PHIAC | Surcharges and Incentives

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Private Health Insurance Rebate

30% Rebate

There is a 30% rebate for appropriate private health insurance cover.

All Australians are eligible to claim the 30% Rebate if they are eligible for Medicare and have a complying health insurance policy that provides hospital treatment, general treatment (previously called ancillary or extras) cover, or both.

The rebate is 30% of the actual cost of premiums paid, so the rebate will increase if there is any increase in the premium.

Higher Rebates for Older Australians

There are higher private health insurance rebates for older Australians. For people aged 65-69 years the Rebate is 35%, and for people aged 70 years and over the rebate is 40%. The higher rebates help with the cost of private health insurance for older Australians.

How to claim the Rebate

In order to claim the Rebate, your health insurance policy must be with a private health insurer registered under the Private Health Insurance Act 2007.

In addition, all of the people covered by the policy must be eligible, or treated as eligible, to claim benefits under Medicare.

There are three ways to claim the Rebate:

ask your private health insurer to provide the Rebate as a premium reduction
receive a direct payment from the Australian Government through your local Medicare office
claim it back on your tax return, using a statement your health insurer will provide at the end of the financial year.

If your employer has paid your premium on your behalf, you are entitled to claim the Rebate.

For more information

Consumers can seek further information on the Federal Government Rebate on private health insurance by visiting the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing web site at www.health.gov.au

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Private Health Insurance Administration Council

Suite 16, Level 1, 71 Leichhardt Street, KINGSTON ACT 2604
Telephone 02 6215 7900 | Facsimile 02 6215 7977 | Email phiac@phiac.gov.au

Last modified: 22 July, 2005