Understand your Medicare statusbefore lodging your tax returnUnderstand your Medicare statusbefore lodging your tax return
We assess your eligibility and ensure it is applied correctly in your tax return.
We help you determine your correct status.
Healthcare & the 2% levy
What is Medicare?
Medicare is Australia's public healthcare system. It provides access to subsidised medical services and is funded partly through a 2% Medicare levy automatically deducted from your taxable income.
Most working holiday visa holders are not eligible for Medicare benefits. If you are not eligible, you should not be paying the levy - and you can claim it back.
The way to remove the levy is through a Medicare Levy Exemption Certificate. This is applied when lodging your tax return, and can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Are you paying the 2% levy?
Most working holiday makers should not be
Not eligible for Medicare
Most 417 / 462 visa holders
Claim levy exemption
Recover the 2% paid during the year
Potential refund
$500 - $2,000+
depending on your income
We claim your Medicare levy exemption for you
Free initial consultation. We assess your eligibility, prepare your exemption certificate, and apply it correctly when lodging your tax return - so you get back what you should not have paid.
You may either pay the Medicare levy or be exempt, depending on your visa and country of origin.
From an RHCA (Reciprocal Health Care Agreement) country
If you are eligible for Medicare, we ensure it is correctly applied in your tax return so you only pay what you owe.
From a non-RHCA country
If you are not eligible for Medicare, we ensure your Medicare levy exemption is correctly applied so you don't overpay tax.
Not sure if you are eligible for Medicare?
We check your eligibility and apply everything correctly.
Check your Medicare eligibility →We handle this as part of your tax return
We determine your eligibility
We assess your visa type and country of origin to determine your Medicare eligibility.
We apply the correct treatment
We ensure the Medicare levy or exemption is correctly applied in your tax return.
We help you avoid paying unnecessary tax
We ensure you are not charged the Medicare levy if you are not required to pay it.
Medicare levy exemption
If you are not eligible for Medicare, you may need a Medicare levy exemption before lodging your tax return.
Common questions about Medicare
Do I need to sign up for Medicare?
You only need to sign up if you are from an eligible RHCA country. Otherwise, we apply the exemption in your tax return.
Why is the Medicare levy showing on my tax bill?
If your Medicare status was not applied correctly, the levy may appear. We fix this when preparing your tax return.
I do not use Medicare - why am I being charged?
If no exemption is applied, the ATO may charge the levy automatically. We apply the correct exemption so you do not overpay.
Does travel insurance replace Medicare?
No. Travel insurance and Medicare are separate systems. If you are not eligible for Medicare, you should rely on your travel insurance for medical coverage.
Does my Working Holiday visa affect Medicare?
Yes. Most Working Holiday visa holders are not eligible for Medicare, unless they are from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) country. We ensure your Medicare status is correctly applied in your tax return.
Can I get a Medicare card on a Working Holiday visa?
Only if you are from an eligible RHCA country. Otherwise, we apply a Medicare levy exemption instead.
You are all set to lodge your tax return
We ensure your Medicare status is correctly applied so you do not overpay tax.
Start your tax return →