Lifetime Health Cover loading

Birthday porcelain pig wearing a party hat

Lifetime Health Cover loading

Turning 31 and don't have hospital cover?

Lifetime Health Cover loading, or LHC, is a Australian Government initiative designed to encourage more people to take out hospital cover sooner rather than later. If you take out hospital cover for the first time before July 1 after your 31st birthday, you won’t have to pay any LHC loading.

The Facts

  • To avoid LHC you will need to take out hospital cover by July 1 after your 31st birthday
  • If you take out hospital cover after you turn 30 you will pay an additional 2% loading on your hospital premium every year
  • This amount is capped, but it’s at 70% (or 65 years old)
  • If you do have to pay any LHC, once you’ve consecutively held hospital cover for 10 years, you won’t need to pay it anymore
  • Your taxable income doesn’t have any impact on LHC
  • It is hospital or combined cover that you need to avoid LHC, not a standalone extras cover
  • When you’re shopping around for health cover, make sure you’re taking any LHC into account. A quote tool might not include LHC so make sure you factor that in when comparing options
  • Want more info? You can find everything you need to know here

 

Find a cover to suit you

 

Frank's favourite affordable covers

Accident Boost Hospital (Basic)

Minimum Basic cover with additional coverage available in the event of an accident
$ 17.90
per week
Select
  • Emergency Ambulance Cover
  • Upgraded cover in the event of an accident
  • Private Emergency Department Attendance Benefit

Entry Hospital (Basic+)

Entry hospital cover for some essentials
$ 19.35
per week
Select
  • Emergency Ambulance Cover
  • Dental Surgery
  • Joint Reconstruction

Private Hospital (Bronze)

Basic level private hospital cover with some exclusions and restrictions to keep costs down
$ 22.45
per week
Select
  • Emergency Ambulance Cover
  • Bone, joint and muscle
  • Digestive system

* The price shown is per week and applies to a Single, aged 30, living in VIC. It excludes LHC loading and includes a Base Tier Government Rebate

Get extras cover and save 15% - 40%* off dental treatments with smile.com.au

*Savings may vary between dentists. It is recommended that members obtain a quote prior to treatment.