Quote:
Originally Posted by shesus
Oh, and Spindles, feel free to check facts while posting. That is a benefit of this pub. You can research some things and then add it into your thoughts if you wish. I just don't want to have a read-aloud while drinking my ale.  |
Alright I checked. Originally when this was introduced it was 30% of cost, now it is 50% of cost, but capped at $7500. It is also means tested, so that if your family income is greater than $127,000 or thereabouts (with one child) you don't receive any rebate at all.
For more info:
Family Assistance Office | Can I get Child Care Benefit?
RE private health insurance - this is quite a big area in Oz as it does not
just relate to Hospital Treatment, but also other sizeable ticket items like:
- Dental Work
- Physiotherapy
- Ambulance
These things are NOT covered by Medicare at all (like the labs stuff mentioned above, it is *possible* in some circumstances to get these things done in hospital or the cost waived, but it not relevant at my income level).
Further, private health insurance is
also subsidised by the government. This is done with a carrot and stick. Firstly, if your income is greater than a certain amount and you don't have private insurance, you pay more "Medicare Levy" which pays for the public hospitals. Secondly, there is an age introduced scale. This means the earlier you started having private health insurance, the more it is subsidised by the government. This kicks in at age 30:
Department of Health and Ageing - Lifetime Health Cover