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Concreters & Stonemasons

Health Insurance for Concreters

Silica dust is the defining health risk for concreters and stonemasons in Australia. The engineered stone ban removed one source — but concrete, bricks, tiles, and pavers all contain crystalline silica, and 600,000 Australian workers remain exposed today. The right private hospital cover gets you access to respiratory specialists and monitoring before symptoms appear, not after.

Whether you are a sole trader, an employee, or a foreman — here is what concreters need to know about silicosis, workers' compensation gaps, the Medicare Levy Surcharge, and how to choose the right cover at the right cost.

1 in 4
Stonemasons who will develop silicosis — Lung Foundation Australia
600,000
Australian workers currently exposed to silica dust — Safe Work Australia
1 July 2024
Date Australia became the first country in the world to ban engineered stone

The Silica Crisis — What Concreters Are Actually Facing

Silicosis is not a distant risk. It is the fastest-growing occupational disease in Australia, and it is affecting workers in their 20s and 30s — unusually young for a lung disease that was once considered a condition of older workers exposed over decades.

The Lung Foundation Australia estimates 1 in 4 stonemasons will develop silicosis. Queensland screening found 223 out of 1,054 stonemasons diagnosed with the disease — a 21.1% rate — including 37 with progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe and irreversible form. These are workers who processed engineered stone benchtops. But the risk for concreters did not end with the engineered stone ban.

Concrete, bricks, pavers, tiles, and mortar all contain crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, drilling, or jackhammering any of these materials generates respirable silica dust. The Safe Work Australia Silica National Strategic Plan 2024–2030 projects 10,390 future lung cancer cases and 83,090 silicosis cases in the exposed population. Concreters are part of that population.

The engineered stone ban did not remove your risk
The ban that took effect 1 July 2024 covers engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs — the highest-crystalline-silica product. It does not cover concrete, bricks, tiles, or pavers. Broader silica regulations commenced 1 September 2024 apply to all materials with 1%+ crystalline silica content. Concreters remain in scope every day on the job.
Diagnosis is coming earlier — in workers in their 20s and 30s
Silicosis was historically associated with decades of low-level exposure. The Queensland screening results changed that picture. Workers are being diagnosed in their 20s and 30s after shorter exposure periods — particularly with high-crystalline-silica materials. The pattern suggests early exposure leads to disease earlier. Starting cover now, before symptoms appear, is the correct approach.
Construction fatalities remain high — silica is one part of a broader risk picture
There were 37 construction worker fatalities in 2024, representing 20% of all Australian work-related fatalities (Safe Work Australia). The serious claims frequency rate for construction is 8.8 claims per million hours worked. Concreters face injury risk from manual handling, machinery, and falls as well as long-term occupational disease — the health insurance decision needs to address both.
Workers' compensation has real gaps — private cover fills them
Workers' compensation only covers injuries and diseases accepted as work-related, while you remain employed by the same employer. Silicosis can develop years after the exposure period — by the time symptoms appear, you may have changed employers or be self-employed. Private hospital cover is independent of your employment situation and covers you continuously, regardless of whether a workers' comp claim is accepted or active.
Waiting periods mean you need cover before you need it
If you are diagnosed with silicosis or a related lung condition, it becomes a pre-existing condition for health insurance purposes. Funds apply a 12-month waiting period before covering treatment for pre-existing conditions. Starting cover now — before symptoms appear or a diagnosis is made — means you serve that waiting period without needing it. Waiting until you have a diagnosis means waiting another 12 months before your cover is useful.

The Medicare Levy Surcharge — What It Costs Concreters

The Medicare Levy Surcharge is an additional tax of 1% to 1.5% on your total taxable income if you earn above $101,000 (singles, 2025–26) without qualifying private hospital cover. It is assessed at tax time and applies to every dollar of income — not just the amount above the threshold.

The average concreter earns $80,000–$90,000 per year (SEEK 2024–25), which sits below the MLS threshold. However, experienced concreters, owner-operators, and those taking on larger contracts regularly earn above $101,000. At $105,000, the surcharge is $1,050–$1,575 per year in extra tax — often more expensive than hospital cover itself after the government rebate.

IncomeMLS/yr (no cover)Govt rebate tierBronze cover est.
$85,000Below thresholdFull rebate (Tier 0)~$1,050–$1,300/yr
$105,000$1,050–$1,575 (1.0–1.5%)Reduced rebate (Tier 1)~$1,280–$1,550/yr
$125,000$1,563–$1,875 (1.25–1.5%)Reduced rebate (Tier 2)~$1,300–$1,580/yr
$150,000$2,250 (1.5%)No rebate (Tier 3)~$1,400–$1,700/yr

Estimated premiums vary by fund, age, state, and excess. MLS threshold $101,000 for singles (2025–26). Sourced from the Australian Taxation Office. Government rebate income thresholds are indexed annually — see current tiers at privatehealth.gov.au.

37,200 concreters are employed in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia 2025), with 79% working full-time. Owner-operators who invoice directly, or experienced workers on commercial projects, are more likely to cross the MLS threshold than those in entry-level roles. If your income is borderline, check your prior year tax return and plan accordingly.

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Our agents understand the silica risk facing concreters and can compare hospital cover across Australia's leading funds — including respiratory specialist access, waiting period implications, and MLS avoidance. Free comparison, no obligation.

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What to Look for in a Policy as a Concreter

Four things matter more for concreters than for most Australians. Get these right and everything else follows.

01
Respiratory cover — the single most important factor
Silicosis and dust diseases require specialist respiratory physicians, high-resolution CT scans, lung function tests, and in severe cases lung transplant assessment. Access to this in the private system means shorter wait times and a choice of specialist. Confirm your policy covers respiratory conditions and inpatient specialist care — not all Bronze policies provide the same level of access. Silver and above typically provide stronger respiratory cover.
02
Start cover before you have a diagnosis
Pre-existing condition rules apply a 12-month waiting period to conditions that existed before you took out cover. If you already have silicosis or a diagnosed lung condition, that waiting period applies. Starting cover now — while you are asymptomatic — means you serve that period without needing it. Once the 12 months passes, the restriction drops. The longer you wait, the more risk you carry uncovered. See our guide to pre-existing conditions.
03
Choose an excess that reflects your actual risk
A higher excess (up to $750 for singles, $1,500 for couples/families) reduces your annual premium. If you are young and primarily want to ensure you have respiratory cover in place as a precaution, a high-excess Silver policy can deliver broad cover at a lower annual cost. The excess is only paid if you are actually admitted to hospital — if you never need an admission, the lower premium means you come out ahead every year.
04
Check musculoskeletal cover — concreting is hard on joints
Beyond respiratory risk, concrete work puts sustained load on knees, hips, lower back, and shoulders. Bronze hospital cover does not include joint replacements. Silver and above include joint replacement surgery (knees, hips) and spinal surgery. For a concreter aged 35 or above, or anyone with existing knee or back issues, the extra cost of Silver over Bronze is often worth it for the significantly broader cover.

Which Hospital Tier Is Right for a Concreter?

Bronze HospitalMinimum qualifying cover
Covers emergency treatment, surgery, mental health, rehabilitation, and most acute care. Qualifies you to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge. If you are young, earning below the MLS threshold, and primarily want respiratory cover in place before symptoms appear, a high-excess Bronze policy is the lowest-cost starting point. Note: Bronze does not cover joint replacements — if your knees or back are already under strain, consider Silver.
Silver HospitalBest fit for most concreters
Adds joint replacements (knees, hips), spinal surgery, and more complex respiratory and cardiovascular procedures. Concrete work is physically demanding — Silver gives you meaningful cover for the conditions most likely to affect a concreter over a working life. For anyone aged 30+, or anyone already noticing joint or back issues, Silver is the more appropriate choice.
Gold HospitalOnly if planning a family
Adds obstetrics/pregnancy and weight loss surgery to Silver's inclusions. Gold is the right choice only if you or your partner are planning a pregnancy. It costs significantly more and the additional benefits beyond Silver are limited for most concreters. Gold is not required to avoid the MLS — Bronze or Silver is sufficient. Do not pay for Gold unless you need it.

See our full guide to hospital cover tiers in Australia for a complete breakdown of what each tier includes.

Concreter Health Insurance Checklist

Before committing to any policy, run through this list:

Policy covers respiratory conditions and inpatient specialist care
Starting cover now — before any silicosis or lung disease diagnosis
Excess is $750 or less (required to qualify for MLS exemption for singles)
Hospital level cover — not extras-only (extras alone does not avoid MLS)
Silver or above if aged 30+ or already experiencing joint or back issues
Checked whether my income qualifies for a government rebate
Confirmed waiting periods and what applies to pre-existing conditions
Understood that workers' compensation does not replace private cover
Confirmed the fund has a hospital agreement in my area

If you are over 31 and have not held hospital cover before, LHC loading may apply to your premium. Use our LHC loading guide to understand the impact and when it clears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does private health insurance cover silicosis treatment?+
Private hospital cover gives you access to the specialist care that silicosis requires — respiratory physicians, high-resolution CT scans, lung function testing, and in severe cases, specialist lung transplant assessment. Workers' compensation may cover treatment if your disease is formally accepted as work-related, but it ends when your claim closes or you leave the employer. Private cover protects you independently of that claim, covers ongoing monitoring, and means you are not waiting on public hospital waiting lists for specialist appointments.
My employer says I'm covered by WorkCover — do I still need private cover?+
Yes. Workers' compensation (WorkCover) only covers injuries and diseases that are accepted as work-related, while you are employed. It does not cover you at home, after you leave that employer, for non-work health issues, or for conditions your employer disputes. Silicosis can take years to appear after exposure — by the time symptoms show, you may have changed employers multiple times. Private health insurance covers you continuously regardless of who you work for, where you are, or whether a workers' comp claim is accepted.
I'm a concreter earning $85,000 — do I need to worry about the Medicare Levy Surcharge?+
At $85,000, you are below the current MLS threshold of $101,000 for singles (2025–26), so the surcharge does not apply to you right now. However, experienced concreters, owner-operators, and those working overtime commonly earn above this threshold. If your income is likely to reach $101,000 or above in any financial year, you will owe the MLS (1%–1.5% of your total income) unless you hold qualifying hospital cover. At $105,000, that is $1,050–$1,575 extra tax at EOFY. It pays to get cover before you cross the threshold, not after.
What tier of hospital cover is right for a concreter?+
Silver hospital cover is the best fit for most concreters. Concrete work puts real strain on joints, knees, backs, and shoulders. Silver includes joint replacements and spinal surgery that Bronze does not. If you are younger and primarily want to avoid the MLS, a high-excess Bronze policy is the lowest-cost qualifying option. Gold is only necessary if you or your partner are planning a pregnancy. For concreters specifically, do not underestimate the value of cover for respiratory conditions — Silver and above typically include more comprehensive respiratory and specialist access than Bronze.
I've been exposed to silica dust for years — can I still get cover?+
Yes, but waiting periods and pre-existing condition rules matter. If you already have a diagnosed condition such as silicosis, it may be classified as a pre-existing condition by the fund, which means a 12-month waiting period before that condition is covered for hospital treatment. This is why starting cover early — before symptoms appear — is critical. Once you have held qualifying cover for 12 months, pre-existing condition restrictions typically drop away. The longer you wait to start cover, the more exposure you accumulate without protection. See our guide to pre-existing conditions for the full rules.
Does private health cover the specialists I need for a respiratory condition?+
Yes. Private hospital cover gives you access to specialist respiratory physicians in the private system, with shorter waiting times than the public system and a wider choice of doctor. CT scans, lung function tests, bronchoscopies, and specialist consultations can all be accessed through private cover. Your extras cover (if you have it) may also contribute toward out-of-hospital specialist costs. Workers diagnosed with silicosis or dust-related conditions who hold private hospital cover consistently report faster access to the ongoing monitoring they need.
What's the difference between the engineered stone ban and the new silica regulations?+
The engineered stone ban, which took effect 1 July 2024, prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. It targets the highest-risk material — engineered stone contains up to 93% crystalline silica. However, the ban does not eliminate silica risk for concreters. Concrete, bricks, tiles, mortar, and pavers all contain crystalline silica. Broader silica regulations that commenced 1 September 2024 under Safe Work Australia apply to all materials with 1% or more crystalline silica content — which includes the materials concreters work with every day. The risk did not end with the ban.

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Silicosis can develop years after exposure. The time to start cover is before a diagnosis — not after. Our agents compare hospital cover across Australia's leading funds and can explain exactly what applies to your situation. Free comparison, no obligation.

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