Senate Committee submission on changes to PHI for 65+ Australians

THIS retrograde legislation would remove a substantial share of Commonwealth premium support from more than 3 million older Australians aged 65+, including many people with high and often complex health needs and limited financial flexibility.

The case for the Bill rests on flawed assumptions that these Australians will keep paying for cover despite the higher cost.

But the supporting analysis was prepared without consultation, relies heavily on one outdated academic article for its central behavioural claim, gives very limited attention to private hospitals, excludes those downgrading their insurance from its estimates at all, and uses an evaluation measure that does not capture the main harms of the Bill.

For these reasons, APHA urges the Committee to recommend that the Bill not be passed.

See the APHA's full submission at Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026.

Previous Submissions:
19/8/2026 Private Health Sector Reforms: Consultation 1