Consultation on sunsetting PHI Rules - April and October 2027

Overview

Overview

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (department) is undertaking a review of private health insurance legislation in accordance with the Legislation Act 2003 to ensure it remains fit for purpose, is kept up to date and is in force so long as it is needed.

There are 6 instruments due to cease (sunset) in April 2027 that relate to Private Health Insurance. They are the:

• Private Health Insurance (Accreditation) Rules 2011
• Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2011
• Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015
• Private Health Insurance (Incentives) Rules 2012 (No. 2)
• Private Health Insurance (Lifetime Health Cover) Rules 2017
• Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules 2018

There is one instrument due to cease (sunset) in October 2027 that relates to Private Health Insurance. It is the:

• Private Health Insurance (Risk Equalisation Levy) Rules 2017

Why your views matter

The department seeks responses from interested stakeholders on:

• whether the instruments are fit for purpose and still required
• whether the proposed updates are appropriate

This consultation is limited to administrative amendments to the instruments for the purpose of remaking. Consideration of significant policy changes, including broader sector reform, is not part of this process.

How we will use your responses

The purpose of this consultation is to seek stakeholder responses on the department’s proposal to retain the instruments with minor administrative updates.

Your feedback will inform whether the instruments are remade and, if so, the minor updates to be made.

To support stakeholder engagement, the department intends to publish responses. Respondents are asked to clearly identify specific elements of the response which are considered confidential and not for publication, as well as the reasons the specific elements are considered confidential. Confidential feedback may still be subject to access under freedom of information laws.The freedom of information process includes consultation with a respondent prior to a decision about the release of information.

How to respond

Please submit your response via email to PHIconsultation@health.gov.au. Submissions are due by 19 June 2026.