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Tax & thresholds
The Medicare Levy Surcharge, the government rebate and Lifetime Health Cover loading: what each one costs you this year, and the cover that removes it.
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2026–27 figures, checked against the ATO
Does Medicare cover dental? What it pays in 2026, and what it does not
Medicare covers dental for one big group: children on the CDBS, capped at A$1,158 over two years from 2026. The exceptions, public dental and costs, dated.
Public vs private hospital in Australia: what actually changes for the patient
Public patients waited a median 53 days on Australian elective surgery lists in 2024–25, insured patients 28. What each choice costs, in dollars, and why.
Private health insurance rebate 2026–27: tiers, percentages and what you actually get back
The rebate percentages from 1 April 2026 for every income tier and age band, how to claim it, and the two ways people get it wrong. Checked against the ATO.
Do I need private health insurance in Australia?
The Medicare Levy Surcharge starts at A$105,000 for singles in 2026–27. The break-even arithmetic, the rebate, the loading, and when the answer is no.
Turning 31: the 1 July health insurance deadline
The Lifetime Health Cover deadline is the 1 July after your 31st birthday, not the birthday. The base day calendar to 2029, and what 2% a year costs.
Medicare levy exemption 2025–26: who qualifies, and what it is worth
The three Medicare levy exemption categories for 2025–26, what a full or half exemption is worth in dollars, and how to claim it at question M1.
Medicare levy 2025–26: who pays the 2%, and who does not
The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income. The 2025–26 thresholds, what the levy costs in dollars, who is exempt, and why it is not the surcharge.
Lifetime Health Cover loading: the 2% a year, explained
The LHC loading adds 2% a year to a hospital premium, up to 70%. Your base day, the 1,094-day rule, the 10-year removal, and what each year costs in dollars.
Medicare Levy Surcharge 2026–27: thresholds, rates and what it costs you
The 2026–27 MLS thresholds from the ATO, what the surcharge costs at each income level, and the exact cover that removes it. Updated 17 September 2026.
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