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Posted: 2022-06-21 05:00:00

Similarly, if you earned more than $90,000 ($180,000 for a family) this year, you will cop an extra “Medicare Levy Surcharge” on a sliding scale up to 1.5 per cent of your income, if you don’t have a hospital policy by June 30.

Because of this, June is often when health funds offer their most generous deals to sign up. It is not unusual to get up to six weeks’ of free premiums, or hundreds of dollars in cash backs. Most of these offers expire June 30.

For customers of some health funds, July 1 is when your extras limits “re-set.” If you have not used up all your limits this financial year, use them now or lose them. Book that dentist, optometrist, or maybe a little remedial massage this week.

Some government voucher schemes created during the COVID-19 pandemic are also coming to an end.

In New South Wales, the Dine and Discover scheme ends next week, so use up those $150 of freebies while you can. The Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program, which refunds the cost of 25 per cent of eligible experiences, remains open for now, with no advertised end date.

Free flu vaccinations also end in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia June 30.

On the energy front, Victoria’s home battery rebate will drop by $500 on June 30, as it does each year.

July 1 is the date when electricity prices traditionally rise in most states. This year, we have already seen some huge price increases from smaller retailers, as the energy market crisis threatens to drive them out of business.

Larger retailers appear to be lifting their prices in the 10-20 per cent range.

The main advantage of switching energy providers before June 30 is choice.

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The options for selecting a new power provider are reducing by the day, with about half of retailers not accepting new customers. More may “shut up shop” once they hit a certain number of customers that their electricity “hedging” costs allow. Fixed-rate electricity plans have all but disappeared.

Just make sure you are comparing “apples with apples” if you are shopping around for a new energy deal before July 1. Some retailers have already lifted their prices, while others are yet to do so.

  • Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.

Joel Gibson is the author of Kill Bills. Catch his money saving segments on Nine Radio, TODAY and on Twitter @joelgibson.

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