Medicare Levy Exemption for Filipino Passport Holders
The Philippines has no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. Filipino temporary visa holders are not eligible for Medicare benefits and are legally entitled to a 100% Medicare Levy Exemption.
Contextual tax, banking, and overseas remittance offers
Gross Annual Salary (AUD)
Base salary before tax & superannuation
Visa Subclass & Nationality
Determines tax residency brackets and Medicare eligibility
100% Medicare Levy Exemption (MES): As a non-citizen from a non-RHCA country, you can obtain a Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) from Services Australia and pay 0% Medicare Levy.
Additional Residency & Insurance Toggles
Applying for PR with work rights gives you interim Medicare access, removing the MES exemption.
Avoids 1.0% – 1.5% Medicare Levy Surcharge for taxable incomes above $101,000.
Take-Home Income
You save $2,300/yr ($192/mo) under Category 1 MES.
Paid in addition to gross salary
Total pkg: $128,800
Citizen vs. Visa Holder Comparison
$86,262
Includes 2% Medicare$89,712
0% Medicare (MES)Extra take-home pay due to 100% Medicare Levy Exemption
/ year
Compare Approved OVHC Health Cover
Maintain mandatory health insurance for Work Visa (482/485) while claiming 100% Medicare Levy Exemption.
- Instant Department of Home Affairs letter
- No waiting period on emergency dental
- 24/7 multilingual health advice line
- 100% compliant with visa condition 8501
- Direct billing at 1,000+ medical clinics
- Telehealth included at $0 co-pay
- Simple digital claims via nib app
- Unlimited emergency ambulance
- Customizable extras & dental
⚡ Instant digital visa certificate sent to your email in under 3 minutes.
Get Quote with Bupa AustraliaHow to Claim 100% Medicare Levy Exemption (MES)
Official step-by-step Services Australia checklist
Obtain a certified copy of your passport photo page, current Australian visa grant notice (or VEVO check), and proof of arrival.
Apply online using your Services Australia / Medicare online account through myGov, or complete Medicare Entitlement Statement (MS015).
Once approved (usually 4-6 weeks), enter your MES certificate number under ATO tax return question M2 (Medicare Levy Exemption: 365 days).
Contextual tax, banking, and overseas remittance offers
Australian Tax & Medicare Rules for Philippines Nationals
Official ATO & Services Australia MES framework
Tax Residency & Stage 3 Tax Rates
Temporary visa holders from Philippines residing in Australia for work or study are generally assessed as Australian Residents for Tax Purposes. This grants you the $18,200 tax-free threshold and lower marginal rates under the Stage 3 Tax Cuts.
Medicare Entitlement Statement (MES) Steps
Philippines does not have an RHCA treaty with Australia. As a temporary resident maintaining private OVHC/OSHC health cover, you can apply for an MES from Services Australia to claim a 100% exemption on Question M2 of your ATO tax return.
Medicare Exemption FAQs for Philippines Citizens
Q:Can Filipinos on 482 or 500 visas claim the Medicare exemption?
Yes, you are eligible for Category 1 MES exemption. Ensure you keep your Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) active.