How much is private health insurance in Australia?
The average private health insurance premiums in Australia are as follows:
Singles
- $88–$306 per month for Hospital cover (depending on the tier), or $1,056–$3,672 per year.
- $58 per month for Extras cover, or $696 per year.
Couples
- $175–$592 per month for Hospital cover (depending on the tier), or $2,100–$7,104 per year.
- $115 per month for Extras cover, or $1,380 per year.
Families
- $180–$606 per month for Hospital cover (depending on the tier), or $2,160–$7,272 per year.
- $125 per month for Extras cover, or $1,500 per year.
These ranges offer a general guide to what you might pay based on your household and cover type. Your actual premium will vary depending on your personal circumstances and where you live. Let's look at the average premiums across Australia.
Average health insurance cost for singles
Tier | Basic Hospital |
|---|---|
National | $88 |
NSW | $96 |
VIC | $197 |
QLD | $100 |
SA | $93 |
WA | $76 |
TAS | $95 |
ACT | $95 |
NT | $53 |
Tier | Bronze Hospital |
National | $106 |
NSW | $112 |
VIC | $118 |
QLD | $118 |
SA | $112 |
WA | $90 |
TAS | $114 |
ACT | $112 |
NT | $70 |
Tier | Silver Hospital |
National | $175 |
NSW | $186 |
VIC | $196 |
QLD | $193 |
SA | $177 |
WA | $159 |
TAS | $182 |
ACT | $185 |
NT | $118 |
Tier | Gold Hospital |
National | $306 |
NSW | $331 |
VIC | $358 |
QLD | $348 |
SA | $292 |
WA | $283 |
TAS | $312 |
ACT | $332 |
NT | $193 |
Tier | Extras cover |
National | $58 |
NSW | $61 |
VIC | $60 |
QLD | $59 |
SA | $59 |
WA | $57 |
TAS | $55 |
ACT | $61 |
NT | $52 |
| Tier | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Hospital | $88 | $96 | $197 | $100 | $93 | $76 | $95 | $95 | $53 |
Bronze Hospital | $106 | $112 | $118 | $118 | $112 | $90 | $114 | $112 | $70 |
Silver Hospital | $175 | $186 | $196 | $193 | $177 | $159 | $182 | $185 | $118 |
Gold Hospital | $306 | $331 | $358 | $348 | $292 | $283 | $312 | $332 | $193 |
Extras cover | $58 | $61 | $60 | $59 | $59 | $57 | $55 | $61 | $52 |
Average health insurance cost for couples
Tier | Basic Hospital |
|---|---|
National | $175 |
NSW | $191 |
VIC | $192 |
QLD | $191 |
SA | $185 |
WA | $151 |
TAS | $190 |
ACT | $191 |
NT | $106 |
Tier | Bronze Hospital |
National | $211 |
NSW | $224 |
VIC | $234 |
QLD | $230 |
SA | $224 |
WA | $181 |
TAS | $228 |
ACT | $224 |
NT | $140 |
Tier | Silver Hospital |
National | $348 |
NSW | $366 |
VIC | $388 |
QLD | $401 |
SA | $350 |
WA | $315 |
TAS | $361 |
ACT | $366 |
NT | $235 |
Tier | Gold Hospital |
National | $592 |
NSW | $637 |
VIC | $687 |
QLD | $696 |
SA | $567 |
WA | $535 |
TAS | $603 |
ACT | $637 |
NT | $371 |
Tier | Extras cover |
National | $115 |
NSW | $121 |
VIC | $118 |
QLD | $116 |
SA | $116 |
WA | $113 |
TAS | $108 |
ACT | $121 |
NT | $103 |
| Tier | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Hospital | $175 | $191 | $192 | $191 | $185 | $151 | $190 | $191 | $106 |
Bronze Hospital | $211 | $224 | $234 | $230 | $224 | $181 | $228 | $224 | $140 |
Silver Hospital | $348 | $366 | $388 | $401 | $350 | $315 | $361 | $366 | $235 |
Gold Hospital | $592 | $637 | $687 | $696 | $567 | $535 | $603 | $637 | $371 |
Extras cover | $115 | $121 | $118 | $116 | $116 | $113 | $108 | $121 | $103 |
Average health insurance cost for families
Tier | Basic Hospital |
|---|---|
National | $180 |
NSW | $195 |
VIC | $197 |
QLD | $203 |
SA | $190 |
WA | $154 |
TAS | $194 |
ACT | $195 |
NT | $108 |
Tier | Bronze Hospital |
National | $215 |
NSW | $228 |
VIC | $239 |
QLD | $240 |
SA | $229 |
WA | $184 |
TAS | $232 |
ACT | $228 |
NT | $214 |
Tier | Silver Hospital |
National | $351 |
NSW | $373 |
VIC | $395 |
QLD | $389 |
SA | $356 |
WA | $321 |
TAS | $367 |
ACT | $373 |
NT | $239 |
Tier | Gold Hospital |
National | $606 |
NSW | $656 |
VIC | $708 |
QLD | $688 |
SA | $583 |
WA | $551 |
TAS | $621 |
ACT | $656 |
NT | $382 |
Tier | Extras cover |
National | $125 |
NSW | $132 |
VIC | $129 |
QLD | $126 |
SA | $127 |
WA | $123 |
TAS | $118 |
ACT | $132 |
NT | $112 |
| Tier | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Hospital | $180 | $195 | $197 | $203 | $190 | $154 | $194 | $195 | $108 |
Bronze Hospital | $215 | $228 | $239 | $240 | $229 | $184 | $232 | $228 | $214 |
Silver Hospital | $351 | $373 | $395 | $389 | $356 | $321 | $367 | $373 | $239 |
Gold Hospital | $606 | $656 | $708 | $688 | $583 | $551 | $621 | $656 | $382 |
Extras cover | $125 | $132 | $129 | $126 | $127 | $123 | $118 | $132 | $112 |
A recent Money.com.au survey revealed that 80% of Australians without private health insurance see cost as the biggest barrier to getting cover. Among those who do have health insurance, 14% say their monthly premiums are the bills they dread most. Half of all respondents believe making private health insurance more affordable is one of the most urgent improvements needed in Australia’s healthcare system.
Factors that affect health insurance costs
Type of policy (Hospital-only, Extras-only or both)
Hospital-only cover is usually more expensive than Extras-only. Choosing both increases your premium but gives broader coverage. The more comprehensive your cover, the more you’ll pay, but it can reduce your out-of-pocket costs when you need treatment.
Who’s on the policy?
Policies for couples, families or single parents generally cost more than singles cover because they include multiple people. Adding dependants increases premiums, though some insurers allow children to stay on a family policy up to the age of 31.
Age
Health funds must charge the same premium regardless of age. However, people aged 18–29 may receive age-based discounts on eligible Hospital policies, while older Australians aged 65 and over may receive a higher private health insurance rebate if they meet the income thresholds.
Lifetime health cover (LHC) loading
If you take out Hospital cover after 1 July following your 31st birthday, a 2% loading is added to your premium for every year you delay. This Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading can increase your premium by up to 70% and lasts for 10 years.
Location
Health insurance prices can vary by state or territory. Some regions have higher hospital costs or more limited provider networks, which insurers factor into premiums. Metropolitan areas may have more competition, while rural areas might see higher prices for similar cover.
Excess
Choosing a higher excess – the amount you agree to pay when claiming – usually lowers your monthly premium. A lower excess gives you more cover upfront but increases your monthly premium. It's a trade-off between affordability and out-of-pocket expenses.
Provider networks
Some insurers have agreements with specific hospitals or Extras providers. Using in-network providers can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Policies with broader or unrestricted provider access may come with higher premiums due to greater flexibility and convenience.
Sign-up offers
Many insurers offer discounts, waived waiting periods, or free weeks to attract new members. These sign-up deals can reduce your upfront costs, but most are time-limited and may not apply after the first few months or year of the policy.
Income
The private health insurance rebate reduces your premium if you earn under a certain income threshold. Higher-income earners receive a smaller rebate or none at all. The rebate is applied directly to your premium or claimed through your tax return.
We asked Australians whether they had increased their health insurance excess (co-payment) in the past 12 months to lower their premiums. Almost three-quarters of respondents (73.1%) said they kept their excess the same, while 16.6% increased it to make their premiums cheaper. Meanwhile, 10.3% reported that they didn’t know they could adjust their excess.
Health insurance costs rose by average of 4.41% in 2026
The average private health premium increase in 2026 was 4.41%, with prices changes kicking in from 1 April. It was the biggest premium increase in almost a decade and was largely blamed on rising healthcare costs.
Money.com.au’s analysis shows the average premium rose by around $144 for combined Hospital and Extras policy for singles. Families saw their annual premiums increase by $216 on average.
However, as usual, different funds increased their prices at different rates:
Funds with largest average premium increases in 2026
- AIA Health Insurance +5.98%
- NIB +5.47%
- Medibank +5.1%
- HCF +4.96%
- BUPA +4.8%
Funds with smallest average premium increases in 2026
- GMHBA +1.98%
- HBF +2.15%
- Police Health (restricted) +2.53%
- HIF +2.6%
- Navy Health (restricted) +2.88%
Fund-by-fund premium increases for 2026
| Health fund | Membership type | Fund type | Average premium increase |
|---|---|---|---|
AIA Health Insurance | Open | For-profit | +5.98% |
NIB | Open | For-profit | +5.47% |
Medibank Private | Open | For-profit | +5.1% |
HCF | Open | Not-for-profit | +4.96% |
BUPA | Open | For-profit | +4.8% |
HCI | Open | Not-for-profit | +4.53% |
Latrobe Health Services | Open | Not-for-profit | +4.53% |
ACA Health Benefits Fund | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +4.48% |
Mildura District Hospital Fund | Open | Not-for-profit | +4.25% |
St Luke's | Open | Not-for-profit | +4.25% |
Reserve Bank Health Society | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +4.13% |
Peoplecare Health | Open | Not-for-profit | +4.01% |
Australian Unity Health | Open | For-profit | +3.98% |
Health Partners | Open | Not-for-profit | +3.94% |
Teachers Federation Health | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +3.94% |
Cessnock District Health Benefits Fund | Open | Not-for-profitNot-for-profit | +3.92% |
Doctors' Health Fund | Restricted | For-profit | +3.67% |
Westfund | Open | Not-for-profit | +3.26% |
CBHS Corporate Health Pty | Open | For-profit | +3.25% |
CBHS Health Fund | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +3.25% |
Defence Health | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +2.99% |
National Health Benefits Australia | Open | For-profit | +2.96% |
Phoenix Health Fund | Open | Not-for-profit | +2.95% |
Navy Health | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +2.88% |
Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) | Open | Not-for-profit | +2.6% |
Police Health | Restricted | Not-for-profit | +2.53% |
HBF Health | Open | Not-for-profit | +2.15% |
GMHBA | Open | Not-for-profit | +1.98% |
How the Private Health Insurance Rebate can reduce your costs
The Australian Government offers a private health insurance rebate to make premiums more affordable for eligible individuals and families. The rebate amount depends on your income, age and family status.
Below are the private health insurance rebate tiers for premiums paid between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026:
Private Health Insurance Rebate tiers for singles
Single income | $101,000 or less |
|---|---|
Rebate % |
|
Single income | 101,001 - $118,000 |
Rebate % |
|
Single income | $118,001 - $158,000 |
Rebate % |
|
Single income | $158,001+ |
Rebate % | Not eligible |
| Single income | Rebate % |
|---|---|
$101,000 or less |
|
101,001 - $118,000 |
|
$118,001 - $158,000 |
|
$158,001+ | Not eligible |
Private Health Insurance Rebate tiers for families
Family income | $202,000 or less |
|---|---|
Rebate % |
|
Family income | $202,001 - $236,000 |
Rebate % |
|
Family income | $236,001 - $316,000 |
Rebate % |
|
Family income | $316,001+ |
Rebate % | Not eligible |
| Family income | Rebate % |
|---|---|
$202,000 or less |
|
$202,001 - $236,000 |
|
$236,001 - $316,000 |
|
$316,001+ | Not eligible |
Which is the cheapest health insurance in Australia?
The cheapest private health insurance policies are generally Basic Hospital cover or “Basic – Accident Only” policies. These meet the legal requirements for private health cover but offer limited benefits – usually only covering treatment as a private patient after an accident or in a restricted range of services.
For Extras, the most affordable options are low-tier policies that cover only a small number of services, such as general dental, optical or physio. These plans typically come with lower annual limits and fewer inclusions, but they can suit people looking for minimal cover at a lower cost.
Remember, though, that the cheapest policy is not always going to offer the best health cover for your needs. What the policy actually covers is vitally important.
Cost of health insurance between providers
The table shows some of the cheapest health insurance policies from a range of health funds. Keep in mind the costs are for a couple in NSW earning $202,000 or less per year with a $750 excess.
Health fund | ahm |
|---|---|
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | Frank Health Insurance |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | HBF |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | Medibank |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | nib |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | Bupa |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | HCF |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | GMHBA |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | Health Partners |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
Health fund | HIF |
Hospital policy cost per month |
|
Extras policy cost per month |
|
| Health fund | Hospital policy cost per month | Extras policy cost per month |
|---|---|---|
ahm |
|
|
Frank Health Insurance |
|
|
HBF |
|
|
Medibank |
|
|
nib |
|
|
Bupa |
|
|
HCF |
|
|
GMHBA |
|
|
Health Partners |
|
|
HIF |
|
|
Weighing up cost against cover
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager – Health Insurance at Money.com.au
“Cost is often the first thing people consider when choosing health insurance, but the true value comes from the balance between price and meaningful coverage. Paying a bit more in premiums can save significant expenses and stress down the track when unexpected health issues arise. You also need to consider the big moments in life – whether pregnancy is on the cards, a joint replacement, or cataract surgery.”
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager – Health Insurance at Money.com.au
The changing costs of health insurance – one family’s story
Money.com.au’s Senior Finance Writer, Jared Mullane, shares his personal experience with private health insurance premiums over the years.
Years ago, my partner and I had a couples policy covering both Hospital and Extras. Our main goal? To dodge the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and claim a few basic benefits on general dental and optical. Nothing fancy – just the essentials. Our premiums were pretty modest, around $160 a month.
How to reduce the cost of private health insurance
Choose a higher excess
Choosing a higher excess – the amount you pay if you're admitted to hospital – can significantly reduce your monthly premium. Most health funds offer standard excess options such as $500 or $750 for singles (or up to $1,500 for couples and families). Just be sure to pick an amount you could comfortably afford to pay if you need to make a hospital claim.
Pick a health fund with “no-gap” arrangements
Some health funds have no-gap or known-gap schemes with certain doctors and hospitals. This means you won’t be left with unexpected out-of-pocket costs for in-hospital treatments, helping you get better value from your cover.
Look for funds with strong provider networks in your area
Choosing a health fund with a wide network of hospitals and Extras providers near you can mean no or low gap fees – especially for common services like dental, physio and optical.
Don’t be afraid to switch funds
If your current policy no longer meets your needs or seems too expensive, shop around. Many funds offer sign-up deals, and switching is easier than most people think. Plus, you won’t have to re-serve waiting periods for the same level of cover.
Review and tailor your policy regularly
Your health needs change over time, and so should your cover. Remove any Extras or Hospital services you no longer need, or downgrade tiers if you’re no longer using high-level cover – it could save you hundreds each year.
Is it cheaper to pay your health insurance premiums annually?
A common money-saving hack for health insurance is to pay your premiums annually. But is it true?
Well, generally it does work out cheaper to pay your health insurance premiums annually instead of monthly, but timing is key. This is because health funds typically increase their premiums each year on 1 April to reflect the rising costs of healthcare. Paying in advance means you’re locking in the current premium for a full year, before the increase kicks in.
The best way to take advantage of this method is by timing the annual payments to just before the premiums rise. That way you’re getting a full year of cover at the lower rate. Paying annually later in the year will dilute the savings.
There are other benefits to paying in advance like only having one payment to factor in when budgeting as well as the potential for discounts from health insurance funds including NIB and HBF.
The table below gives an example of the money that policyholders could have saved this year by paying their premiums for the entire year by 31 March.
| Annual premium pre 1 April | New premium (+4.41%) | Saving with prepaid annual premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
Average silver combined family policy | $5,690 | $5,941 | $251 |
Average silver hospital family policy | $3,180 | $3,320 | $140 |
