While it's great to get a deal when signing up to a new health insurance policy, the most important thing is that you get the right cover for your needs. Don't be tempted to sign up with a provider or policy that isn't right for you just because it has a great discount. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when comparing health insurance offers.
Do's:
Make sure the policy you've picked is right for you and your needs.
Be sure that you can pay your premiums after any free period.
Remember to consider the ongoing member benefits of any health insurance brand that you're considering.
Do not's:
Don't buy a policy that doesn't suit your needs just because there's a great sign-up offer.
Make sure you check out the terms and conditions. For example, most sign-up offers require you to be a new customer to that provider.
Are these deals actually good?
Health insurance funds run promotions year-round, but you'll find some periods tend to be "hotter" than others. Let's go through some of the most common times of the year when health insurers go big with their deals:
The typical Australian health insurance deal cycle
Australian health funds follow a fairly predictable promotional calendar:
EOFY (May–June): This is the peak time of year where funds compete hardest, driven by MLS deadline pressure and end-of-financial-year spending mindset. Free cover periods tend to be at their longest and cashback offers at their highest during this period.
Post-April premium rise: Funds often try to soften the blow of their annual price increase with a promotional offer. While they are worth evaluating, keep in mind the deal is sometimes offset by the higher base premium you're now paying.
Year-end (November-December): Not as strong as EOFY but these deals are noticeably better than the mid-year lull.
Did you know?
Did you know 83% of Australians stayed with the same health insurer despite premiums rising by an average of 4.41%, according to Finder's 2026 Health Report? Just 40% review their policy every year, meaning many are missing out on better deals elsewhere. Comparing offers from other funds, including sign-up incentives and multi-policy discounts, is one of the simplest ways to make sure you're not paying more than you need to for the same cover.
Common types of health insurance sign-up deals
Health insurance sign-up deals change each month, but there are a few common types of offers you're likely to see.
Free cover period
One of the most common sign-up offers you'll see in health insurance is a number of weeks of free coverage. The amount of time is normally between 2 and 6 weeks. You'll sometimes need to be signed up for a minimum period of time (3 months, for example) before entering your free coverage period.
Waived waiting periods
Many providers will offer to waive some waiting periods on new policies, so that you can claim right away. This is especially common on extras policies. Most offers will waive 2 and 6 month waiting periods.
Bonus frequent flyer points
Health insurance providers associated with airline brands will offer bonus frequent flyer points for new sign-ups. To claim the full bonus you'll generally need to be on a high level of cover for a minimum number of months. Lower levels of cover will often give you a smaller number of points.
Health insurance member benefits
As well as sign-up deals, many health insurance brands all offer a range of ongoing member benefits and rewards, which you should be aware of. Here are some of the current health insurance offers available from Finder partners:
15% off laser eye surgery at Vision Eye Institute.
Save 10% on Medibank pet insurance.
Save 10% on Medibank life insurance and income protection.
15% off 12 and 18 month Platinum memberships at Fitness First.
15% off 12 and 18 month Platinum memberships at Goodlife Health Clubs.
Earn Live Better points when shopping with Specsavers.
Enjoy a range of benefits when shopping with OPSM.
Key offers:
Up to 12,000 Qantas Points with the Qantas Wellbeing App.
When shopping via Qantas Shopping:
7 Qantas Points per $1 spent on adidas products.
2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on rebel products.
4 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible Speedo gear.
7 Qantas Points per $1 spent at New Balance.
7 Qantas Points per $1 spent on Under Armour products.
1 Qantas Points per $1 spent on Apple products.
Key offers:
HCF Thank you membership program.
Up to 25% off travel insurance.
Up to 15% off pet insurance.
Discount on GP2U's standard rates.
Key offers:
$70 EFTPOS card every time you successfully refer a friend.
Key offers:
15% off nib travel insurance.
Access to nib Health Management Programs.
100% back on dental check-ups at nib Dental Care Centres.
4% off the price of health cover when paying by direct debit.
Discounts on a range of glasses, lenses and more.
Get up to 10% off any hospital covers if you're under 30.
Savings at Specsavers with discounts on a range of glasses and lens.
Key offers:
Redeem savings on everyday essentials.
Discounted e-gift cards from 100+ well known brands.
Enjoy great savings at 300 restaurants across Australia.
Access discounted cinema e-vouchers.
When you shop through Life Rewards.
Discounts on Bupa car, home, travel and pet insurance.
Key offers:
Wellness benefits.
Optical discounts.
Key offers:
Free AIA Vitality Health Check.
Quit smoking programs.
Nutrition consultations.
The AIA Vitality Apple Watch Benefit.
Up to 50% cash back on eligible domestic and international flights.
Spa benefit.
Up to 50% off movie vouchers.
Reduced premiums. Pay with direct debit and save 4% on your monthly premiums.
Table last updated April 2026.
Potential benefits of switching health insurance provider
Sign-up deals aren't just for people who are brand new to health insurance. Any of the current offers on this page are also available to people switching from one provider to another, so long as you're a new customer to the brand you're switching to. It's one of the three big benefits to switching health insurance providers regularly:
Sign-up deals
Health insurance sign-up deals are available to people switching providers, as long as you're a new customer to the fresh provider.
Quick and easy
Switching health insurance providers is easy - just sign up with the new provider. The new provider will sort it all out for you.
No extra waiting periods
Any waiting periods you've already served will transfer to your new provider, as long as the coverage level is the same.
How to switch your health insurance: a step-by-step guide
Switching your health insurance is actually a lot simpler than most people expect, and you won't lose the waiting periods you've already served.
Compare current deals: Use the table above to find the best offer available for your cover type and situation (single, couple, family). It's also a good idea to confirm you meet the deal requirements before you apply.
Apply with the new fund: Complete an application online. You may be able to consent to the new fund contacting your previous insurer to cancel your existing policy. To do this, they will request a "clearance certificate", which details your cover history, waiting periods served and claims.
Cancel your old policy: Once the new fund receives your clearance certificate, your old policy is typically cancelled automatically and your new health insurance policy is now active.
Frequently asked questions
Aussie health insurance providers regularly offer deals for new customers, with perks like 4 weeks of free cover, a waiver on 2- and 6-month waiting periods, or bonus frequenty flyer points. These deals change each month, so check our up-to-date list to see what's available now.
Switching health insurance policies is generally an easy process, often handled by your new insurer. Once you sign up with your new insurer, they will contact your old insurer to cancel your policy and obtain a transfer certificate. When the paperwork is cleared, your new cover date will start with your new insurer.
Most funds run their biggest promotions during three windows: EOFY (May–June), the weeks after the annual April premium rise and November–December. Outside these periods, deals are thinner and less competitive. If you're not in a rush, timing your switch around one of these peaks can get you more value out of your cover.
Some deals require a minimum 12-month commitment, which is why it's important to always check the terms before signing up. The eligibility section under each deal in our comparison table flags minimum duration requirements so you can compare like for like.
Most promotional offers are open to both new customers and people switching from another fund.
A free cover period means the fund waives your premiums for a set number of weeks, typically between 4 and 14 weeks, after you sign up. You're fully covered during that time; you just don't pay. The free period usually applies after any applicable waiting periods are served.
While this does depend on what you consider a 'good deal', the EOFY is generally the most competitive promotional period for health insurance. Funds tend to run their longest free cover periods and highest cashback amounts during May and June, as many Aussies opt to take out hospital cover to avoid the MLS.
Yes, health insurance deals can be used when switching providers, you don't need to be brand new to health insurance. Generally the only restriction is that you'll need to be considered a new customer by the fund you're signing up to. Learn more about getting a great deal when switching providers.
Sometimes, you can take advantage of additional discounts:
Corporate policies. Check with your employer to see if they offer corporate health insurance. Corporate sector discounts of up to 12% are often granted by health funds, which are then passed onto employees in the form of cheaper policies.
Family policies. Many health funds offer incentives for families, such as no hospital admission excess for children, no-gap dental and allowing you to keep your child on your policy until they turn 25 (if they are studying full time).
Single parent policies. Health funds have been allowed to provide single parents with a reduced premium compared to the family rate since 2007. If your fund does not offer a reduced rate, consider moving to another fund that does.
Annual and direct debit discounts. Look for a fund that rewards you for prepaying your premiums or having them direct debited out of your account.
Lots of health insurance brands offer discounts for paying your premiums by direct debit, or for paying for a full year in advance. The following table lists several Australian health insurance providers who do.
4%
n/a
4%
n/a
4%
n/a
n/a
Annual: 2.5%
2%
n/a
3%
n/a
n/a
Annual: 4%
Bi-annual: 2%
2.5%
n/a
n/a
Annual: 4%
Bi-annual: 2%
4%
n/a
Sources
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by
Angus Kidman
as part of our
fact-checking process.
Ceyda Erem is Finder’s senior writer for insurance and has almost 10 years of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a copywriter for several business and finance clients, Ceyda has written hundreds of articles, guides, blogs and more to ensure Australians stay in the loop about how to best manage their money. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Writing from Macquarie University.
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Ceyda
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Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards.
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