Last year, the government proposed to allow health funds to let dependants stay on family memberships until they turn 31, and to remove the age limit for dependants with a disability.

Currently, dependants can only stay on a family membership until they turn 25 (subject to eligibility).

While the reform was initially slated to apply from 1 April 2021, the Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Age of Dependants) Bill 2021 still has a bit to go before the passage of legislation has been enacted, and health funds can make any changes. Legislation was passed by the Parliament on 22 June 2021 and received Royal Assent from the Governor-General on 29 June 2021. An Exposure Draft of the Rules has been prepared and is subject to a consultation period with insurers.

We appreciate that members who stand to benefit from this reform are keen for the government, and then UniHealth, to get on with it!

However, health funds are waiting until the legislation has been enacted and we have information about the rules.

When this happens, we’ll get to work. We won’t bore you with all the details, but this includes:

• making (and then testing) widespread changes to our systems
• updating our Fund Rules
• updating our websites / brochures / reference material
• staff training
• member communication.

While we’re unable to provide a timeline for the above steps, rest assured we’ll do our part as soon as we can. Thanks in advance for your patience.

We’ll update this page when there’s further info to share.