Almost half (42%) of West Australians aged 18-541 say they would consider helping an older relative pay for their private health insurance if proposed Federal Government changes to the private health insurance rebate for older Australians goes ahead.
New HIF research2 found strong community concern about the proposed reforms, with two-thirds of West Australians believing the changes would be unfair for older generations and more than seven in ten saying they would place additional pressure on the public health system.
Key findings - 42% of West Australians aged 18-54 would consider helping an older relative pay for private health insurance if the changes proceed.
- 66% believe the proposed changes are unfair for older Australians.
- 71% believe the changes would place additional pressure on the public health system.
- 63% believe the changes would have negative long-term effects for multiple generations.
- 59% say the changes would negatively impact them or someone in their family.
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HIF CEO Greg Morris said the findings demonstrate that concerns about the proposed rebate changes extend well beyond older Australians.
"This research shows West Australians understand the consequences of these changes won't be confined to one generation. The fact that more than four in ten younger and middle-aged West Australians say they would consider helping a parent or grandparent pay for their private health insurance demonstrates how deeply these reforms could impact families and the importance people place on the health and wellbeing of their loved ones in later life,” said Mr Morris.
The survey of over 500 West Australians with private health insurance or intending to purchase cover within 12 months, found 66% believe the proposed changes are unfair for older Australians, while 71% believe they would have negative long-term impacts for multiple generations. More than two-thirds believe some people would be forced to cancel their cover, creating further pressure on the public health system.
Mr Morris said "This is ultimately a question of fairness. Australians who have contributed throughout their working lives and invested in private health cover deserve certainty and affordability when they need healthcare most. It’s simply bad policy to reduce affordability for older Australians when they are the people most likely to need hospital care and rely on their cover. Sustainability of the health system is not achieved by shifting costs onto older Australians or pushing demand from the private system into the public one”.
The research also found awareness of the proposed rebate changes remains relatively low, with only 21% of West Australians aged 18-54 aware of the proposals before participating in the survey. These findings highlight the importance of a broader public conversation before any changes are implemented.
“Concerned West Australians should contact their local MPs to voice their concerns or visit Private Health Australia to contribute to the ongoing Senate inquiry into the legislation,” concluded Morris.
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee is due to report back to Parliament in October with their findings.
1 West Australians aged 18-54 who currently hold a private health insurance policy or intend to take out a private health insurance policy in the next 12 months.
2 HIF Quarterly Research, conducted by CoreData, July 2026.
Research notes: HIF Quarterly Research. Conducted by CoreData, July 2026 by CoreData of 501 WA residents aged 18-74 who currently hold a private health insurance policy or intend to take out a private health insurance policy in the next 12 months.