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Our experts can help you get a better deal on single parent health insurance.
Compare single parent policies in under 2 minutes, for free
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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.*
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Single parent health insurance is a type of policy provided by health funds for single parents and their child(ren). Unlike family health insurance, which usually covers two parents and children, this policy covers you and your little one(s) under one plan.
Though it differs in who it covers, single parent health insurance essentially works the same as other forms of private health insurance. You and your children typically have access to a variety of health benefits, such as receiving treatment as private patients and covering gap payments for dental care.
The only real difference is that single parent health insurance is generally a little cheaper than a standard family policy, as it covers only you and your dependents.
In Australia, millions of people are covered by some form of health insurance, but only about 5% of policyholders have single-parent Hospital cover. The majority are on family policies, with the rest split between couple and single policies, according to the most recent health insurance statistics.
According to the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (PHIIA), single parent policies saw the fastest growth in 2024–25, rising by 26.7%.
Single parent health insurance comes in three types: Hospital-only, Extras-only or combined Hospital and Extras cover. All members included on the policy will have the same type of coverage, and you have the flexibility to choose the level of cover that best suits your family’s needs and circumstances.
A recent Money.com.au survey found that 18% of parents had Hospital cover, 13% had Extras, and 69% had both.
A Hospital policy gives you the option to have you and your kids treated as private patients in a public or private hospital. For example, it can help cover expenses for surgeries, including medical costs, as well as related costs like accommodation, transport and meals during a hospital stay.
You can choose the level of cover that suits your family’s needs (Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold), with varying inclusions and coverage levels depending on the plan you select. With a single parent Hospital policy, you and your children will all be covered under the same level of cover.
If you want coverage for common childhood procedures, such as tonsillectomies, adenoid removal and grommets, you’ll typically need to choose a Bronze level of cover or higher. Most Hospital policies include emergency ambulance transport, and higher tiers may cover additional treatments like dental care for wisdom teeth removal if your kids are teenagers.
An Extras policy provides coverage for a range of out-of-hospital treatments and expenses, such as dental, optical, physiotherapy and more. Similar to Hospital cover, the inclusions and limits depend on the level of Extras cover you choose.
Coverage under Extras policies isn’t as clearly defined as Hospital cover, so it’s important to carefully review what is specifically covered and the limits for each service when comparing policies for your loved ones.
With Extras cover, you generally can’t choose different inclusions for each of your children, and there will be limits for each treatment, either per person or as a total family limit. For example, you might have an annual limit of $500 for general dental or a $1,200 lifetime limit for orthodontics, depending on the policy.
Health insurance can cover a wide range of medical benefits, depending on the policy. Here are some key services and treatments that are particularly important for single parents to have coverage for:
Ambulance services are covered when you and your kid(s) need immediate medical attention and can’t be transported by any other means. Ambulance cover is typically included in any health insurance policy (Hospital or Extras cover), regardless of the level of coverage. If you’re in Queensland or Tasmania, you’re already covered by state-based ambulance schemes.
General dental coverage is essential for maintaining oral health, including regular check-ups, cleanings, and preventative care. For single parents, having an Extras policy that covers dental care for both you and your kids can help manage the cost of routine visits and avoid unexpected expenses, otherwise known as ‘gap payments’. General dental usually has a two-month waiting period, with coverage limits that apply either annually or per person listed on your policy.
If you or your children need prescription glasses or contact lenses, most Extras policies cover optical services prescribed by an optometrist, including frames, prescription lenses, contact lenses, and certain lens coatings. There is usually a two-month waiting period, and your policy will likely have an annual limit per person, with Basic and Bronze plans offering lower limits and Silver and Gold plans providing higher limits.
Most Extras policies, Bronze or above, cover orthodontic treatment, such as braces, for both children and adults. This coverage typically includes consultations, x-rays, and the cost of braces or aligners. However, there is usually a 12-month waiting period before you can claim, and policies often have annual or lifetime limits depending on the plan. Basic and Bronze plans usually offer lower limits, while Silver and Gold plans provide higher coverage.
Can help cover costs related to treatment of tonsils, adenoids and grommets as a private patient in either a public or private hospital. These conditions are typically associated with young children, though they can also affect teenagers and adults in some cases. Most Hospital policies impose a two-month waiting period before making any claims.
Some Extras policies, typically Silver or Gold, cover speech therapy for infants, children, and adolescents with communication, feeding or swallowing difficulties. This coverage usually includes assessments and treatment sessions with a qualified speech pathologist. A two-month waiting period normally applies before you can claim, and policies often have annual limits per person.
If you or your child has an accident, some health funds, like Bupa and Medibank, offer an ‘Accident Benefit’ to help cover out-of-pocket treatment costs, even if your policy doesn’t typically cover it (up to a limit). This benefit may provide immediate coverage for hospital treatments by waiving the waiting period, so long as you meet the health fund’s criteria. Be sure to check the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and read the fine print to check if accident coverage is included.
The cost of single parent health insurance typically ranges from $174 to $541 per month for hospital cover, based on Money.com.au analysis. For extras cover, the average monthly cost is $124.
The actual price depends on factors like the level of cover you choose, your income, age, and the state or territory you live in. Your income and age will also impact the private health insurance rebate you’re eligible for. The provider you select can affect the price, so it’s worth shopping around, especially for Extras cover, where policies can vary widely between providers.
Another factor is the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading, which adds a 2% increase on your Hospital cover premium for each year you go without after age 31. If you don't have private Hospital cover from the year you turn 31 and later decide to get it, you'll pay the 2% loading for up to 10 years.
Premiums for single parent health insurance can be expensive, but one of the benefits of private health insurance is that there are various government incentives available to help reduce the cost, if you're eligible.
Here are some examples to give an idea of the potential cost of single parent health insurance based on quotes from some of Australia's largest health funds.
The table below shows the cost of health insurance for a single parent (aged 35), living in NSW, with a household income under $202,000. The cover is for each provider’s most basic level of Hospital cover and a medium level of Extras, covering at least emergency ambulance, general and major dental, optical, and physio.
Provider | Medibank |
|---|---|
Basic Hospital (per month) | $129.47 (Basic Plus Select) |
Extras (per month) | $46.26 (Essential Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $175.73 (Basic Plus Select & Essential Extras) |
Provider | HBF |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $127.65 (Basic Hospital Accident Only) |
Extras (per month) | $62.15 (Flex 50) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $189.80 (Basic Hospital Accident Only & Flex 50) |
Provider | HCF |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $132.40 (Hospital Basic Plus) |
Extras (per month) | $58.07 (Mid Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $190.47 (Hospital Basic Plus & Mid Extras) |
Provider | Bupa |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $134.31 (Basic Accident Only Hospital) |
Extras (per month) | $61.06 (Freedom 60 Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $195.37 (Basic Accident Only Hospital with Freedom 60 Extras) |
Provider | GMHBA |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $141.80 (Accident Only Hospital Basic) |
Extras (per month) | $54.50 (Starter Boost) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $196.30 (Accident Only Hospital Basic & Starter Boost Extras) |
Provider | nib |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $136.99 (Basic Accident Hospital) |
Extras (per month) | $62.57 (Core Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $199.56 (Basic Accident Hospital & Core Extras) |
Provider | Australian Unity |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $171.29 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus) |
Extras (per month) | $70.75 (Focus Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $242.04 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus & Focus Extras) |
| Provider | Basic Hospital (per month) | Extras (per month) | Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
Medibank | $129.47 (Basic Plus Select) | $46.26 (Essential Extras) | $175.73 (Basic Plus Select & Essential Extras) |
HBF | $127.65 (Basic Hospital Accident Only) | $62.15 (Flex 50) | $189.80 (Basic Hospital Accident Only & Flex 50) |
HCF | $132.40 (Hospital Basic Plus) | $58.07 (Mid Extras) | $190.47 (Hospital Basic Plus & Mid Extras) |
Bupa | $134.31 (Basic Accident Only Hospital) | $61.06 (Freedom 60 Extras) | $195.37 (Basic Accident Only Hospital with Freedom 60 Extras) |
GMHBA | $141.80 (Accident Only Hospital Basic) | $54.50 (Starter Boost) | $196.30 (Accident Only Hospital Basic & Starter Boost Extras) |
nib | $136.99 (Basic Accident Hospital) | $62.57 (Core Extras) | $199.56 (Basic Accident Hospital & Core Extras) |
Australian Unity | $171.29 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus) | $70.75 (Focus Extras) | $242.04 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus & Focus Extras) |
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance at Money.com.au
“Most insurers have preferred healthcare providers with special contracts and agreed prices. Using these providers helps reduce your out-of-pocket costs for services like dental, physio, and chiro. For example, if a dentist charges $190 for a clean, you might only get $140 back if you don’t use a preferred provider. However, using a preferred provider could mean you pay nothing out-of-pocket. Overall, using the insurer’s network gives you better prices and helps you maximise your annual service limits.”
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance at Money.com.au
Health insurance coverage typically comes in four tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Insurers may use different names for their products, which can be confusing, but you should be able to see what’s covered and the limits for each benefit. For example, if you plan to claim dental check-ups and cleans for your child(ren), check that the coverage is adequate.
While Basic premiums are appealing, it’s essential to also consider potential out-of-pocket costs. Choose a policy with low excess fees and co-payments for services your children are likely to need, like doctor visits or specialist consultations, so you're not hit with unexpected expenses. Keep in mind that a lower excess will usually mean you’ll pay more for premiums.
Most policies have annual limits and waiting periods for treatments. As a single parent, it’s important to ensure your policy provides enough coverage for your child’s health needs for key services like dental care or specialist appointments. Some insurers even waive waiting periods on certain Extras benefits to encourage people to switch.
Some health funds offer discounts for signing up, such as free weeks of cover, account credits, gift cards, no-gap offers and more. Additional perks may include discounts or exclusive deals for bundling your health insurance with other products like car insurance, travel insurance or home insurance.
Note: Children can be covered under a single parent health insurance policy by being added as dependents on the parent’s plan. Most insurers allow children to remain covered until they turn 31, as long as they meet the criteria for dependents, such as being full-time students and not married or in a de facto relationship.
You typically won’t be able to take out children-only health insurance, as it would essentially be considered singles cover. Instead, children are usually added to a single parent's policy as dependents, and they’ll be covered under the same level of coverage as the parent.
This allows the parent to manage the health insurance for both themselves and their children under one plan, with the option to adjust coverage based on the family’s needs.
Yes, single parent health insurance policies can include both Hospital and Extras cover. Hospital cover assists with in-patient treatments, while Extras cover provides benefits for services like dental, optical and physiotherapy. Policies can be tailored to suit the specific needs of the parent and children.
Yes. If your circumstances change, such as through divorce or separation, you can switch from a family policy to a single parent policy. It's important to compare different policies to ensure the new plan meets your healthcare needs and to check for any waiting periods or changes in coverage.
You and your children may be able to stay on your ex-partner's health insurance policy if you're listed as a dependent or spouse. However, this depends on the insurer's terms and conditions, as well as the arrangement you have with your ex-partner.
No, your child(ren) won’t be covered under a singles health insurance policy, as it's designed to cover only one individual. To include your children, you’ll need to take out either family or single parent health cover, which allows you to add dependents to your policy.
Yes, health insurance for single parents is usually more expensive than a singles policy because it covers more people. Our analysis also showed that single parent health insurance is only slightly cheaper than a standard family policy that covers two adults and children.
Yes, the private health insurance rebate is available to individuals and families, including single parents, based on income and age. The rebate is provided by the government to help reduce the cost of premiums. The rebate is available in the following tiers:
| Family income per household | 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+ |
Single parent health insurance policies are designed to cover one adult and their dependent children. Premiums are typically lower than those for two-parent family policies but higher than singles cover. Adding more children usually doesn't increase the premium, as many policies allow multiple dependents under a single plan.
Most childhood vaccinations are provided free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for Medicare-eligible children. However, some Extras policies may cover additional vaccinations not included in the NIP, such as travel vaccines, depending on the insurer and level of cover.
Many private health insurance policies, including those for single parents, offer Extras cover that includes therapies beneficial for children with autism, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology services. Coverage varies by insurer and policy, so it's important to review the specifics of each plan.
Yes, adopted children can typically be added to a single parent health insurance policy once the adoption is legally finalised. For foster children, coverage depends on the insurer's policies and the legal guardianship arrangements. It's best to consult with the insurer directly to understand their specific requirements.
Single parents are subject to the family income thresholds for the private health insurance rebate. For each dependent child after the first, the income threshold increases by $1,500, potentially making more single-parent families eligible for higher rebate percentages.
Dependents can typically remain on a single parent health insurance policy until they turn 22. After this age limit, your children may be covered up to 31 years of age, provided they are not married or in a de facto relationship.
When adding a newborn to your policy, if you notify your insurer within a specified period (often two to three months), the child may be covered from birth without additional waiting periods.
Single parents can reduce health insurance costs by comparing different policies to find the best value cover, selecting cover that matches their specific needs, and taking advantage of government rebates. Regularly reviewing and adjusting the policy as circumstances change can also help manage expenses.
Most single parent policies allow you to cover multiple dependent children under one policy without increasing your premium. There’s usually no set limit on the number of children, but they must meet the insurer’s definition of a dependent – typically under 21, or up to 31 if certain provider conditions are met.
Yes, many health insurers allow dependent children to be covered even if they live at a different address, such as with a shared parenting arrangement or while studying away from home. Policies vary, so it's best to confirm with your health fund to ensure continuous cover applies.
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.
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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.
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