very little in the way of actual benefits, beyond ambulance cover and avoiding the Surcharge.
So if your primary motivation is to avoid the Surcharge, it makes sense to use our Service and compare what the cheaper policies are offering.
Sometimes spending just a few dollars more on a Bronze hospital policy ensures you avoid the Surcharge, while giving you access to items such as hernia surgery, appendix removal and gynaecological consults.
Is the surcharge different from the Lifetime Health Cover loading?
Yes. Lifetime Health Cover(LHC) is a 2% loading that's added to your premium for every year that you don't have hospital cover after the 1st of July following your 31st birthday..
While it's different from the Medicare Levy Surcharge, both can be avoided with adequate hospital cover taken out early in life.
Do I still have to pay the surcharge if I switch health funds?
If you're moving between private health funds you don't need to worry. As long as you maintain your level of private hospital cover, you'll remain exempt from paying the Surcharge.
Where can I buy hospital cover?
Our team can help you find a great deal on hospital cover from our panel of trusted insurers.
You can compare policies side-by-side to find a level of cover that helps you avoid the Surcharge, AND provides you with protection from common hospital and ambulance expenses.
Get in touch now and let our team help find the right plan for you.
COMPARE & SAVESources
Medicare Levy further information
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This guide is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial/medical professional before making any decisions.
Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.
Meet our health insurance expert, Chris Stanley
Chris's top health insurance tips
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An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.
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Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.
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Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).
