Melstra

Hi the tax benefit is presumably meaning that you avoid the Medicare levy surcharge if you hold hospital cover. However I understand that regardless of your policy type the MLS applies at an increasing scale for example a single person earning 90k pays 1% of their earnings should they not hold cover. What I am referring to is looking into you actually get for your money in terms of the policy monthly premium as it is not always the most competitive price or level of cover on 457 specific policies & as you are definitely limited to 457 cover this is not giving you access to a number of health funds insurance policies that are available on the market so I recommend that once you are a PR to shop around and see for yourself but in the meantime check the private gov website to see the MLS tables if you are earning under 90k as a single and around $180k as a family you won't have to pay MLS so the tax comment is irrelevant. That being said if it is a higher income bracket you will pay more. There is a handy table on the private gov website that shows if you would save or not. Been here over 11 years saved a lot of money by changing policies so hopefully you do too

It's a requirement by the government & will cover you but still prepare for out of pocket expenses for private treatment reciprocal rights gives us access to the public system & Medicare just be aware that 457 policies are generally more expensive & once you are a PR shop around for a better price & level of cover.

I understand where you are at its 11years in Feb for us & we are planning kids & seem to want to go back now which has never happened before, but with kids in the picture it's changed what's important & growing up here is nicer but it's not the same not having family around your children & also for support as it's a scary time having your first I love the back & forth idea maybe we can do that come back before they hit school age

Hi Mary I feel your pain my partner had one done without private cover too when we arrived & it's not cheap! If you're looking into insurance try a comparison company because they are not biased towards one fund & look for the best value & level of cover for you & your family. If you are using things like dental optical physio etc you can often claim back most of your premium get well soon

Guys once you get PR compare your health insurance 457 cover is not the best value for money none biased comparisons are the way to go & the staff explain & understand Medicare levy LHC government rebates etc it's tricky business with many variables but if you do it right you can be better off

Hello 457 insurance is not the best value it gets better once you are a PR. Medicare levy is standard & everyone pays it the Medicare levy surcharge however is additional to this and is applicable depending on your income so without insurance you can often be worse off financially if it's over 90k as a single & $180k couple or family your usually already saving money whether you use the insurance or not. Go to private health.gov.au it explains it easily & you can work out the cost v savings. It's tiered the more you earn the more MLS you pay. had to wait until I was PR though as they don't deal with 457 cover but very impressed hope this helps

If you're on a 457 your value for money isn't great but once you get PR it can be worth it in many ways

There are specific policies for 457 visas only & you have to stick with them until you get PR it's to prevent huge amounts of claiming that might have happened prior to this rule coming out

It's really worth looking into properly & having a consultation to see if it's worth it for you as there are so many variables to consider gap no gap which fund is best for what services you will use etc it's not just hospital cover it's extras too if you use optical dental check ups etc or need more complex work what you often spend you can claim back more than your premium and be better off.