The private health insurance rebate is a government contribution to help with the cost of private health insurance. In other words, it's a a discount on your health insurance premiums.
The Australian government offers this discount to encourage more people to get private health insurance, which takes pressure of the public system (Medicare).
Depending on your income, age, family status and eligibility, you could get almost a third off the price of your premium.
Not everybody gets the same discount. There are tiers to determine how much the government will help out.
Single Income: $93,000 or below
Family Income: $186,000 or below
| Age | Rebate |
|---|---|
| 65 and under | 24.608% |
| 65 to 69 | 28.710% |
| 70 and over | 32.812% |
Single Income: $93,001 to $108,000
Family Income: $186,001 to $216,000
| Age | Rebate |
|---|---|
| 65 and under | 16.405% |
| 65 to 69 | 20.507% |
| 70 and over | 24.608% |
Single Income: $108,001 to $144,000
Family Income: $216,001 to $288,000
| Age | Rebate |
|---|---|
| 65 and under | 8.202% |
| 65 to 69 | 12.303% |
| 70 and over | 16.405% |
Single Income: $144,001 or above
Family Income: $288,001 or above
| Age | Rebate |
|---|---|
| 65 and under | 0.000% |
| 65 to 69 | 0.000% |
| 70 and over | 0.000% |
These rates have come into effect as of 1 July 2023. If you are a single parent or a couple (including de facto couples), use the family tiers. For families with children, the thresholds go up by $1,500 for each child after the first.
| Response | WA | VIC | SA | QLD | NSW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For tax reasons | 16.04% | 13.7% | 10.67% | 9.64% | 17.25% |
You're eligible for the rebate if your taxable income is under $144,000 a year as a single or $288,000 as a couple or family (the threshold increases by $1,500 for every dependent child after the first). You also must:
If you're eligible for the private health insurance rebate, you can get it one of two ways:
Your private health insurer can apply the rebate to your health insurance premiums. To claim the rebate upfront, you'll have to contact your health fund to let them know your rebate tier. Your provider applies the rebate directly to lower the cost of your premium.
When you lodge your yearly tax return online, you can claim your rebate as a lump sum (after paying a standard insurance premium throughout the year). The ATO can apply the rebate automatically when you enter the relevant information from your private health insurance tax statement into your tax return.
Unlike the Medicare Levy Surcharge, you can claim the rebate for any insurance policy, whether that's extras cover, hospital cover or a combined package.
If you choose to claim the private health insurance rebate as a premium reduction, you'll be asked to select a tier based on your estimated income – usually you do this when you take out or renew a policy.
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