Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading is a rule designed to encourage Australians to take out private hospital cover earlier in life. If you wait until after your 31st birthday to get cover, you’ll pay extra on your premium. Konkrd breaks it down so you know what LHC is, how it works, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
LHC loading is a government initiative that adds a percentage to your hospital cover premium if you delay joining after the age of 30. The loading increases your costs each year you wait, up to a maximum of 70%.
Here’s the simple version:
| Age when you first take hospital cover | Loading applied |
|---|---|
| 30 or younger | 0% (no loading) |
| 31 | 2% |
| 35 | 10% |
| 40 | 20% |
| 45 | 30% |
| 50 | 40% |
| 55 | 50% |
| 60 | 60% |
| 65 and above | 70% (max) |
How to Avoid LHC Loading
You can avoid or reduce loading if you:
The good news: LHC loading doesn’t last forever.
You may not have to pay loading if you:
LHC loading can make health cover much more expensive if you delay. For example, waiting until 50 could mean paying 40% more on your hospital premiums every year for a decade. Knowing how it works can save you thousands over your lifetime.
Konkrd compares hospital cover policies side by side so you can:
See which policies help you avoid the MLS and LHC loading
Understand the real cost of delaying cover
Choose a plan that makes sense now and in the future
With Konkrd you can:
