Funding guidance made clearer
Find your hearing care funding pathway.
Private health, government programs, DVA and Medicare all work differently. We help you understand which pathway may be relevant and what to confirm before proceeding.
General guidance · Eligibility varies · Confirm before proceeding
Last checked: 5 July 2026
Which funding option may be relevant to you?
Choose the option that best matches your circumstances. This is general guidance only — eligibility must be confirmed with the relevant provider.
01 Private health insurance If you have Extras cover Your policy may include benefits for hearing aids or selected audiology services. View detailsClose
May apply if
- You hold an Extras policy that includes hearing benefits.
- You have not exhausted the relevant limit or claiming period.
What it may help with
- Hearing aids
- Selected audiology appointments
- Repairs or related services, depending on the policy
What to do next
- Ask whether your exact Extras policy includes hearing benefits.
- Confirm your current limit, waiting period and claiming frequency.
- Request a written benefit estimate before purchasing.
Benefits are determined by your fund and policy. Two members of the same fund may receive different benefits.
View current private health benefit examples
| Health fund / cover example | Hearing aid benefit example | Waiting period / frequency notes |
|---|---|---|
| ahm Super Extras | Up to $1,600 per person | 12-month waiting period; benefit applies every 3 financial years |
| ahm Family Extras | Up to $1,200 per person | 12-month waiting period; benefit applies every 3 financial years |
| Australian Unity Prime Extras | 80% back up to $1,500 per person | 12-month waiting period |
| Bupa Top Extras Boost | Up to $1,200 per person | 12-month waiting period; recognised provider and policy rules apply |
| HCF Top Extras | Up to $1,800 | Depends on loyalty and cover; 12-month waiting period; hearing aid benefits generally renew every 3 years |
| HCF Multicover Extras | Up to $1,600 | Check current product summary and eligibility |
| Medibank Top Extras | $400 / $800 / $1,200 | Depending on cover level; 36-month waiting period listed in current public product information |
| nib Top Extras | 75% of charge up to $1,200 per person | 36-month waiting period; two appliances every 5 years |
| Teachers Health Top Extras | $1,200–$1,800 per pair | $1,200 in years 1–5; $1,800 after 5+ years; 12-month waiting period; one pair every 3 calendar years |
The examples above are based on publicly available product information and are provided as a general guide only. They are not a guarantee of your personal rebate.
Last checked: 5 July 2026
02 Hearing Services Program If you hold an eligible concession or government card The Australian Government program may subsidise assessments, devices and ongoing hearing support for eligible clients. View detailsClose
May apply if
- You meet one of the program's approved eligibility categories.
- This may include eligible Pensioner Concession Card holders and some eligible DVA or other government-program clients.
What it may help with
- Hearing assessment
- Fully or partially subsidised devices where clinically appropriate
- Fitting, follow-up and eligible maintenance support
What to do next
- Check your eligibility through the official program.
- Bring the relevant Medicare, concession or DVA cards.
- Confirm whether any device gap or maintenance contribution applies.
A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card alone does not automatically establish Hearing Services Program eligibility.
View current HSP schedule examples
| Schedule item (2026–27) | Amount |
|---|---|
| First assessment | $164.90 |
| Reassessment | $164.90 |
| Initial fitting with maintenance — one hearing aid | $527.35 |
| Initial fitting with maintenance — two hearing aids | $660.55 |
| Maintenance & battery supply — one hearing aid | $118.25 |
| Maintenance & battery supply — two hearing aids | $236.45 |
| Client maintenance co-payment | $55.55 |
| Client replacement co-payment | $48.35 |
These are program schedule and provider payment amounts — not cash rebates paid directly to clients. Your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your eligibility, device choice and clinical needs.
Last checked: 5 July 2026
03 DVA If you hold a Veteran Gold Card or eligible White Card DVA may support hearing services and devices, sometimes with prior approval. View detailsClose
May apply if
- You hold a Veteran Gold Card.
- You hold a White Card where hearing loss or tinnitus is an accepted condition.
What it may help with
- Hearing assessments
- Hearing devices or assistive listening devices
- Eligible repairs, parts or replacement services
What to do next
- Confirm your eligibility and whether approval is required.
- Bring your DVA card and relevant correspondence.
- Do not privately purchase hearing devices before required approval.
DVA advises clients not to privately purchase hearing devices before approval, as DVA may not reimburse devices that have already been purchased.
04 Medicare If you have an eligible GP or specialist referral Medicare may apply to selected audiology services, but generally not hearing aid purchases. View detailsClose
Diagnostic audiology
May apply to selected audiology services performed following an eligible written medical referral.
Chronic condition management
May apply to eligible audiology services included in an appropriate GP care plan.
What to do next
- Confirm that the referral or care plan is valid before the appointment.
- Bring the referral and Medicare card.
- Confirm the relevant item requirements.
Medicare generally does not cover privately purchased hearing aids.
View current Medicare item examples
| Medicare item | Description | Current benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 82306 | Non-determinate audiometry | $17.85 |
| 82309 | Air conduction audiogram | $21.40 |
| 82312 | Air and bone conduction audiogram, or air conduction and speech discrimination audiometry | $30.30 |
| 82315 | Air and bone conduction audiogram with speech discrimination audiometry | $40.05 |
| 82318 | Air and bone conduction audiogram with speech discrimination and additional cochlear tests | $49.45 |
| 82324 | Impedance audiogram, including tympanometry and/or acoustic reflex testing | $16.30 |
| 10952 | Audiology service under an eligible GP chronic condition management plan | $63.40 |
Medicare item eligibility depends on the referral, clinical indication and item requirements. Rebates usually require the correct referral before the appointment, and private health generally cannot top up the Medicare benefit for the same service.
Last checked: 5 July 2026
What to bring, depending on your pathway
You only need the documents relevant to your own circumstances — not all of them.
Identity and health cards
- Medicare card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold or White Card
Private health details
- Membership card or fund details
- Level of Extras cover, if known
Referral or care-plan documents
- GP or ENT referral
- Chronic condition management plan paperwork
Hearing history
- Any previous hearing test results
- Details of your current hearing aids, if any
Two common questions
Can private health and government funding be used together?
This depends on your personal eligibility, your health fund rules and the type of government support involved. Some health funds may calculate benefits differently if a government subsidy has already been applied. Please confirm directly with your health fund before proceeding.
Can Wang To Hear confirm my eligibility?
No. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by your health fund, Medicare, DVA or the Australian Government Hearing Services Program — not by the clinic. We can explain the common pathways, tell you what to ask, and provide itemised invoices and written quotes so you can check your expected benefit before proceeding.
Not sure which pathway applies?
Bring the relevant cards or referral documents to your appointment. We can explain the common options and tell you what to confirm with the relevant provider.