Medicare is the scheme that gives Australian residents access to health care. To help fund the scheme, most taxpayers pay a Medicare levy of 1.5% of their taxable income.
Reduction for people on low incomes
Your Medicare levy is reduced if your income is below a certain threshold and in some cases you may not have to pay the levy at all. The thresholds are higher for seniors. If your income is above the thresholds, you may still qualify for a reduction based on your family taxable income.
Medicare levy exemption
You may be exempt from paying the Medicare levy if you’re a foreign resident, a resident of Norfolk Island, not entitled to Medicare benefits, or you meet certain medical requirements. If you’re entitled to an exemption you need to tell us on your tax return.
Medicare levy surcharge
You have to pay the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS) if your income for Medicare levy surcharge purposes is above a certain threshold and you (or any of your dependants) don’t have appropriate private patient hospital cover. The surcharge is in addition to the Medicare levy.
