Lifetime Health Cover is a federal government initiative designed to encourage people to take out private hospital cover at a younger age and maintain it throughout their lifetime.
For every year you are over 30 and have no hospital cover, you will pay a 2% Lifetime Health Cover Loading.
You have until 30 June to take out private hospital cover, otherwise you will pay a loading on top of the base cover rate when you join later on in life. The loading is 2% for each year you delay joining, to a maximum of 70%. After 10 continuous years of cover, the loading ceases. The longer you wait to take out health cover, the more the loading increases!
Lifetime Health Cover does not affect everyone.
- Lifetime Health Cover does not apply to extras cover or Ambulance memberships.
- If you were born before 1 July 1934 you are not affected and you do not pay a loading.
Special rules apply to people in these categories.
- Leaving the Australian Armed Services or the Antarctic Division
- An immigrant or a refugee
- An ex Norfolk Island resident
- An Australian citizen but you were overseas when you turned 31
- No longer entitled to a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card

Do you still have questions? Here are some FAQs: