The number of Australians paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time continues to rise. New data from the Australian Tax Office shows the number of people who paid the Surcharge jumped from 768,537 in 2022-23, to 885,087 in 2023-24 – a 15% increase. The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applies to people who earn above the ATO income threshold and do not have Hospital Cover covering all members of their household. The thresholds...
Health insurance regulations mean top-level cover has increasingly become unaffordable for many Australians. That’s the finding in an Actuaries Digital article, which suggests that the 4 tiers – Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold – should be restructured. The number of Australians with Gold tier policies has dropped from 95% in 2005 to just 30% in 2026, due to younger claimers being concentrated on expensive Gold policies. This means many people do not have access to services such as private maternity cover, assisted reproductive services...
Australians with health cover are paying larger out-of-pocket costs for private treatment than ever, new data shows. The average Gap for private hospital treatment has climbed to $511.02 – an increase of 8.4% from the previous quarter, according to the latest statistics from government regulator APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority). Average Gaps for Extras Cover have increased to $65.02 – a 3.4% rise. Orthopaedic procedures remain the most expensive when it comes to out-of-pocket costs, with...
The cost of raising children continues to rise, with policies for families among the hardest hit in the latest health insurance premium increases.Analysis by health insurance comparison site healthslips.com.au found increases to Family and Single Parent policies have risen higher than policies that don’t include children.The government announced health insurance premiums would rise by an...
Senior Australians are facing a double whammy of health insurance cost rises, putting extra pressure on wallets during the cost-of-living crisis. Changes to the Private Health Insurance Rebate, coupled with high premium increases to policies that meet health needs of people over 65, mean senior Australians will be hit doubly hard by new health insurance changes. Currently the Private Health Insurance Rebate reduces premiums for people on low incomes by up to 24.288%, with reductions...
Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 4.41% on 1 April, but some Australians are already experiencing bill shock after finding their policies will increase by as much as 10.74%. In the past few weeks policyholders have been notified by health insurers about their premium rises on 1 April 2026 and in some cases, the increases are significantly higher than 4.41%. Analysis by health insurance comparison...
Out-of-pocket fees for Australians with health insurance have risen, new data shows. Statistics from health insurance industry regulator APRA reveal average Gaps for hospital treatment rose by 7.7% in 2025, from an average of $437.61 to $471.29. Gaps for Extras Cover claims were up 5.6% from an average $59.53 to $62.87. Despite the increased Gaps and the cost-of-living crisis, Australians are holding onto their health insurance policies. There was no change to...
The government has approved a 4.41% average health insurance premium rise for 2026 – the highest increase in 9 years. Every year, health insurers must apply to the Minister for Health and Ageing to raise premiums. Last year’s average increase was 3.73%, while the 2017 average was 4.84%. Policyholders will be advised of their premium change over the coming weeks, with new premiums effective from 1 April. The Private Health Insurance Rebate will also be reduced from 1 April...
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Yes. Health insurance policies, premiums and insurer promotions are regulated by the government. Read about how the government regulates private health insurers.
About making a complaintIf you have a concern about a medical practitioner or other healthcare professional, you can make a complaint.You can make a complaint about:Be clear about what you would like to happen:In Australia, the best organisation to contact to make a complaint depends on where you live. This is due to the complex...
When you are being treated in the Australian Health System, you have rights.Australian Charter of Healthcare RightsThe Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has developed an Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights that outlines your rights as a patient.The Charter applies to everyone, wherever they receive healthcare in Australia, including:The Charter says you...
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is the organisation responsible for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia.It works with the 15 National Boards to regulate Australia’s registered health practitioners and protect the public. It ensures the community can rely on a safe health workforce registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.The...
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) regulates 16 health professions, including doctors.It registers all regulated health professionals, including medical practitioners, against consistent, high-quality, national professional standards.The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) supports 15 National Boards to run the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).The NRAS objectives are to:The National Boards set the registration...
About allied health professionalsAllied health professionals are health professionals that are not:They work with you to identify and assess your health concerns. They also provide treatment and help your recovery. More specifically, they can help you take care of both your physical and mental health with these types of services:They are university qualified with specialised...
A registered nurse (RN) looks after people of all ages in a wide range of settings.They promote health, prevent illness and care for ill, disabled and dying people.An RN works with patients and clients in a:They play a crucial role in a healthcare team. They can assess people with acute, chronic and complex health conditions,...
In Australia, medical practitioners are organised into specialist medical colleges. These are member-based training organisations that cover a particular specialty.The colleges have official status and a licence to uphold medical standards in their areas of medicine.The colleges are responsible for:To practise as a medical specialist, you must be a member of one of the colleges.In...