Show Notes
Is private health insurance actually worth it in Australia? Ben McEachen and Pete Burrows dig into one of the most common financial headaches Aussies face — weighing up the cost of private cover against what Medicare already provides. They break down the Medicare levy surcharge, what private policies often leave out, and how to figure out if going private makes financial sense for your stage of life. If you've ever stared at a health insurance renewal and wondered whether to cancel, this conversation is for you. Key Takeaways: Private health insurance offers peace of mind but comes with additional costs, which may or may not be justified by the services it provides. Medicare levy surcharge incentivises certain earners to opt for private health coverage by imposing additional tax if they don't. Exclusions on private health policies have significantly increased from 3-4% in 2000 to approximately 65% today, affecting the value of coverage. The decision to choose private health insurance should consider personal financial circumstances, potential future medical needs, and individual comfort levels with risk. Economic practicalities often make self-insurance challenging, particularly with rising health costs linked to an aging population. Notable Quotes: "Do I want that for the peace of mind that it'll bring me?" "It's going to take a piece of your wallet." "On a purely economic level, it's very hard to make private health insurance stack up." "The government puts an extra fee or a loading on you by joining a health fund later in life." "If you choose to be in a fund, you need to understand what it's going to cost you." Resources: ABC News Article on Private Health Insurance The Australia Institute article Ethical Fashion Guide Got a question, comment or personal story to share? Send it through at hopepodcasts.com.au. Ben and Pete will get stuck into it on a future episode. Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with Lower Russell and Farr in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia.
Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings on Hope 103.2FM in Sydney, Australia. Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Money: Faith & Finance
Should small business owners just suck it up when tax changes hit? After listener feedback, Ben McEachen from Hope Mornings and accountant Pete Burrows from Lower Russell and Farr take a fresh look at what working for yourself really costs. Pete shares the tight early years, the unpaid admin nobody sees, and how uncertainty taught him to lean on his faith. You’ll learn how to test a business idea against your current wage, when it’s time to walk away, and why no small business owner should go it alone. Key Takeaways: Absorbing Change Without Support: Small business owners often have to absorb tax and policy changes they didn’t ask for, usually without any help to adapt. Benchmark Against Your Wage: A business idea is worth testing against the salary, leave and entitlements it would replace, not just against whether it sounds good. The Hidden Workload: Much of running a small business is unpaid work done behind the scenes, from BAS and bookkeeping to paying staff properly. Know Your Exit Before You Start: A time frame or dollar target for getting out helps owners avoid throwing good money after bad as industries change. Small Business Can Be Lonely: Mentors, networking groups and contemporaries matter, because owners carry pressures that people on wages rarely see. Faith in the Lean Seasons: The uncertainty of self-employment can push owners to lean on faith and trust when the bills are due and the money isn’t in yet. Notable Quotes: “You need to know your way out of a room when you walk into it.” — Pete Burrows “It does make you lean a bit on your faith and just trust in the sense that, you know, I don’t know how I’m gonna pay the bills this month.” — Pete Burrows “The benchmark should be what your job is now.” — Pete Burrows “You as a small business operator, more than me as an employee, might actually be more painfully, sometimes joyfully aware that you’re not in control as much as you’d like to be.” — Ben McEachen “Just like in life, you’d probably need more friends than you think you need in business.” — Pete Burrows Got a question, comment or personal story to share? Send it through at hopepodcasts.com.au. Ben and Pete will get stuck into it on a future episode. Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with Lower Russell and Farr in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia.
Is taking out insurance a sin, or just wise? Hope Mornings host Ben McEachen and accountant Pete Burrows tackle the questions they couldn’t get to on their recent livestream. Is retirement Biblical? What should someone renting do with a $150,000 inheritance a year out from retirement? Should a Sydneysider buy regional now or wait? Plus, join Ben and Pete live on Thursday 3 December for a Christmas special. You’ll hear why housing comes before investing, and why a windfall shouldn’t be spent on day one.
Should Christians sell everything and give it all away? Ben McEachen and accountant Pete Burrows dig into Acts chapter 2, where the early church shared everything, and admit how tempting it is to wiggle out of it. They weigh it against Paul's blunt call to work, and Ben opens up about the generosity fund in his own family budget. You'll hear why generosity takes practice, why your skills and time count too, and the small first step anyone can take. Key Takeaways: Different Times, Same Challenge: Acts 2 describes a very different world, but its challenge to hold our possessions loosely still applies today. Work Fuels Generosity: Nothing in the passage suggests the early believers gave everything away and stopped working, and 2 Thessalonians makes work part of the picture. Hold Your Stuff Lightly: A house, super or a job can feel like security, but any of them could go. Give More Than Money: Hospitality, practical skills and time are gifts too, and they're meant to be shared. Generosity Takes Practice: The world pushes us towards holding on, so giving freely has to be learned on purpose. Start Small, Heart First: Generosity begins with attitude rather than amount, so start with something you can do now. Notable Quotes: "If you're not sharing the gift, is it really a gift?" — Pete Burrows "I'm not trying to wiggle out of it, but I really sound like I am." — Ben McEachen "We're looking for all these external things to give us security when in fact they could all go." — Pete Burrows "Is there still money in that generosity fund? Because I don't think I've actually been that generous." — Ben McEachen "It's not necessarily what's in your wallet, but it's what's in your heart." — Pete Burrows Got a question, comment or personal story to share? Send it through at hopepodcasts.com.au. Ben and Pete will get stuck into it on a future episode. Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with Lower Russell and Farr in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia.
Do you still need an accountant now that AI can answer almost anything? Ben McEachen puts that question to Pete Burrows, an accountant with Lower Russell Farr in Penrith. Pete's quick answer: AI is okay, but sometimes you need actual intelligence. He shares when a simple tax return is fine to do yourself, the red flags of a dodgy accountant, and why a phone call before a big purchase beats fixing a costly mistake. Plus, a client who went all in on crypto, and a super tip many couples miss.
Card surcharges disappear on 1 October 2026. Tap for a $100 purchase, pay $100. Simple enough, until you ask the question accountant Pete Burrows keeps coming back to: the business still has to pay to process that card, so who ends up wearing the cost? Ben McEachen and Pete sort out what's actually changing on eftpos, Mastercard and Visa, what isn't, and what to watch for at the till. Key Takeaways: From October 1st, Australia will implement a ban on surcharges for payments made with Eftpos, MasterCard, and Visa cards. The policy aims to enhance price transparency, allowing consumers to see the full cost of their purchases at the point of sale without additional surcharges. Businesses must decide how to handle transaction costs moving forward, possibly through pricing adjustments. Surcharges for services like Amex, UnionPay, and PayPal will also be removed, expanding the global shift toward reduced transaction costs. The episode highlights the need for consumers and businesses to stay informed about these regulatory changes and their broader financial impact. Notable Quotes: "Technically, that fee is meant to go towards helping the business, but the reality is that business still has costs." - Pete Burrows "They’re trying to say, look, it's transparency. When you go and pay for something, that’s the full price." - Ben McEachen "Depending on the size of the business too, they may have different costs." - Pete Burrows "Most people are using plastic. Really, the question is why should that cost me more every time?" - Pete Burrows "Amex has traditionally been one of the higher cost cards…that’s a big win." - Ben McEachen Resources The RBA's weblink on removal of credit card surcharges here: RBA https://www.cardsurcharge.com.au/ Got a question, comment or personal story to share? Send it through at hopepodcasts.com.au. Ben and Pete will get stuck into it on a future episode. Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with Lower Russell and Farr in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia.