They’ve learned to apply their own Band-Aids, and they know a bag of peas in the freezer is used for rolled ankles more often than fried rice. They may no longer be kids – but you can still look after them.
Add or maintain your Adult Dependant on eligible Medibank Family or Single Parents cover for peace of mind.1
Is my child an eligible dependant?
Eligible dependants can be included on most of our Family and Single Parents covers. Eligible dependants include:1
Child Dependant
A Child Dependant can be included on their parent or guardian’s family or single parent health insurance until they turn 21, provided they are not married or in a de facto relationship.
Student Dependant
A Student Dependant can remain on or be added to their parent or guardian’s family or single parent health insurance if they are not married or in a de facto relationship, aged between 21 and 30 (inclusive) and studying a course that is:
- in Australia
- approved for Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY
- a full time workload. Reduced loads may still qualify if formally recommended by the institution for academic or vocational reasons, or if the student has a substantial disability allowing a workload as low as 25% with medical evidence.
The best news? There's no additional premium for including Student Dependants on your policy, if you already have a family or single parent policy.
If your adult child is undertaking an apprenticeship, they may be eligible as a Student Dependent. Their coursework component must meet the same criteria as above.
If you’re unsure whether your child’s studies are considered a full time workload, or is an approved course to qualify for a Centrelink study payment, refer to their course guide and Centrelink for guidance, and chat to us to ensure acceptance.
Adult Dependant
Adult Dependants are between 21 and 30 (inclusive), aren’t studying full time and are not married or in a de facto relationship. They may remain on or be added to an eligible¹ family or single parent cover, although please be aware that this will increase the price of the policy.
How does cover for eligible dependants work?
You’ve established your big kid is an eligible dependant and you have eligible cover – now what?
Ready to choose the right cover for you?
It's important to choose a policy that aligns with your health needs now and in the future. If your current policy doesn't seem right for you, consider upgrading or switching—just keep waiting periods in mind.
Considering their own cover?
Being on your policy isn’t the only way for your adult child to save on private health insurance. For some young adults, it’s worth thinking about taking out their own cover earlier.
Young Adult Discount
If they’re between 18 and 29 years of age, they could be eligible for the Young Adult Discount. When they take out their own eligible cover and continuously maintain it, your child could receive a discount on hospital cover of up to 10%, depending on their age when they take out cover. The discount is ongoing, which means if they maintain eligible hospital cover, their discount will remain until they turn 41. From then the discount will be reduced by 2% per year until it reaches zero.
They won’t be eligible to receive the discount if they are a dependent on your policy.
Avoiding Lifetime Health Cover Loading
From the age of 31, young adults may have a 2% loading added to their hospital cover premium for every year over 31 they are without hospital cover, up to a maximum loading of 70%. They can avoid LHC loading by taking out hospital cover by 1 July after their 31st birthday and maintaining it.
Avoiding the Medicare Levy Surcharge
If your adult child is single and earning over the threshold of $101,000#, they may be liable to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time if they don’t hold an appropriate level of hospital cover. It starts at 1% and increases (up to 1.5%) with income growth.
They will need to hold their own cover to be exempt from paying the surcharge, rather than being a dependent on your policy.
More information for parents of young adults
How to choose the best health insurance for a family
Looking for the best health insurance for your family? Explore cover options, benefits, and tips to find the right health plan for your loved ones.
6 ways to get the best value from your health insurance
How to save money while still being covered for the things you need.
Do they need health insurance if they’re young and healthy?
Explore the benefits of private health insurance designed for young people and why it might be worth considering for your child’s future.
Want to discuss your options?
Leave your details and a Medibank expert will be in touch to take you through your options. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.
Things you should know
¹ Adult Dependants may only remain on or be added to select family and single parent covers. If you are not on an eligible family cover, you will need to change to one that is. Adult Dependants cannot be added to OSHC or Visitors cover.
# Income for Medicare Levy Surcharge purposes