The Health Rebate Most Australians Keep Forgetting About

Check Your Private Health Insurance Rebate | See If You Qualify - Billy Explores AU
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Thousands of Australians May Be Missing Out on a Government Health Insurance Rebate — Have You Checked Yours?
Sarah M
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3 min read
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Thousands of Australians May Be Missing Out on a Government Health Insurance Rebate — Have You Checked Yours?
For many Australians, the cost of private health insurance has steadily crept up over the years. In March 2026 alone, premiums increased by 4.41% as an industry average. Worryingly, some funds have increased premiums by more, such as AIA by 5.98%, NIB 5.47%, Medibank 5.1%. While other funds have increased by less, such as GMHBA by 1.98%, and HBF 2.15%.
But what fewer people realise is that the government may already be helping to cover part of that increase in cost — through a little-known initiative called the Private Health Insurance Rebate . Depending on your age and income, that support could be more substantial than you think.
Are you now paying too much for your health insurance? Access your potential savings:
Step 1:  Select your current health fund below.
Step 2: Once you answer a few basic questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds*.
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What Is the Private Health Insurance Rebate?
The Private Health Insurance Rebate is a federal government subsidy designed to make private health cover more affordable for Australians.
According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), eligible Australians can receive a percentage rebate on their premiums , which helps reduce the overall cost of their policy.
For many people, this rebate is applied automatically as a discount on their monthly premiums . Others may claim it later as a tax offset at the end of the financial year .
How Much Could You Receive?
The exact rebate amount depends on a few factors including your age, income, and household status .
As a general guide:
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Many Australians receive around 24% off their premiums
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Older Australians may receive up to ~32% , depending on income thresholds
That can make a noticeable difference over time.
For example, in some cases, policies that might otherwise cost significantly more can end up being much more manageable on a daily basis once the rebate is applied.
Important: These figures are indicative only. Actual costs and rebates vary depending on your individual circumstances and the policy selected.
Could you benefit, and begin to save on your premium today?
Step 1:  Select your current health fund below.
Step 2: Once you answer a few basic questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds*.
Other Provider
Without Provider
So, who is Eligible?
The eligibility criteria are broader than many people expect.
You may qualify if you:
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Are an Australian resident
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Are eligible for Medicare
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Hold an appropriate level of private health insurance
That means a large portion of Australians — particularly those aged 50+ — may already be eligible, even if they haven’t actively looked into it.
Why Many Australians Overlook It
Despite being a long-standing government initiative, the rebate is often misunderstood or overlooked.
Some assume:
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 It only applies to retirees
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 It’s already fully factored into every policy
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Or that checking it requires complex paperwork
In reality, the rebate is already built into many policies , but whether you’re getting the right level of cover for your situation is another question entirely.
A Simple Way to Check What You're Entitled To
This is where comparison can make a difference.
Billy Explores allows Australians to quickly compare health insurance options and see how the rebate may apply to different policies — all in one place.
Rather than navigating multiple insurers individually, the tool helps you:
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 View policies from a range of providers
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Understand how pricing may differ after rebates
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Check options based on your age and circumstances
To get started, it's simple & quick:
Step 1:  Select your current health fund below.
Step 2: Once you answer a few basic questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds*.
Other Provider
Without Provider
Why More Australians Are Comparing Before Renewing
With premiums and living costs continuing to rise, more Australians are taking a closer look at what they’re paying, and whether it still makes sense.
Even small percentage differences can add up over time.
For many, the goal isn’t necessarily to switch — but simply to understand what’s available and confirm they’re not overpaying .
A Quick Check Could Be Worth It
If you already have private health insurance, or have been considering it, it may be worth taking a moment to see how the government rebate applies to you.
Many Australians are surprised to learn:
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 They were eligible all along
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Their current policy may not be the most cost-effective
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Or that better-suited options exist for their stage of life
See What You Could Be Eligible For
Billy Explores offers a free, no-obligation comparison tool that helps Australians explore their options in just a few minutes.
👉 Check your eligibility and compare health insurance options here
Sources: Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Services Australia. Rebate percentages and eligibility criteria are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances.
*iSelect does not compare all health insurance providers or policies in the market. The availability of policies will change from time to time. Not all policies available from its providers are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements, your stated needs and circumstances, not all policies compared by iSelect are available to all customers. Some policies and special offers are available only from iSelect’s contact centre or website. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
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