Medicare levy
Medicare is the scheme that gives Australian residents access to health care. To help fund the scheme, most taxpayers pay a Medicare levy of 2.0% of their taxable income.
If you want to work out your Medicare levy, you can use the Medicare levy calculator located at: https://www.ato.gov.au/Calculators-and-tools/Medicare-levy/
Reduction for people on low incomes:
Your Medicare levy is reduced if your income is below a certain threshold and in some cases you may not have to pay the levy at all. The thresholds are higher for seniors. If your income is above the thresholds, you may still qualify for a reduction based on your family taxable income.
Medicare levy exemption:
You may be exempt from paying the Medicare levy if you’re a foreign resident, a resident of Norfolk Island, not entitled to Medicare benefits, or you meet certain medical requirements. If you’re entitled to an exemption you need to tell the ATO on your tax return.
Medicare levy surcharge:
You have to pay the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS) if your income for Medicare levy surcharge purposes is above a certain threshold and you (or any of your dependants) don’t have appropriate private patient hospital cover. The surcharge is in addition to the Medicare levy.
Medicare levy funds the scheme that gives Australian residents access to health care. The Medicare levy surcharge may apply to high income individuals or families who don't have private patient hospital cover.