Reciprocal Health Cover

If you are visiting Australia to work and you have access to Medicare, depending on your circumstances, you may be required to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS). The MLS is an additional surcharge on top of the Medicare Levy which is paid by all taxpayers in Australia and helps to fund Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.

You will have to pay the MLS if ALL of the following apply to you:

• you are from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country and are eligible for a Reciprocal Medicare Card,
• you earn over the threshold amount of $90,000 a year for singles or $180,000 a year for couples and families*,
• you have overseas visitors cover without our additional Reciprocal Health Cover.

Please consult your tax advisor if you are unsure if the Medicare Levy Surcharge applies to you.

Do you have access to Medicare?

If you are from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) you will have access to Medicare.
Countries that have a RHCA with Australia include Belgium, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom.

How much MLS will you have to pay?

*Note: thresholds are effective 1 July 2015. On a family membership this increases by $1,500 per child after the first child. The family thresholds apply to single parent families and couples including de facto couples.

About Reciprocal Health Cover

Reciprocal Health Cover is an additional product that can be purchased in addition to your overseas visitors cover to help elimate this cost. While it doesn’t offer you any additional benefits for health services, it could help save you money. At the end of the financial year, you’ll receive a tax statement which can be provided to the Australian Taxation Office to exempt you from paying the MLS.

By purchasing Reciprocal Health Cover you may also be eligible to receive the Australian Government Rebate on your private health insurance. This rebate is an initiative where, depending on your income, the Government may contribute an amount towards the cost of your private health insurance. The rebate is reviewed annually and effective each year from April 1.

Please consult your tax advisor if you are unsure if Reciprocal Health Cover is right for you.

Note: ^Applicable rebate percentage changes annually from 1 April. ^#For more information visit ato.gov.au *On a family membership this increases by $1,500 per child after the first. The family thresholds also apply to single parent families and couples including de facto couples.