A net medical expenses offset is available where you and your dependants have incurred out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of $1500. Eligible expenses include doctors’ fees, hospital accommodation and related charges, dental work, medicines, etc. Where procedures are of a cosmetic nature only, they will not be eligible expenses that can be included in a calculation of this offset. If the dental work you are having is for the correction of a problem then the cost incurred will be counted towards the out-of-pocket expenses for this offset.
You are a temporary resident and, if your income for surcharge purposes is over the relevant threshold amount, you will be liable to pay the Medicare levy surcharge. The policy that you have is not sufficient to provide you with an exemption from the levy.
You would be considered to be a non-resident for tax purposes because you have not settled in any one place and established a home during your stay in Australia. You may not get all your tax back when you lodge a tax return because you will be charged non-resident tax rates. This means that you have to pay tax on every dollar of your taxable income. You will not have to pay the Medicare levy though.
Since 1 July 2006 there has been a separate category for people who are temporarily living in Australia. A permanent resident is generally taxed on all income in and out of Australia but a temporary resident is exempt from paying tax on certain classes of income. People who exhibit the behaviour of a ‘resident’ and hold a temporary visa granted under the Migration Act of 1958 will be taxed at resident rates. Temporary residents may also be liable to pay the Medicare levy unless they are eligible to apply for an exemption.
Non-residents pay tax on Australian source income. They pay tax on every dollar of taxable income as declared on their tax return but do not pay Medicare. Residents have to declare all income earned in and out of Australia. A tax free threshold of $6000 is available to them and a resident may be entitled to claim some tax offsets (rebates) that are not available to non-residents. Depending on their income, a resident may also have to pay the Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge.
