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Health insurance costs are set to increase by an average of 4.41% on 1 April 2026. Beat the increase by comparing and switching today.
Our dedicated Health Insurance experts are here to help. Updated 19 Feb 2026.
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
Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer available when you join as a new member on an eligible 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
Plus, skip 2-month waiting periods on Extras. 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.*
4 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer available when you join as a new member on an eligible combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
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.*
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 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.*
The Federal Government has approved an average private health premium increase of 4.41% for 2026, with prices changing from 1 April this year. It’s the biggest premium increase in almost a deacde and is being blamed on rising healthcare costs.
Money.com.au’s analysis shows the average premium rise will add around $144 a year to the average combined Hospital and Extras policy for singles. Families will see their annual premiums increase by $216 on average. These estimates are based on an average combined single policy costing $3,264 a year and a combined family policy costing $4,908.
However, not all funds will increase premiums at the same rate:
| 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% |
The average private health insurance premiums in Australia are as follows:
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.
Tier | Basic Hospital |
|---|---|
National | $85 |
NSW | $92 |
VIC | $93 |
QLD | $96 |
SA | $90 |
WA | $73 |
TAS | $92 |
ACT | $90 |
NT | $52 |
Tier | Bronze Hospital |
National | $100 |
NSW | $106 |
VIC | $112 |
QLD | $112 |
SA | $106 |
WA | $87 |
TAS | $110 |
ACT | $109 |
NT | $69 |
Tier | Silver Hospital |
National | $169 |
NSW | $174 |
VIC | $187 |
QLD | $183 |
SA | $190 |
WA | $153 |
TAS | $175 |
ACT | $176 |
NT | $115 |
Tier | Gold Hospital |
National | $270 |
NSW | $292 |
VIC | $315 |
QLD | $306 |
SA | $259 |
WA | $247 |
TAS | $278 |
ACT | $292 |
NT | $173 |
Tier | Extras cover |
National | $57 |
NSW | $60 |
VIC | $58 |
QLD | $58 |
SA | $57 |
WA | $54 |
TAS | $54 |
ACT | $60 |
NT | $53 |
| Tier | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Hospital | $85 | $92 | $93 | $96 | $90 | $73 | $92 | $90 | $52 |
Bronze Hospital | $100 | $106 | $112 | $112 | $106 | $87 | $110 | $109 | $69 |
Silver Hospital | $169 | $174 | $187 | $183 | $190 | $153 | $175 | $176 | $115 |
Gold Hospital | $270 | $292 | $315 | $306 | $259 | $247 | $278 | $292 | $173 |
Extras cover | $57 | $60 | $58 | $58 | $57 | $54 | $54 | $60 | $53 |
Tier | Basic Hospital |
|---|---|
National | $169 |
NSW | $184 |
VIC | $189 |
QLD | $192 |
SA | $170 |
WA | $147 |
TAS | $185 |
ACT | $184 |
NT | $104 |
Tier | Bronze Hospital |
National | $208 |
NSW | $217 |
VIC | $236 |
QLD | $231 |
SA | $218 |
WA | $180 |
TAS | $225 |
ACT | $217 |
NT | $142 |
Tier | Silver Hospital |
National | $339 |
NSW | 354 |
VIC | $374 |
QLD | $368 |
SA | $340 |
WA | $318 |
TAS | $346 |
ACT | $354 |
NT | $255 |
Tier | Gold Hospital |
National | $525 |
NSW | $566 |
VIC | $610 |
QLD | $593 |
SA | $503 |
WA | $480 |
TAS | $548 |
ACT | $566 |
NT | $337 |
Tier | Extras cover |
National | $115 |
NSW | $120 |
VIC | $117 |
QLD | $115 |
SA | $127 |
WA | $116 |
TAS | $107 |
ACT | $120 |
NT | $101 |
| Tier | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Hospital | $169 | $184 | $189 | $192 | $170 | $147 | $185 | $184 | $104 |
Bronze Hospital | $208 | $217 | $236 | $231 | $218 | $180 | $225 | $217 | $142 |
Silver Hospital | $339 | 354 | $374 | $368 | $340 | $318 | $346 | $354 | $255 |
Gold Hospital | $525 | $566 | $610 | $593 | $503 | $480 | $548 | $566 | $337 |
Extras cover | $115 | $120 | $117 | $115 | $127 | $116 | $107 | $120 | $101 |
Tier | Basic Hospital |
|---|---|
National | $174 |
NSW | $188 |
VIC | $192 |
QLD | $198 |
SA | $184 |
WA | $150 |
TAS | $187 |
ACT | $188 |
NT | $105 |
Tier | Bronze Hospital |
National | $208 |
NSW | $215 |
VIC | $232 |
QLD | $236 |
SA | $221 |
WA | $175 |
TAS | $222 |
ACT | $215 |
NT | $151 |
Tier | Silver Hospital |
National | $341 |
NSW | $357 |
VIC | $378 |
QLD | $371 |
SA | $341 |
WA | $322 |
TAS | $344 |
ACT | $357 |
NT | $263 |
Tier | Gold Hospital |
National | $542 |
NSW | $579 |
VIC | $646 |
QLD | $607 |
SA | $526 |
WA | $501 |
TAS | $551 |
ACT | $579 |
NT | $346 |
Tier | Extras cover |
National | $124 |
NSW | $130 |
VIC | $127 |
QLD | $124 |
SA | $126 |
WA | $120 |
TAS | $116 |
ACT | $130 |
NT | $109 |
| Tier | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | TAS | ACT | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Hospital | $174 | $188 | $192 | $198 | $184 | $150 | $187 | $188 | $105 |
Bronze Hospital | $208 | $215 | $232 | $236 | $221 | $175 | $222 | $215 | $151 |
Silver Hospital | $341 | $357 | $378 | $371 | $341 | $322 | $344 | $357 | $263 |
Gold Hospital | $542 | $579 | $646 | $607 | $526 | $501 | $551 | $579 | $346 |
Extras cover | $124 | $130 | $127 | $124 | $126 | $120 | $116 | $130 | $109 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 July 2025 and 31 March 2026:
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 |
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 |
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.
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 |
|
|
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On average, singles pay $84.80–$270.26 per month for Hospital cover and $56.92 for Extras. Couples spend $169.25–$525.20 on Hospital cover and $115.05 on Extras, while families pay $174.23–$541.52 for Hospital cover and $123.69 for Extras, according to Money.com.au analysis.
The excludes the likes of Overseas Visitor Health Insurance, which is generally a more expensive form of cover that's required for some visas issues by the Australian Government.
On average, the Northern Territory has the lowest health insurance premiums in Australia across all tiers of Hospital cover (Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold) as well as Extras policies. This is based on Money.com.au analysis of Privatehealth.gov.au data, which shows consistently cheaper premiums in the NT compared to other states and territories.
Private health insurance premiums aren’t tax-deductible in Australia, but you may be eligible for a government rebate based on your income, age, and family status. This rebate can be applied as a discount on your premiums or claimed through your annual tax return.
Having eligible Hospital cover can also help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) – an extra tax of up to 1.5% of your income if you earn above a certain threshold and don’t have private hospital insurance. So while it’s not directly deductible, private health insurance can reduce your overall tax burden.
Premiums rise annually due to increasing healthcare costs, including medical technology, wages and the number of claims being made. Insurers adjust prices to continue covering these rising expenses.
Some health funds like Bupa allow you to temporarily suspend your policy, but only under specific circumstances – such as travelling overseas or experiencing financial hardship. This can help you save on premiums, but there are important conditions to be aware of.
To be eligible, you typically need to have held your cover for at least 12 months and be up to date with your payments. While your policy is suspended, you won’t pay premiums, but you also won’t be covered for any treatments or claims. You’ll also temporarily lose access to member benefits and online services.
Be aware: If your Hospital cover is suspended, you may be liable for the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) during that period – which could increase your tax bill if you’re a higher-income earner.
Importantly, if you've already served your waiting periods, you won’t need to re-serve them when your cover resumes. However, if you were mid-way through a waiting period, the countdown will simply pause and continue once your cover restarts.
Always check with your health fund for their specific rules and conditions before pausing your policy.
Waiting periods don’t change your premium, but they affect when you can claim. Choosing a policy with waived waiting periods (often offered in sign-up deals) can add value and reduce early out-of-pocket costs.
In most cases, the total cost is the same whether you pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annually. However, some insurers may offer minor incentives for certain payment methods, such as direct debit.
That said, many Australians choose to pay annually before 1 April, when health insurers typically increase their premiums. By prepaying for 12 months in advance, you can lock in the current premium and avoid the price hike – potentially saving money over the year.
Extras cover can help reduce out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services like dental, physio and optical. Whether it’s worth it depends on how often you use those services and how much you're claiming.
Even with cover, you may still have to pay for things like hospital excesses, specialist gaps, or services not included in your policy. Choosing a fund with no-gap arrangements can help minimise these costs.
Jared Mullane is a finance writer with more than a decade 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).
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.
Select the offer you're interested in to view full T&Cs.
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):
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