How can we help?
Popular searches
Loading…

ING Health Insurance

How to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge

Who does the Medicare Levy Surcharge apply to?

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is a tax applied to people who earn above $105,000 as a single and $210,000 as a single parent, couple or family and don't have an appropriate level of Hospital cover.

The MLS is designed to reduce the strain on the public system by encouraging people to go to private hospitals instead.

Don't I get taxed anyway?

Don't I get taxed anyway?

The simple answer is yes, most Australian taxpayers are charged the Medicare Levy. This is our contribution to supporting the public healthcare system.

However, the Medicare Levy Surcharge as the name suggests, is an additional tax of 1 - 1.5% which is applied to people over the income threshold.

It could cost you up to 1.5% extra

It could cost you up to 1.5% extra

The Medicare Levy Surcharge starts at 1% and increases up to 1.5% depending on your annual income. Without appropriate Hospital cover, this could result in up to $1050 or more in extra tax.

The income thresholds and surcharges that apply for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 are:

Singles

≤$105,000
$105,001-$123,000
$123,001-$164,000
≥$164,001

Families

≤$210,000
$210,001-$246,000
$246,001-$328,000
≥$328,001
Medicare Levy Surcharge

All ages

0.0%
1.0%
1.25%
1.5%

The income thresholds and rebates that apply for 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 are:

Singles

≤$105,000
$105,001-$123,000
$123,001-$164,000
≥$164,001

Families

≤$210,000
$210,001-$246,000
$246,001-$328,000
≥$328,001
Rebate

Base tier
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3

< age 65

24.118%
16.079%
8.038%
0%

Age 65-69

28.139%
20.098%
12.058%
0%

Age 70+

32.158%
24.118%
16.079%
0%

Source: Australian Tax Office. These thresholds apply for the 2026/2027 financial year. For families, and single parent families the threshold increases by $1,500 for each dependant child after the first. There are specific rules for calculating income for Medicare Levy Surcharge purposes. For more information visit the Australian Tax Office.

How to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge?