If you cancel your hospital insurance in order to go overseas, the days you spend outside of Australia aren't counted towards the 1094 days you are allowed to be without private health insurance, provided you stay overseas for at least one continuous year. You are able to return to Australia for periods of up to 90 consecutive days, per visit, and are still considered to be overseas.  

Suspension of Membership - for Overseas Travel 

Transport Health Fund rules allow for the suspension of membership if you are travelling overseas for an extended period provided certain criteria are met. 

• The minimum period of suspension is 30 Days. The maximum period of suspension is 12 months.
• Members on EXTRAs only cover CANNOT suspend their membership
• Continuous cover must have been held for 12 months before you are able to suspend your cover
• Your membership MUST be paid up until at least your day of departure or beyond. When your membership is paid in advance of your departure date, these funds will be credited to your membership upon resumption.
• For those members paying through PAYROLL, you will need to ensure that the membership is financial until your day of departure.
• Overseas suspension must be organised prior to your departure from Australia.
• Members MUST notify Transport Health of their return to Australia within 7 Days of arrival. A copy of written confirmation, flight ticket, boarding pass or passport confirming dates of departure from Australia and arrival back into Australia are required for reinstatement of membership
• Any waiting periods not served prior to departure will be applicable when the membership is reinstated.
• Further overseas suspensions are only permitted once the member has held continuous membership for a further 12 months following reinstatement 

Possible Tax Penalties: The Medicare

Medicare is the Australian Government's universal health insurance scheme, which covers all eligible citizens and residents for hospital treatment in

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 Levy Surcharge applies to singles and families on higher incomes who do not contribute to private Hospital cover

Hospital cover is a type of health insurance which covers a member for the cost of treatment in hospital, should they require it.The price of hospital

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Should you suspend your cover whilst overseas you may no longer be exempt for the Medicare

Medicare is the Australian Government's universal health insurance scheme, which covers all eligible citizens and residents for hospital treatment in

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 Levy Surcharge for the period of suspension. You should seek advice from your Tax Agent or the Australian Tax Office in relation to your personal circumstances. For further information about the Medicare

Medicare is the Australian Government's universal health insurance scheme, which covers all eligible citizens and residents for hospital treatment in

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 Levy Surcharge visit www.privatehealth.gov.au 

Please contact Transport Health on 1300 806 808 should you have any queries or complete and return the Suspension of Membership Form – Overseas Travel which can be found in the Download and Forms section of the website.

Save 30% on Travel Insurance

Transport Health members can save 30% on Travel insurance premiums when you apply online with QBE. Follow the link to QBE’s dedicated page for Transport Health members. 

QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited offers a range of policies for travel within Australia or internationally. As Australia's largest international general insurer and reinsurance group, QBE Travel Insurance offers you peace of mind to know that you and your family are protected when you travel.