For 2026 the Original Medicare Safety Net threshold is $594.40 of gap costs and the Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold is $2,699.10 of out-of-pocket costs, or $861.20 for concession card holders and families getting Family Tax Benefit Part A.
Key facts
- Original Medicare Safety Net 2026: $594.40 of gap amounts, then 100% of the schedule fee for out-of-hospital services.
- Extended Medicare Safety Net 2026: $2,699.10 of out-of-pocket costs (general), then 80% of out-of-pocket costs back, up to benefit caps.
- Concession card holders and FTB Part A families: Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold of $861.20.
- Thresholds are for the calendar year and reset every 1 January. Only paid (verified) costs count.
- Families and couples should register as a Medicare Safety Net family so their costs count together.
2026 thresholds
Medicare Safety Net thresholds for the 2026 calendar year
| Safety net | Threshold | Who it's for | What you get back |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare Safety Net | $594.40 | Everyone in Medicare | 100% of the schedule fee for out-of-hospital services |
| Extended Medicare Safety Net, general | $2,699.10 | Everyone in Medicare | 80% of out-of-pocket costs, up to benefit caps |
| Extended Medicare Safety Net, concessional and FTB Part A | $861.20 | Concession card holders and families getting FTB Part A | 80% of out-of-pocket costs, up to benefit caps |
The Original safety net counts the gap between the schedule fee and the Medicare benefit; the Extended safety net counts your full out-of-pocket cost. Only verified payments count, meaning you paid the fee before claiming.
See also: Pensioner Concession Card.
See also: Family Tax Benefit.
Common questions
What is the Medicare Safety Net threshold for 2026?
$594.40 for the Original Medicare Safety Net, and $2,699.10 for the Extended Medicare Safety Net, or $861.20 for concession card holders and families getting Family Tax Benefit Part A.
Do I need to register for the Medicare Safety Net?
Singles are registered automatically. Couples and families need to register as a Medicare Safety Net family so their costs are added together.
When do the thresholds reset?
Every 1 January. Costs from the previous calendar year don't carry over.
Other payments: JobSeeker · Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Carer Payment · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Concession cards · Pensioner Concession Card · Carer Allowance · Advance payment · Crisis Payment · Deeming rates · Newborn payments · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, What are the Medicare Safety Nets thresholds, How Medicare Safety Nets and thresholds work (pages last updated 1 January 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.