Western Australia

Health Insurance in Western Australia

Whether you're in Perth, Fremantle, Bunbury, or the Pilbara — private health insurance in WA follows the same national rules, but your local hospital network and specialist access depends heavily on which fund you choose.

$101k

Income where MLS makes hospital cover essential

24.288%

Govt rebate — reduces your real cost (2025-26)

Age 31

LHC loading kicks in after this birthday

Private Health Insurance in WA: What Matters Here

National rules apply in WA exactly as elsewhere — same four hospital tiers, same government rebate, same waiting periods. But WA has some specific considerations that make fund selection particularly important.

Perth has a well-developed private hospital sector

Perth's private hospitals are concentrated in the northern and southern suburbs. The major facilities are generally well-covered by most national funds, but network details vary — check before committing.

Regional and remote WA: cover can be limited

Outside Perth, private hospital options reduce significantly. In the Pilbara, Kimberley, and Wheatbelt regions, the public system is often the primary option. Medical evacuation may also be relevant — check your policy for emergency transport cover.

FIFO workers and remote income

Many WA residents in fly-in fly-out roles earn above the $101k MLS threshold. For FIFO workers, the Medicare Levy Surcharge calculation and rebate eligibility should be reviewed annually as income fluctuates.

Government Rebate for WA Residents (2025-26)

The Australian Government rebate reduces your premium by up to 24.288% for singles earning $101,000 or less. Claim it as a premium reduction through your fund. Source: privatehealth.gov.au — Insurance Rebate.

Income (singles)	Income (families)	Rebate (under 65)
≤$101,000	≤$202,000	24.288%
$101,001–$118,000	$202,001–$236,000	16.192%
$118,001–$158,000	$236,001–$316,000	8.095%
>$158,000	>$316,000	0%

Rebate rates apply 1 July 2025 – 31 March 2026. Higher rebate % at ages 65–69 and 70+.

Find the right cover for Western Australia

Our agents compare policies for WA residents — your real price after the government rebate, with hospitals that serve your area.

Compare WA cover →

Medicare Levy Surcharge — WA High Earners

Earn above $101,000 (singles) or $202,000 (families) without hospital cover? You pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge — 1%–1.5% of taxable income. Source: privatehealth.gov.au — MLS.

WA FIFO workers — income can change tier year to year

If your taxable income crosses the $101k threshold in a financial year (for example, due to bonuses, overtime, or FIFO allowances), you will owe the MLS for that year unless you held private hospital cover for the full year. Review your income and cover status annually — ideally before 30 June.

Private Hospitals in Western Australia

Perth (North)

Joondalup Health Campus Private, Attadale Private, Mount Hospital (Perth CBD)

Perth (South)

Peel Health Campus, Murdoch Community Hospital (Bethesda), Hollywood Private (Nedlands)

Perth (East)

St John of God Midland, Cabrini Medical Centre Subiaco

Fremantle / South West

St John of God Fremantle Hospital, Bunbury Regional Hospital Private

Geraldton / Mid-West

St John of God Geraldton — limited options otherwise

Pilbara / Kimberley / Remote

Public system primary option — check emergency transport cover in your policy

Right Cover by Life Stage — WA

Under 30

Bronze hospital + basic extras

Locks in the 10% youth discount and avoids LHC loading. ~$70–$100/month after rebate†.

Couples planning a family

Gold hospital

Private obstetrics requires Gold cover with a 12-month waiting period. Start 15+ months before your planned due date.

FIFO / high-income workers

At minimum Bronze hospital

If your income exceeds $101k, any qualifying hospital cover eliminates the MLS. Bronze is the lowest-cost way to avoid it.

Seniors (65+)

Silver hospital + strong extras

Silver covers all realistic senior hospital needs at lower cost than Gold. Strong dental and optical extras are increasingly valuable with age.

†After government rebate (Base tier) and 10% youth discount. Premiums vary by fund, age, excess, and state. privatehealth.gov.au — Youth Discount.