Medicare Levy Surcharge Calculator 2026–27
The Medicare levy surcharge you would pay in 2026–27 without private hospital cover, for singles and families, by income tier.
Result
Medicare levy surcharge for the year: A$1,170.00Estimate
Appropriate private hospital cover for you and your dependants avoids the surcharge for the days it is held.
- Surcharge rate
- 1%
- A month, to compare with a hospital policy
- A$97.50Estimate
https://calcgallery.com/income-tax/medicare-levy-surcharge-calculator/
An estimate from the published rates for the tax year shown, for the situation described on this page. It is not a tax return or tax advice. Rules change with each budget, and your own circumstances can change the answer. Check it against your payslip and the tax authority’s own calculator, and confirm anything that matters with a qualified tax adviser. Read the full disclaimer
How to use the Medicare Levy Surcharge Calculator 2026–27
- Enter your income for Medicare levy surcharge purposes.
- Say whether you are single or part of a family or couple, and how many dependent children you have.
- Read the surcharge you would pay without private hospital cover.
The calculation
income for MLS = taxable income + reportable fringe benefits + net investment losses + reportable super contributionssurcharge = rate for your tier × income for MLSComparing the monthly surcharge with the cost of a basic hospital policy shows whether cover pays for itself.
With your numbers
- The surcharge rate applies to your whole income for MLS purposes, not just the part above the threshold
Quick reference
Appropriate private hospital cover for you and your dependants avoids the surcharge for the days it is held.
| Example | Medicare levy surcharge for the year |
|---|---|
| Single, $117,000 | A$1,170.00 |
| Single, $100,000 | A$0.00 |
| Single, $140,000 | A$1,750.00 |
| Single, $200,000 | A$3,000.00 |
| Family, $230,000, three children | A$2,300.00 |
| Family, $350,000 | A$5,250.00 |
Where the numbers come from
The fixed figures this calculator relies on, and the published source each one was checked against. How the calculators are built and checked
2 sources
ATO, Medicare levy surcharge income thresholds and rates, https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/medicare-levy-surcharge/medicare-levy-surcharge-income-thresholds-and-rates
Used for
- MLS threshold (single base): income above this moves up a tier.
- MLS threshold (single tier2): income above this moves up a tier.
- MLS threshold (single tier3): income above this moves up a tier.
- MLS threshold (family base): income above this moves up a tier.
- MLS threshold (family tier2): income above this moves up a tier.
- MLS threshold (family tier3): income above this moves up a tier.
- Medicare levy surcharge rate for the tier.
ATO, Medicare levy surcharge income thresholds and rates, https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/medicare-levy-surcharge/medicare-levy-surcharge-income-thresholds-and-rates: "increased by $1,500 for each MLS dependent child after the first child"
Used for
- MLS family threshold increase for each dependent child after the first.
Common questions about the Medicare Levy Surcharge Calculator 2026–27
- What is the Medicare levy surcharge?
- An extra charge of 1% to 1.5% of income for people on higher incomes who don't hold appropriate private hospital cover. It is separate from the 2% Medicare levy most people pay.
- What are the 2026–27 thresholds?
- For singles: no surcharge up to $105,000, 1% to $123,000, 1.25% to $164,000 and 1.5% above. For families: $210,000, $246,000 and $328,000, rising by $1,500 for each dependent child after the first.
- Is the surcharge only on income above the threshold?
- No. Once you are in a tier, the rate applies to your whole income for surcharge purposes. That is why someone just over $105,000 pays more than $1,000.
- How do I avoid it?
- Hold an appropriate private hospital policy for yourself and your dependants. The surcharge is charged only for the days you aren't covered. Extras-only cover doesn't count.