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MoneyPrivate health cover can be confusing and expensive. Our insurance experts are here to help you with clear, unbiased advice and smart money-saving tips.
Do you need health insurance?
Work out if paying for private health insurance is the right move for you.
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Should you drop extras health insurance?
Private health insurance is increasingly expensive and your extras health insurance may not be giving you value for money. -
How much will your anaesthesia cost?
Understand anaesthesia bills and gap fees (without falling asleep). -
Health insurance for wisdom teeth and dental surgery
How to avoid large out-of-pocket costs for your wisdom teeth surgery. -
How to avoid out-of-pocket healthcare costs
Tips on how to get cheaper health care and negotiating with your surgeon. -
How to access free or more affordable mental health care
Australians can get up to 10 free counselling sessions through Medicare, or get rebates through their private health insurance. -
6 health insurance questions for under 30s answered
Is it worth getting private health insurance when you're still young? -
How you can pay the Lifetime health Cover loading and be better off
Is there really a 'deadline' to buy health insurance after you turn 31? Here's what you need to know. -
Will private health insurance save you money?
We look at whether private health insurance will save you money at tax time. -
Do you need health insurance for ambulance cover?
Even if you're young and healthy, you might still want ambulance cover – we talk through the options. -
Cheapest Basic health insurance policies to save on tax
These policies from HCF, HBF, Westfund, AIA and HCI will save you money, but don't rely on them for health cover. -
Lifetime health cover for migrants
You'll pay a price if you take out health insurance too late.
Choose and compare health insurance
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Find health insurance savings
Looking for cover that's better value? We've built a tool that allows you to compare thousands of health insurance policies.
Our experts rate policies based on out-of-pocket costs, fund complaints, price and more – and we're 100% independent, which means we don't show sponsored results like other comparison sites. We show you all the funds – big and small, member-owned and nonprofit – to help you find the best.
Review, switch and save
How to review your health cover and save money.
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Sky-high increases to the cost of health insurance hitting Australians hard
Health insurers HBF and HCF raised prices of some premiums by 15%. -
Insurers hiding soaring increases to top-level health cover
Some Australians are paying more than three times the headline premium increase for top-grade hospital insurance. -
The most expensive health insurance policies to avoid
If you hold one of these overpriced policies, it's time to switch. You could save yourself over $1500. -
Save up to $1870 by switching health insurance
Save money, time and confusion with our expert advice and policy comparison tool. -
How to downgrade your top cover health insurance and save $2000 or more
If you're paying for Gold cover you don't really need, you're spending thousands more than you have to on health insurance. -
Is your health insurance policy the best possible deal?
Thousands of great-value health insurance policies are only available for current members. -
5 steps to better, cheaper health insurance
Bupa, Medibank, HBF and NIB will increase premiums by more than the average on 1 April. -
How to get a discount on your health insurance
Some health funds offer discounts of up to 12% on your premium. -
How to switch your health insurance
Review your health cover, switch and save. -
'I saved $1800 by switching my private health insurance'
CHOICE writer Pru Engel didn't pay much attention to her health insurance payments... till she was about to get ripped off.
Buying guide
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What is private health insurance?
Get an overview of private health insurance in Australia, including how it works and when you should consider it. Our experts look at:
- • hospital cover and how it works
- • extras cover and how it works
- • taxes and other financial reasons to have cover
Avoid rip-off health cover
Did you know some Bronze policies cost more than Silver policies? Steer clear of these poor-value options.
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Health funds are charging single parents more to insure their kids
Two-parent families can often add their kids to their health insurance policy for free, but single parents may pay double. -
Is Basic health insurance for tax a waste of money?
Basic policies from Medibank, Bupa and HCF can help with tax, but are they value for money? -
Do you have one of these overpriced Bronze health cover policies?
Australia's most expensive Bronze health insurance policies. -
Dump these rip-off Silver Plus health insurance policies
Many Silver Plus hospital policies cost more than some Gold policies and provide less cover. -
Are you paying too much for Gold health insurance?
Dump these overpriced Gold policies and lock in better cover.
Finding the right cover
Our experts help you find the best health insurance for your stage of life.
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Cheapest Basic health insurance policies to save on tax
These policies from HCF, HBF, Westfund, AIA and HCI will save you money, but don't rely on them for health cover. -
Free health cover for young adults on a family policy
You can insure your adult children on your health insurance policy, but conditions apply. -
How to find the best health insurance for young and healthy singles and couples
Eager for extras or just want to avoid tax? Here's our guide to shopping for the best health cover. -
How to choose the best health insurance for single-parent families
Expert tips to help you find the best-value cover for you and your kids. -
How to find the best health insurance for families
Get useful tips for choosing the right health cover for your family. -
How to choose the best health insurance for seniors
Our insurance expert explains how to get the right cover for your needs and budget if you're 65 or over. -
Should you choose Gold, Silver or Bronze?
We help you decide which of the four health insurance tiers is best for your needs.
Will health insurance save you money at tax time?
Take our quiz and find out
Do I Need Health Insurance?
Extras insurance
Extras covers things outside hospital like optical, dental, orthodontics, physio, podiatry and psychology services.
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How to find the best extras health insurance policy
We look at what it covers and whether you really need it. -
Best extras health insurance policies for your budget
Our insurance experts find the best extras cover for families, seniors, singles and couples. -
How much does the dentist cost?
And is there anything you can do to reduce your dental costs? -
Tips to save money on extras insurance
How to get the best-value cover for extras like dental, optical and physio. -
Guide to buying orthodontic braces and aligners
There are lots of different options for braces, but a good practitioner is the key to success. -
Bad value extras health insurance
Is it worth paying for a top-shelf extras policy?
How the funds rate
Find out how our experts rate funds on out-of-pocket costs, fund complaints and more.
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The good and the bad of Medibank, Bupa, HBF, HCF and NIB
The five big health funds compared on complaints, discounts and cost. -
Private health insurance industry statistics at a glance
Australian health insurance numbers and trends at a glance. -
Australia's most complained about health insurers
We reveal the funds with the worst overall complaint ratings. -
Three things you might not know about small health insurers
Why it can pay to go with the fund you've never heard of.
Funds
We look at the ins and outs of over 40 private health insurers.
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AAMI
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
ACA
How ACA Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
AHM
How AHM rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
AIA
How AIA rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Apia
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Astute Simplicity Health
How St.LukesHealth rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Australian Seniors
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Australian Unity
How Australian Unity Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Bupa
How Bupa rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
CBHS Corporate Health
How CBHS Corporate Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
CBHS Health Fund
How CBHS rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Defence Health
How Defence Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Doctors' Health Fund
How Doctors' Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Emergency Services Health
How Emergency Services Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Frank
How Frank rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
GMHBA
How GMHBA rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
HBF
How HBF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
HCF
How HCF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Health Care Insurance
How Health Care Insurance rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Health Partners
How Health Partners rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
HIF
How HIF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Hunter Health Insurance
How Hunter Health Insurance rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
ING
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Latrobe Health Services
How Latrobe Health Services rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Medibank
How Medibank rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Mildura Health Fund
How Mildura Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Navy Health
How Navy Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
NIB
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Nurses & Midwives
How Nurses & Midwives Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Peoplecare
How Peoplecare rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Phoenix Health Fund
How Phoenix Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Police Health
How Police Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Priceline Health Insurance
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Qantas Insurance
How Qantas rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Queensland Country Health Fund
How Queensland Country Health Fund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Real Insurance
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
RT Health
How RT Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
see-u
How HBF rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
St.LukesHealth
How St.LukesHealth rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Suncorp
How NIB rates for member complaints, out-of-pocket costs and ambulance cover. -
Teachers Health
How Teachers Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Transport Health
How Transport Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
TUH Health
How TUH rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Uni Health
How Teachers Health rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance cover. -
Union Health
How TUH rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance. -
Westfund Health
How Westfund rates for member complaints, gap cover and ambulance.
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