Home Loans
Personal Loans
Car Loans
Business Loans
Credit Cards
Banking
Health Insurance
Home Loans
Personal Loans
Car Loans
Business Loans
Credit Cards
Banking
Health Insurance
Get a better Health Insurance deal & save money with the help of our experts.
Compare policies in under 2 minutes, for free
Get expert help choosing the best cover
Sit back & save money (we’ll even do the paperwork)
Our dedicated Health Insurance experts are here to help. Updated 2 Feb 2026.
6 weeks free
On eligible Extras-only cover
Join ahm through Money.com.au on an eligible Extras policy and get 6 weeks free after maintaining continuous cover for 60 days. New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.#
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Offer available through Money.com.au when you join on an eligible Hospital and Extras policy. In most cases, the 6 weeks free is applied 28 days after you join. New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. You need to maintain cover until 29 April 2026 to receive the 6 weeks free. Offer ends 28 February 2026. T&Cs apply.†
8 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Join Australian Unity through Money.com.au on eligible products and get 8 weeks free (6 weeks free in year 1, plus 2 weeks free in year 2). New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.§
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Offer is only available to a person who purchases an eligible product and opts to pay by direct debit for fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, or six-monthly. Offer ends 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply.^
Skip 2 & 6 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.\
Skip 2 & 6 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.`
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
The best private health insurance policy will be different depending on who the policy is for and what they value in their cover. But to give you an idea of how various providers compare, we’ve rounded up the top health funds in Australia based on a selection of factors that matter to consumers.
| Health fund | Member retention (hospital cover) |
|---|---|
Onemedifund | 93.4% |
ACA Health Benefits Fund | 92.7% |
Defence Health | 92.0% |
Teachers Health | 91.9% |
CBHS Corporate | 91.4% |
| Health fund | Benefits as % of contributions |
|---|---|
Police Health | 93.9% |
Teachers Health | 89.0% |
HCF | 89.0% |
AIA Health | 88.0% |
CBHS Corporate | 87.1% |
| Health fund | Customer rating |
|---|---|
Phoenix Health Fund | 4.9 (430 reviews) |
Queensland Country Health Fund | 4.9 (465 reviews) |
RT Health | 4.9 (1,391 reviews) |
AIA Health Insurance | 4.7 (1,274 reviews) |
Westfund Health Insurance | 4.5 (425 reviews) |
| Health fund | Incentive |
|---|---|
HBF | Up to 14 weeks |
Medibank | Up to 10 weeks free |
Health Partners | 8 weeks free |
Australian Unity | Up to 8 weeks free |
ahm | 6 weeks free |
With a few simple details, we give you personalised quotes from 20+ health funds. It means you can compare with confidence, choose smarter and save time and money.
Comparing Health Insurance can be overwhelming. When things get tricky, our experts are on hand to listen and give straight answers to help match you with the right cover.
We won’t just help you find the right Health Insurance for you needs. We'll take care of all the admin and paperwork to make switching or setting up your new policy a breeze.
Thousands of Aussies trust us to compare financial products every day. Why? Because WE GIVE A BUCK about getting them better deals the right way. It shows in our score of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
Michael from Brisbane
"I needed to find a good but cost effective cover for an upcoming procedure but I had no idea where to start. I spoke to Cameron at Money.com.au who was sensational and an absolute life saver. He helped me not only quickly and easily find the right cover but he also helped me keep it well within budget. I had tried multiple methods, going it alone proved too difficult and other health insurance comparators took me through a long winded process that left me feeling more overwhelmed and confused. I managed to get everything I needed in my cover for only $20/week, it was outstanding considering I was quoted over $60/week from other places."
Michael from Brisbane
Step 1
It's just a few simple questions about yourself and the cover you want.
Step 2
We’ll show you options from leading providers that match your needs.
Step 3
We’ll do the leg work to help you easily move to a better deal.
Compare private health insurers in Australia, based on factors that matter to customers. The comparison is based on the latest Commonwealth Ombudsman State of the Health Funds Report, and shows open funds only (available to anyone). The providers are sorted by the highest member retention rate. To get personalised quotes from our insurer panel, hit ‘Compare now’ below and we’ll do the work for you (note, some providers shown are not on our panel). Or if you’d prefer to brave it yourself, we provide a link to the provider. Before applying for cover, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and other policy documents to understand whether it's right for you.
onemedifund | Member retention (hospital cover) 93.4% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 74.9% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit No new waiting periods to serve when you join on the same or a lower level of cover Money's takeOne of Australia’s smallest providers, onemedifund is an open health fund that has agreements with over 540 private hospitals and day surgeries, as well as 37,000 doctors. onemedifund offers Hospital ...  Pros
 Cons
 Additional information
|
Mildura Health Fund | Member retention (hospital cover) 90.7% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 83.4% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit $50 gift card for referring a friend or family member Money's takeFounded in 1929, Mildura Health Fund (MHF) is a not-for-profit regional provider with three physical locations in Mildura, Swan Hill and Broken Hill. The fund has over 445 agreements with private hosp... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Health Partners | Member retention (hospital cover) 89.9% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 84.3% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Discounts on health and wellbeing, fitness, food, experiences and more Money's takeBased in South Australia but servicing all of Australia, Health Partners is a not-for-profit health insurance provider. It is one of the industry leaders across most metrics, with its 89.9% member ret... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
HBF Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 88.9% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 83.6% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Offers rewards, discounts and health programs for eligible members Sub-brands see-u by HBF, Queensland Country Health Fund Money's takeHBF is one of the largest not-for-profit health funds in Australia. Recently it’s become known for its fluffy Quokka brand ambassadors. It’s also one of the industry leaders on many of the metrics ass... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
HCF Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 87.1% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 89.0% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Health & wellbeing programs, including weight management and mental health support Money's takeHCF is Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, with around 2 million members. It ranks ahead of its competitors on some key metrics, including member retention and the rate at which it returns... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Bupa Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 87.0% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 82.6% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Eligible members can access 24/7 online doctors and other digital health services Money's takeBupa is one of the largest health insurers in Australia, accounting for roughly 25% of the market. On most of the metrics assessed by the Commonwealth Ombudsman, it performs about on par relative to t... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Westfund Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 86.7% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 82.4% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Hospital Care at Home services for eligible members Money's takeWestfund is another of Australia’s smaller not-for-profit health funds, covering all of the country. The fund performs well in comparison to other funds for coverage levels, scoring above the average ... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Medibank | Member retention (hospital cover) 85.5% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 84.9% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Get Gold level cover no matter what level of hospital cover you have with the Accident Injury Benefit Sub-brands ahm Money's takeMedibank is Australia’s largest private health insurer, accounting for around 26% of the industry. Its cover extends to the full range of policy types, with a large number of variations to choose from... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
People Care Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 85.2% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 79.3% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit 30-day cooling-off period if you change your mind after joining or upgrading your cover Money's takePeople Care began life as a health fund for various corporations in the mining and steel industry but has since become an open fund available to all. Looking at its performance compared to the industr... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
HCi Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 85.1% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 79.3% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit No new waiting periods to serve when you join on the same or a lower level of cover Money's takeOne of Australia’s smallest providers, HCi is a Tasmania-based, member-owned fund that offers 8 policy options, plus combinations of these. Its member retention rate is slightly below average for the ... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Phoenix Health Fund | Member retention (hospital cover) 83.9% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 79.0% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Members can access a range of discounted gift cards and online offers Money's takePhoenix Health is another of Australia’s smaller not-for-profit health funds, covering all of the country. The fund performs well in comparison to some funds for coverage levels, scoring above the ave... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Australian Unity | Member retention (hospital cover) 82.3% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 81.9% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Save on eGiftcards from Coles, Woolworths, Apple, Amazon and more Money's takeAustralian Unity is a mutual health insurance provider that’s been operating in Australia for more than 180 years. Based on the latest data, around 1 in 50 Australians with health insurance are with A... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
nib | Member retention (hospital cover) 81.3% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 80.8% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit 100% back on preventative dental check-ups for eligible members at participating dentists. Sub-brands Various Money's takeAround 1 in 10 Australian private health insurance members are with either nib or one of the other brands its insurance is distributed through. These brands include Suncorp, Qantas Health, and ING. At... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
GMHBA Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 80.7% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 80.7% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit No need to re-reserve waiting periods on the same or lower level of cover Sub-brands Frank Health Insurance Money's takeGMHBA is a not-for-profit health fund operating across Australia, including via its subsidiary Frank. It’s a small fund in terms of market share (around 370,000 members) but enjoys relatively good cus... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
Latrobe Health Services | Member retention (hospital cover) 77.1% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 79.4% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit No need to re-sit waiting periods when you switch to Latrobe from the same or a lower level of cover Money's takeLatrobe Health Services is a not-for-profit health fund based in and focussed on the Victorian market, but it does offer services to members across Australia. According to the Commonwealth Ombudsman S... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
HIF Health Insurance | Member retention (hospital cover) 75.0% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 80.5% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Access to Valion Health's Cancer Support Complete Program for eligible members Money's takeHIF is a small not-for-profit health fund operating across Australia. It offers Hospital, Extras and combined policies. Compared to the rest of the industry, HIF has a low-ish member retention rate of... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
AIA Health | Member retention (hospital cover) 68.3% Industry average: 89.5% Premiums returned in benefits 88.0% Industry average: 82.4% Key benefit Access to AIA Vitality, a science-backed health and wellbeing program that offers discounts and rewards. Money's takeAIA Health operates Australia-wide, covering more than 3.1 million people. Its health insurance spans hospital, extras and combined policies. According to the latest data from the Commonwealth Ombudsm... Pros
Cons
Additional information
|
New analysis from Money.com.au suggests next year’s private health insurance premium increase could land between 3.9% and 4.4%.
While premium rises have remained below health inflation since 2021, the gap has been steadily narrowing. If health inflation stays around the 4% mark this year, the 2026 increase could match – or even exceed – the rate of health price inflation.
A premium rise of 3.9% to 4.4% would add an estimated $127 to $144 a year to the average combined Hospital and eExtras policy for singles. Families could see their annual premiums increase by $191 to $216. These estimates are based on an average combined single policy costing $3,264 a year and a combined family policy costing $4,908.
Money.com.au’s General Manager of Health Insurance, Chris Whitelaw, says stronger premium increases are likely to be felt by millions of Australians.
“What we’re seeing is a reset. Premium increases stayed unusually low for several years, and 2026 could mark a return to a more ‘normal’ – but still painful – growth cycle,” he says. “A rise of around 4% would come as a shock to many policyholders, particularly after a period of softer increases.”
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance
“Now is the time to look closely at your policy and inclusions and reassess whether you’re really getting value for money. In my experience, there’s almost always a cheaper or better-suited policy available if you’re willing to shop around.”
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance
Here are some of the main benefits of private health insurance in Australia.
Having private health insurance means you may receive treatment faster than you would through the private system. Public waiting lists on certain treatments can be very long and private health insurance can mean being seen sooner.
If you have private health insurance you may be able to choose where to be treated and by which doctor. You also have a lot of choice when it comes to tailoring you cover to suit you needs, particularly on Extras cover.
Depending on your income, if you don’t have an adequate level of Hospital cover you won’t need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge. There are also government incentives designed to encourage people to take out private health cover when they are younger.
Depending on your income level, you may receive a rebate from the government to lower the cost of your private health insurance. This will either come in the form of a discount on your premiums or as a tax offset.
When Australians come through Money.com.au looking for private health cover, cost remains the biggest driver, with 32.17% seeking cheaper options. Many also want to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (19.29%) or secure better hospital and extras cover (18.21%). Others are motivated by specific health needs for themselves or their family (13.26%), planning for a baby (8.26%), visa requirements (4.4%), or being new arrivals to Australia (4.4%).
| Private health insurance | Medicare |
|---|---|
Your choice of doctor when you go to hospital | Covers hospital treatments but you can't choose your doctor |
Covers certain out-of-hospital services, like dental, through Extras cover | Does not cover out-of-hospital services, like dental |
Some policies cover ambulance services | Ambulance services not covered (but are paid by for the government in some states and territories) |
May mean you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge | You may need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge to help fund the system |
Private health insurance in Australia allows people who are covered to be treated as a private patient in hospital, with some or all of the cost covered by their insurance. This may mean not needing to wait as long for a procedure. As a private patient, you also generally have more control over what hospital you’re treated at and by which doctor.
Health insurance also covers some things that are not covered by the public health system in Australia, such as dental check ups and procedures. But what exactly you get from health insurance will depend on the type of policy you have.
Hospital cover provides a benefit if you are treated as a private patient in hospital. It covers a range of medical conditions, which depend on what tier cover you have, including treatment costs and additional costs like travel and accommodation relating to covered procedures.
Generally, a Hospital policy will only cover a portion of the cost of receiving treatment, with the difference (known as a gap payment) to be covered by the patient out of pocket.
There are four tiers of Hospital cover in Australia, with varying levels of inclusions and cost:
An extras policy covers a range of medical and related treatments that occur outside of hospital. Some of the more common Extras inclusions are dental check ups and treatments, optical, physiotherapy, and certain pregnancy related services.
Like hospital cover, the types of conditions covered under an Extras policy will depend on what level of policy you choose. Policies also vary in terms of the limits for claiming under different categories per year and what percentage of an individual treatment you can claim back.
The higher the level of Extras coverage you choose, the more expensive the policy is likely to be.
You can choose to take out private health insurance that’s a combination of Hospital and Extras, although effectively you will have two separate policies. You generally have the ability to ‘mix and match’ your Hospital and Extras based on your needs. For example, you might choose to have a high level of Hospital cover and a low level of Extras, or vice versa.
Most people who get Hospital cover choose to do so through a combined policy. It's more common for people to have an Extras-only policy, the latest health insurance statistics show.
According to the latest data from the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (PHIIA), combined Hospital and Extras policies represented 76.3% of all policies sold in 2024-25.
Depending on where you live in Australia, you may be charged for using ambulance services. Ambulance insurance is designed to cover policyholders for all or part of these costs. Ambulance cover can be purchased as part of a wider health insurance policy or as a standalone.
This type of cover is designed for people who will be living in Australia under certain Visa classes, but who will not be eligible to access the Medicare system. Overseas Visitor Health Cover works differently to private health insurance for permanent residents and citizens. For example, pre-existing conditions may not be covered.
Whatever the make-up of your family, there is a policy type to fit. The types of treatments and services that can be covered are the same for each. The only difference is the number and ages of people who can be covered by each:
Our data shows that half of Australians using Money.com.au are looking for a singles policy, followed by family policies (24%), couples policies (20%) and single-parent policies (6%).
We recently surveyed over 1,000 Australians and found that 51% use their Hospital cover 1-2 times a year, 10% use it 3-5 times a year, 5% use it 6-10 times a year, and 2% use it more than 10 times a year. Our survey also revealed that 69% of respondents find the health insurance tier system (Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold) somewhat confusing, particularly regarding what each tier covers and how it impacts costs.
Our survey asked Australians how long they’ve held their private health insurance. The largest group (41.9%) said they’ve had it for more than 15 years, followed by 25.3% who’ve been covered for 1–5 years and 18.9% for 6–10 years.
We also asked how often people had switched since first taking out cover. Almost half (46.4%) said they’d never switched, showing strong loyalty. About a third (33.4%) said they’d switched once, 15.6% said 2–3 times, and 4.5% said 4 or more times.
Finally, we asked Australians to find out whether they check customer reviews before choosing or switching health insurers. A third of respondents (33.7%) said they check reviews sometimes, usually when they’re unsure about a health fund. A quarter (25%) said they always check reviews before signing up. Nearly another quarter (24.7%) reported that they stick with the same fund out of habit, while 16.6% rely on comparison websites or word of mouth.
Health insurance policies usually have waiting periods, which is the time you must wait before you can claim on certain services. These can range from two months for basic hospital treatment to 12 months for pre-existing conditions or health insurance for pregnancy-related services. However, there are some scenarios where you may be able to get health insurance with no waiting period.
Even with private health insurance, you might still have out-of-pocket costs, also known as ‘the gap’. This happens when the doctor’s or hospital’s fees are higher than what Medicare and your health fund will pay. How much the gap payment will be depends on the type of treatment, which hospital you visit and other factors.
An excess is the amount health insurance policyholders need to pay upfront when admitted to hospital, as a contribution towards the cost of treatment. You may be able to opt for a higher excess to lower your health insurance premiums.
This is a government initiative encouraging Australians to take out private hospital cover before they turn 31. If you join after that age, you'll pay an extra 2% on your premium for every year you're over 30, up to a maximum of 70%.
Higher-income earners who do not have private hospital cover may need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge. This is an additional tax designed to encourage people to take out private insurance and reduce pressure on the public health system.
In Australia, health insurance premiums are not determined by your health status or risk. Under community rating, everyone pays the same premium for the same policy, regardless of age (including seniors), gender, or health conditions. This is different to other kinds of cover (like car insurance) where insurers can take account of factors like the policyholders age and past claims.
Switching health insurers is a very simple process, so don’t be afraid to regularly review what you’re paying and change if you can find better value elsewhere. Comparing health insurance once at least once a year is a good way to ensure you’re not overpaying.
When you’re comparing providers, look out for health insurance offers and discounts. Some providers offer 6 or eight weeks free on new eligible policies, which can be equal to hundreds of dollars in saved premiums.
There are various incentives (and penalties) in place to encourage people to take out health insurance while they are young. For example, if you have not taken out hospital cover from the year you turn 31, but then decide to take it out later on, you will pay a 2% loading on top of your premium for every year you are aged over 30.
Health insurers typically increase their premiums once a year on 1 April. However, it may be possible to pre-pay your premiums for the remainder of the year at the current level. This would mean avoiding the premium increase for that year. Just be sure you won’t need to cancel your policy after you have forked out for the premiums in advance.
Only pay for what you need
Health insurance policies are sold in tiers to reflect the level of coverage available under the policy. Take a look at what’s covered under each tier and match your level of cover to what you actually need (or are likely to need in the future). Consider reducing your cover level if you are overpaying for cover you don’t need.
Increase your excess
On Hospital cover, you may be able to choose a higher level of excess on your policy. This will mean a higher up-front cost if you are admitted to hospital and make a claim, but your premiums should be lower.
Popular articles about health insurance in Australia.
HEALTH INSURANCE
By Sean Callery
HEALTH INSURANCE
By Jared Mullane
HEALTH INSURANCE
By Jared Mullane
HEALTH INSURANCE
By Sean Callery
HEALTH INSURANCE
By Sean Callery
HEALTH INSURANCE
By Jared Mullane
Private health insurance in Australia provides coverage for health services beyond what Medicare offers. It includes Hospital cover for in-hospital treatments and Extras cover for services like dental, optical and physiotherapy.
A recent Money.com.au survey found that 54% of Australians have Hospital cover, while 51% have Extras cover.
Yes, you can switch health insurance providers at any time. Just be sure to check whether any waiting periods apply to your new policy. The switching process is usually quick and hassle-free. Once you sign up with a new fund, your cove can often start immediately or from a date you choose, including the day after you cancel your old policy. This is particularly important when switching health insurance after separation or divorce, as timing can help prevent gaps in cover.
If you’ve paid premiums in advance, your previous fund is generally required to refund any amount paid beyond your cancellation date.
To switch health insurance in Australia you simply need to apply for cover through a new fund. Your new fund will ask for your policy details relating to your old fund and will take care of the rest.
When switching funds just make sure you are not going to be losing any coverage you might rely on in the future. Also bear in mind that if you apply for a higher level of cover, you will generally need to sit a waiting period on the new policy. During that period you will not be able to make a claim.
According to our latest survey, 9% of Australians plan to switch their health insurance policy in 2025.
Health insurance in Australia can be expensive. Based on our analysis, the cost of combined Hospital and Extras cover typically ranges from $95 to $360 per month for singles, and $190 to $750 per month for couples and families.
But just how expensive it is will depend on various factors, including:
Whether health insurance is worth it or not comes down to your own situation. For example, the value you get from having it could be determined by your medical situation and needs, your income and how old you are.
Younger people typically do not claim on their health insurance as often as older people, but there may be discounts available to younger policyholders to incentivise them having cover in place.
If you ever need a medical operation, access to out-of-hospital services, or support for mental health, having the right policy in place could be worthwhile.
The best health insurance policy will be different depending on what type of cover you need. Hospital policies are broken up into tiers based on the level of cover, while Extras policies are also categorised by the level of inclusions. Choosing the best policy for your needs means matching the inclusions to your current and likely future needs.
Once you’ve decided what level of cover is best for you, you should compare multiple providers based on factors like premium cost and coverage limits before deciding which to go with.
Start by assessing your health needs, budget, and the level of cover you require – whether it’s just for you, your partner, or your entire family. The best way to find the right health insurance policy is to compare plans from multiple providers, as many funds regularly offer sign-up deals and incentives to attract new members.
No, private health insurance is not mandatory in Australia. But there are several government incentives and policies in place that encourage people to have it.
Most forms of insurance are optional for consumers. The only form of mandatory insurance most individuals will encounter is compulsory third party car insurance (CTP). You generally must have this if you own a car.
In Australia, private health insurance operates on a community rating system. This means that everyone pays the same premium for the same policy, regardless of their health status or claims history.
The MLS is an additional tax for Australian taxpayers who don't have private Hospital cover and earn above a certain income threshold. It's designed to encourage higher-income earners to take out private health insurance.
A recent Money.com.au survey asked Australians why they chose to take out Hospital cover. The top reason was to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, with 24% of respondents citing it as their main motivation.
For the 2025–26 financial year, the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applies to Australian taxpayers without appropriate private hospital cover whose income exceeds certain thresholds. The MLS is an additional tax of 1% to 1.5%, depending on income level.
Here are the income thresholds for the MLS:
For families, the income threshold increases by $1,500 for each dependent child after the first.
The main difference between Bronze and Gold hospital insurance tiers in Australia is the level of cover provided and the price.
Gold policies offer the highest level of cover, including all 38 clinical categories (like pregnancy, joint replacements and cataracts), while Bronze policies cover a basic set of inclusions (like emergency ambulance and accidents).
Bronze is cheaper but more limited, while Gold is more expensive but covers a broader range of services and is ideal for people who want or need full private hospital coverage.
The cost difference between Basic and Gold policies is significant, reflecting the level of coverage each tier provides. For example, a Basic policy for singles can start from around $80 per month, while a Gold policy may cost $250 or more each month.
Some Basic hospital plans include ambulance services, but coverage varies by provider and policy. Some Basic policies offer emergency ambulance cover, while others do not. It's worth checking the specific details of your policy to determine if ambulance services are included.
Ambulance cover also depends on your state or territory. In Queensland and Tasmania, residents are covered by government-funded ambulance services. In other states and territories, you'll typically need separate ambulance cover through your health insurance.
The rebate is an income-tested rebate from the government to help cover the cost of private health insurance premiums. The percentage of the rebate varies based on your income and age.
The Australian Government provides a private health insurance rebate to help reduce the cost of premiums for eligible individuals and families. The rebate amount varies based on your income, age and family status. With this particular rebate, you can save between 8.095% and 32.385%.
The private health insurance rebate tiers for premiums paid from 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026 are:
| Single income | Rebate % |
|---|---|
$101,000 or less | 24.288% for under 65s 28.337% for ages 65-69 32.385% for ages 70+ |
$101,001 - $118,000 | 16.192% for under 65s 20.240% for ages 65-69 24.288% for ages 70+ |
$118,001 - $158,000 | 8.095% for under 65s 12.143% for ages 65-69 16.192% for ages 70+ |
$158,001+ | Not eligible |
Family income | Rebate % |
$202,000 or less | 24.288% for under 65s 28.337% for ages 65-69 32.385% for ages 70+ |
$202,001 - $236,000 | 16.192% for under 65s 20.240% for ages 65-69 24.288% for ages 70+ |
$236,001 - $316,000 | 8.095% for under 65s 12.143% for ages 65-69 16.192% for ages 70+ |
$316,001+ | Not eligible |
LHC loading is a government initiative to encourage individuals to take out private hospital cover earlier in life. If you don't have hospital cover by July 1 following your 31st birthday, you may pay a 2% loading on top of your premium for every year you are aged over 30.
6% of Australians chose to take out Hospital cover to avoid paying the Lifetime Health Cover loading, according to a recent Money.com.au survey.
No, Australian health insurers are not permitted to offer no-claim discounts on health insurance policies. According to Peoplecare, private health insurance legislation prohibits health funds from providing no-claim bonuses.
A Money.com.au survey found that 31% of Australians have never made a claim on their hospital cover, compared to just 8% who have never claimed on their extras cover.
Private health insurance can help cover various aspects of managing chronic conditions, including specialist consultations, hospital admissions for related surgeries, and access to allied health services. However, you'll likely need to be on a Gold-tier policy. Coverage details may vary depending on your insurer, so it’s important to check the specifics of your policy.
Insurer GMHBA offers a Chronic Disease Management Program (CDMP), providing eligible hospital cover members with phone-based health coaching, personalised advice, and support for pain management and improving overall health.
Please note that if you have a chronic condition before joining a private health fund, it may be considered a pre-existing condition, and some policies may have waiting periods or exclusions for treatment related to that condition.
Yes, having private health insurance does not affect your eligibility for Medicare and you can still access public healthcare services. According to Services Australia, you may go to a public hospital as a private patient and be able to claim the costs from Medicare and some or all of the costs through your private health cover.
Waiting periods are the timeframes you need to wait after taking out a policy before you can start claiming benefits. For Hospital cover, common waiting periods include 12 months for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy-related services. With Extras cover, you’ll typically see 2-month waits for general dental and 6 months for optical services.
An excess is a predetermined amount you agree to pay when you are admitted to the hospital. For example, if your excess is $500, you pay this amount towards your hospital stay, and the insurer covers the rest. A co-payment is an agreed amount you pay each time you receive a particular service, such as $50 per day in the hospital.
If you earn above a specified income threshold and don't have private hospital cover, you may be required to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge, an additional tax. The average yearly taxable income of health insurance customers in our database is $89,777.
Sean Callery is the Editor of Money.com.au. He has over 15 years of international experience. He is qualified with a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking (FNS40821) and is compliant to provide general advice in Tier 1 General Insurance (RG 146) products.
Jared Mullane is a finance writer with more than eight years of experience at some of Australia’s biggest finance and consumer brands. His areas of expertise include energy, home loans, personal finance and insurance. Jared is qualified with a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking (FNS40821).
The information on this page is general in nature and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information provided and the nature of any product is suitable for you and seek independent advice if necessary.
We do not compare all health insurance providers and products available in Australia and we do not guarantee that our product comparisons include all product features and attributes relevant to you.
In providing general information on this page, we are not providing you with a recommendation or suggestion about a particular product. You should read the relevant disclosure statements or other offer documents before deciding whether to apply for or continue to use a particular product.
However, when a customer requests that we contact them regarding health insurance, after being on the Money.com.au website, we will take the information they provide into account when providing the customer with a range of health insurance product options.
We have partnered with The ItsMy Group (ABN 85 167 289 965) to form our panel of health insurance providers. If a Money.com.au insurance advisor helps you find a more suitable product and you join that health insurer, IMG receive a payment from that fund, which they pass on to us. This is normally a one-off fee but it can also be paid in increments over time.
There is no charge to consumers to use the service, and any payment we receive does not change the price you pay for the product. Our health insurance advisors do not know how much we are paid by the fund they recommend.
Both Money.com.au and The ItsMy Group are members of the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (“PHIIA”) and are have signed up to the PHIIA Code of Conduct.
Our customers have access to offers from a range of health insurance partners:
Please note, we do not compare all health funds in the market, or all policies from our partner funds, and at times certain funds or products might be unavailable.
At Money.com.au, we aim to provide you with the highest level of service, but we also understand that occasionally you may not be 100% happy with us. If that’s the case, you can let us know by emailing us at support@money.com.au
If we can’t resolve your issue immediately, a senior manager will respond to you at the latest by the next business day from receipt of your enquiry. If we are still unable to resolve the matter within three days, it will be escalated to the attention of the CEO.
You could also contact your health fund or the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman’s office (PHIO):
Our Australian-based call centre is open weekdays between 9am and 5pm (AEST) with our team of experts ready to help!
You can reach us on 1300 001 359 or (02) 8528 1995.
Offer
Offer period
Eligibility Criteria
Note: This offer is not available:
Fulfilment of Six Weeks Free
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions: Get 6 weeks free when you purchase extras cover (1 Feb – 31 March 2026)
Offer
Offer period
Eligibility Criteria
Note: This offer is not available:
An eligible customer must:
Fulfilment of Six Weeks Free
Terms and Conditions
i. In most cases, your 6 weeks free will be applied 28 days after you join, extending the date you're "paid to".
ii. If your weeks free period ends before your next direct debit date, we may take a smaller- than-usual payment to make up the difference.
Eligibility An eligible customer must: a) not have held Bupa Health Insurance in the last 60 days prior to join date b) join through The ItsMy Group Pty Ltd (ABN 85 167 289 965); c) be an Australian resident over the age of 18; d) take out an Eligible Bupa Health Insurance Policy (see section 3 below) between 02/02/2026 and 31/03/2026 and such policy must commence by 30/04/2026, maintain that cover and meet all payment obligations for 28 consecutive days from the join date and be financial to receive the 6 weeks free offer, with the payment value of the free weeks to be calculated on the level of cover at the time the payment is made; e) pay their health insurance premiums by direct debit; and f) provide a valid email address. If they meet all of the eligibility criteria above, they are an Eligible Customer.
Eligible Bupa Health Insurance Policy An Eligible Bupa Health Insurance Policy is a combined domestic Hospital and Extras product or packaged product issued by Bupa and available through The ItsMy Group Pty Ltd but excludes any hospital product when combined with Freedom 50 and Freedom 60 Extras products (Freedom 60 Boost is included in this offer)
General a) Yearly limits, waiting periods, benefit claiming restrictions, fund and policy rules apply. b) The Offer is not available with any other Bupa promotional join offer provided by Bupa. c) If you do not satisfy these terms and conditions before becoming entitled to the Offer then Bupa may elect, acting reasonably, not to award you with the Offer. If Bupa discovers that you did not satisfy
these terms and conditions after the Offer has been awarded, then Bupa may decide, acting reasonably, to remove the Offer. d) Bupa reserves the right to end, change or extend this offer at any time. e) Bupa is not liable for any loss or damage suffered because of this promotion (except that which cannot be excluded by law). f) The Offer is not available to any customers attached to a corporate group including employees [or contractors] of Bupa, or any other Bupa Group company.
The offer only applies to hospital and extras (combined) policies, not extras-only or hospital-only policies.
This offer does not apply to members transferring from a product issued by nib (including Qantas Health Insurance, Suncorp Health Insurance, GU Health Insurance, AAMI Health Insurance, Apia Health Insurance, ING, Priceline Health Insurance, Real Health Insurance, Seniors Health Insurance, nib International Workers Health Insurance, nib Overseas Students Health Insurance, or nib Corporate Health Insurance) at the time of joining the Eligible Product, or who have cancelled any of these policies within 6 months before or during the offer period.
Excluded Products: Deluxe Saver Silver Plus Hospital.
The Offer consists of adjusting the “paid to” date on the qualifying policy to reflect the reduction off the premium payable for an amount equating to 6 weeks of the annual premium.
Eligible Members must maintain the Eligible Product up to the date of the Offer being applied to the active policy, being 29 April 2026 (Fulfilment Date). The Offer will be forfeited if the Eligible Member is not an active policyholder on the Fulfilment Date, if premium payments are not up to date on the Fulfilment Date, or if the policy is cancelled prior to the end of the adjusted “paid to” date provided under the Offer.
Members who join nib with a policy start date outside of the Offer Period can qualify for the Offer, provided the join is processed within the start and end dates of the Offer.
6 Weeks Free Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to the nib join offer to join and receive “6 Weeks Free” (Offer).
The Promoter of this Offer is ItsMy Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 167 289 965 of 10/1 Middle Road, Malvern East, VIC 3145 (Promoter). By joining, claimants agree to be bound by these conditions.
The Offer commences at 12:00 am (AEDT) on 1 February 2026 and closes at 11:59 pm (AEDT) on 28 February 2026 (Offer Period). Policies joined after 11:59 pm (AEDT) on 28 February 2026 will not be eligible for the Offer.
This Offer is open only to Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or those entitled to full reciprocal rights under Medicare, registered for Medicare and listed on an active Medicare card, who are 18 years or over as at the date of joining (Eligible Members).
The Offer is only available to Eligible Members who join an nib combined Hospital and Extras Australian resident’s health insurance product (nib ARHI product) through the Promoter’s approved channels during the Offer Period (Eligible Product). The Offer does not apply to any other private health insurance product issued by nib, or to any member moving from one of these products to an Eligible Product. The Offer excludes non-health related insurance products (e.g. travel).
nib may request proof of identity, residency and eligibility to ensure the Eligible Member meets the Private Health Insurance requirements for the Eligible Product.
For clarity, Eligible Members who join an Eligible Product during the Offer Period with a policy start date outside of the Offer Period can qualify for the Offer, subject to compliance with: a) these Terms and Conditions (including the Eligibility Requirements); and b) any other terms and conditions imposed by nib in relation to the selection of policy start dates.
The Offer consists of adjusting the “paid to” date on the qualifying policy to reflect the reduction off the premium payable for an amount equating to 6 weeks of the annual premium.
To receive the Offer, Eligible Members must: a) successfully join an Eligible Product during the Offer Period through one of the Promoter’s approved channels. Ineligible products include Basic Kickstarter, Basic Accident Hospital and Value Extras; b) maintain the Eligible Product up to the Fulfilment Date, being 29 April 2026. The Offer will be forfeited if the Eligible Member is not an active policyholder on the Fulfilment Date, if premium payments are not up to date on the Fulfilment Date, or if the policy is cancelled prior to the end of the adjusted “paid to” date; c) not be a current policyholder of a product issued by nib (including nib Corporate Private Health Insurance, Qantas Health Insurance, Suncorp Health Insurance, GU Health Insurance, AAMI Health Insurance, Apia Health Insurance, ING Health Insurance, Priceline Health Insurance, Real Health Insurance, or Seniors Health Insurance) at the time of joining the Eligible Product, nor have cancelled any of these policies within 6 months before or during the Offer Period, excluding transfers from nib International Workers Health Insurance, nib International Students Health Insurance, or where a dependant or spouse transitions to their own policy; d) have a valid email address applied to their policy; and e) not be an employee of the Promoter (Eligibility Requirements).
Limit of one Offer per Eligible Product commenced during the Offer Period.
The Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion except for nib’s “2 and 6 Month Waiver” offer.
If an Eligible Member satisfies the Eligibility Requirements, the Promoter will email the Eligible Member confirming qualification for the Offer and that the “paid to” date has been adjusted in accordance with clause 8.
The Offer cannot be redeemed for cash, refunded, replaced after expiry, or treated as legal tender, an account card, credit, or security.
Subject to any rights under applicable laws, the Promoter excludes all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law for any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity, profits, or business) arising in connection with the Offer.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions restricts or modifies statutory consumer rights under applicable law, including the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
The Promoter may amend or withdraw all or part of this Offer at any time and substitute it with another offer of equal or greater value. No compensation will be payable where an Offer is substituted.
The Promoter is not responsible for undelivered emails due to spam filters or email settings.
The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any person who provides false information or seeks to gain an unfair advantage or manipulate the Offer.
Personal information will be collected by the Promoter for the purpose of conducting and promoting this Offer and improving services. By claiming the Offer, Eligible Members consent to the use of their personal information in accordance with the Promoter’s Privacy Policy at https://www.itsmyhealthinsurance.com.au/privacy . If personal information is not provided, participation in the Offer may not be possible.
2 & 6 Month Waiver Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to the nib join offer to join and receive a “2 and 6 Month Waiver” (Waiver).
The Promoter of this Waiver is ItsMy Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 167 289 965 of 10/1 Middle Road, Malvern East, VIC 3145 (Promoter). By joining, claimants agree to be bound by these conditions.
The Waiver commences at 12:00 am (AEDT) on 1 November 2025 and remains available unless amended, withdrawn, cancelled or suspended by nib in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
The Waiver is open only to Australian citizens, permanent residents, or those entitled to full reciprocal Medicare rights, registered for Medicare and listed on an active Medicare card, who are 18 years or over as at the date of joining (Eligible Members).
The Waiver is only available to Eligible Members who join an nib combined Hospital and Extras Australian resident’s health insurance product (nib ARHI product) through the Promoter’s approved channels during the Waiver Period (Eligible Product). The Waiver does not apply to other private health insurance products issued by nib, nor to members transferring from those products. Non-health insurance products (e.g. travel) are excluded.
nib may request proof of identity, residency and eligibility to ensure compliance with Private Health Insurance requirements.
Eligible Members who join an Eligible Product during the Waiver Period with a policy start date outside the Waiver Period may still qualify, subject to compliance with these Terms and Conditions and any nib requirements regarding policy start dates.
The Waiver consists of waiving the 2-month and 6-month waiting periods on all Extras services that normally require those waiting periods under the Eligible Product.
To receive the Waiver, Eligible Members must: a) successfully join an Eligible Product during the Waiver Period through approved channels (ineligible products include Basic Kickstarter, Basic Accident Hospital and Value Extras); b) not be a current policyholder of a product issued by nib (including nib Overseas Students Health Insurance, nib International Workers Health Insurance, nib Corporate Private Health Insurance, Qantas Health Insurance, Suncorp Health Insurance, GU Health Insurance, AAMI Health Insurance, Apia Health Insurance, ING Health Insurance, Priceline Health Insurance, Real Health Insurance, or Seniors Health Insurance) at the time of joining, nor have cancelled any of these products within 6 months before or during the Waiver Period; c) have a valid email address applied to their policy; and d) not be an employee of the Promoter (Eligibility Requirements).
The Waiver cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion unless otherwise stated.
The Promoter will apply the Waiver at the policy start date. The Waiver becomes effective for claims only once the first premium payment is successfully processed and the policy is deemed financial.
The Waiver cannot be redeemed for cash, refunded, replaced after expiry, or treated as legal tender, an account card, credit, or security.
Subject to applicable laws, the Promoter excludes all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law for any loss or damage arising in connection with the Waiver.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions restricts or modifies statutory consumer rights under applicable law, including the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
The Promoter may amend or withdraw all or part of this Waiver at any time and substitute it with another offer of equal or greater value.
The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any person who provides false information or seeks to gain an unfair advantage or manipulate the Waiver.
Personal information will be collected for the purpose of conducting and promoting the Waiver and improving services. By receiving the Waiver, Eligible Members consent to the use of their personal information in accordance with the Promoter’s Privacy Policy at https://www.itsmyhealthinsurance.com.au/privacy . If personal information is not provided, participation in the Waiver may not be possible.
Offer
Eligibility Criteria
Customers must:
Note: This offer is not available:
Fulfilment of Eight Weeks Free
Terms and Conditions
(Available at www.australianunity.com.au/aggregator-terms-and-conditions)
Terms and Conditions: Get 8 (6+2) weeks free when you purchase hospital and extras cover (5 Jan – 31 March 2026)
Terms and Conditions for the “6 Weeks’ Free Cover + No 2-Month Waits on Extras (6W2M)” Promotion (Offer)
The promoter is Health Insurance Fund of Australia Limited ACN 128 302 161 of 100 Stirling Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000 (HIF).
Eligibility
This offer starts on Saturday 1 November 2025 at 12:01am and closes on Sunday 30 November 2025 at 11.59pm (WST) (Offer Period).
The policy start date must start no later than the Offer Period.
This offer is only available to a person who purchases an Eligible Product and opts to pay by Direct Debit for fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, or six-monthly (Eligible Member).
This offer is available during the Offer Period to Eligible Members who purchase an Eligible Product from a broker.
This offer is only available for the following Combined and Packaged Hospital and Extras covers: i. Hospital: Basic Plus, Bronze, Bronze Plus, Silver or Silver Plus; and ii. Extras: Basic, Value, Simple, Essential, Advanced, Top; or iii. Packaged: Basic Starter, Bronze Plus Simple Choice (Eligible Product).
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount from HIF, except where those offers or discounts explicitly state.
Offer
This offer is for 6 weeks’ free cover on an Eligible Product plus a waiver of the 2-month waiting periods on Extras cover.
The 6 weeks’ free cover offer will be applied after 90 consecutive days from the policy start date by advancing the date the policy is paid to by 6 weeks. That is, after 90 consecutive days of cover, the next 6 weeks of cover are treated as paid.
During the 6 weeks’ free cover period, the Direct Debit will be suspended and will resume at the end of the 6 weeks’ free cover period.
At the end of the 6 weeks’ free cover period, the offer is redeemed and HIF is under no further obligation in respect of the offer.
Eligible Members must maintain their Eligible Product (and be financial) for 90 consecutive days from the policy start date on Direct Debit to be eligible to receive the 6 weeks’ free cover. Please allow up to 14 days from that date for the offer to be applied.
This offer is not redeemable for cash, transferrable or exchangeable. No part of the premium which would have otherwise been payable in the 6 week free cover period will be refunded in the event of termination or cancellation of the policy.
Eligible Members who purchase an Eligible Product and qualify for this offer, but later downgrade to Hospital only within 90 days of joining will not have the 6 weeks’ free cover applied to their policy.
Eligible Members who purchase an Eligible Product and qualify for this offer, but downgrade to Extras only within 60 days of joining will have the 2-month Extras waiting periods re-applied to their policy.
To the extent permissible by law, HIF may amend, cancel or suspend all or part of this offer.
Privacy
HIF’s Privacy Policy outlines how personal information is handled and the steps we take to ensure your privacy, which is available on our website at www.hif.com.au/privacy
Terms and Conditions | 4 Weeks Free + 2 & 6 Month Waits Waived 2 February 2026 – 31 March 2026
Eligibility
This offer is available to new see-u by HBF policyholders who purchase an eligible combined Hospital and Extras cover via eligible and approved distributors, complete the purchase in a single transaction between 9:00am (AEST) on 2 February 2026 and 11:59pm (AEST) on 31 March 2026, and maintain continuous, paid cover for the required period(s) to receive the free weeks.
This offer is not available to employees of see-u, QCHF, HBF, or related entities; current or former members who have received a promotional joining offer for a see-u by HBF branded policy in the last 18 months; existing see-u members making changes to their current policy (including upgrades, downgrades, or adding dependants); policies purchased as Hospital-only or Extras-only cover; policies combined with products outside the eligible list; or members redeeming another see-u promotion, incentive, or weeks-free offer at the same time.
Eligible Products
The following combined Hospital and Extras products are eligible under this offer: Starter Hospital $750 Excess with Daily Co-Pay plus Eligible Extras; Starter Hospital $750 Excess (Basic) plus Eligible Extras; Saver Hospital $750 Excess (Bronze Plus) plus Eligible Extras; Saver Hospital $750 Excess with Daily Co-Pay plus Eligible Extras; Smart Hospital $750 Excess (Bronze Plus) plus Eligible Extras; and Secure Hospital $750 Excess (Silver) plus Eligible Extras.
Fulfilment of 4 Weeks Free
Four weeks’ free cover will be applied after eight weeks of continuous eligible cover, provided full payment has been received and the policy is set to direct debit. If a member’s last full payment aligns with their free-cover eligibility date, the free cover will begin from the next scheduled payment date. During the free-cover period, direct debits will be paused automatically and regular payments will resume immediately after the free weeks end.
Fulfilment of 2- & 6-Month Extras Waiting Period Waiver
The waiver applies to the Extras portion of the policy only. Hospital waiting periods and any Extras waiting periods longer than six months continue to apply. If you join within two months of leaving another Australian health insurer, waiting periods already served on a comparable or lower level of cover will generally be recognised. Members must be financial and have paid four weeks of premiums before any claims can be approved. Eligible claims for services received from the join date will be payable once this requirement is met.
General Conditions
Free weeks are not redeemable for cash or any other benefit. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other see-u promotion, incentive, or weeks-free offer. see-u by HBF reserves the right to vary, withdraw, or amend this offer and its qualifying criteria at any time without notice.
HBF Health Limited ABN 11 126 884 786 trading as see-u by HBF Phone: 1300 499 260 Email: info@seeuhealthinsurance.com.au
