Health insurance with gym benefits

Health insurance policies with gym memberships

If you're looking to make the most out of your health insurance policy or need an excuse to get back in the gym, you may be able to claim a portion of your gym membership.

Depending on your insurer, activities such as yoga, Pilates, swimming or aqua aerobics and personal training sessions may also be covered. These are often listed under the diet and lifestyle benefit for extras cover.

Which health insurers offer health insurance gym membership coverage?

According to the Finder database, 27 health insurers allow you to claim back a portion of your gym membership, meanwhile 6 offer coverage for various health management or healthy living programs.

Here are some of the health insurers in our database who offer these:

• ahm gym membership rebates. Under the Lifestyle, Family and Super Extras, you'll be able to claim exercise classes, nutritionist consultations, weightloss programs, exercise physiology and more.
• Bupa gym membership rebates. Get back between 50% - 100% of your gym membership, depending on the level of cover you have. You'll also be able to claim back personal training sessions and other exercise programs as long as it addresses or improves a health or medication condition diagnosed by a professional.
• nib gym membership rebates. With nib's Extras Health Cover, you may be able to claim your gym membership, personal training sessions and weight management programs.
• HCF gym membership rebates. HCF's gym membership health benefit allows customers to claim a portion of the cost. You'll also be able to claim back on other activities and programs, such as weight management, the Health Weight for Life program for those with osteoarthritis and swimming lessons.

Here's the full list of insurers that offer some form of health benefit.

What do I need for a health insurance gym membership claim?

This will depend on your insurer's eligibility requirements. Though it's worth noting that under the Private Health Insurance Act, you will only be reimbursed or receive a benefit if your membership or fitness program is being used to treat an existing medical condition, not to maintain your general fitness.

The level of cover you receive will also come down to your insurer, the level of cover you have and your policy's benefit limits. To make a claim, you'll generally need the following:

• A referral from a GP or health professional.
• Receipts from your gym membership or fitness classes.
• A membership at a gym or fitness facility approved by your insurer.

"I have extras cover with AHM and I regularly claim my gym membership as part of my annual allowance. This particular cover allows you to claim extra benefits as part of its health improvement scheme. This is great for me as I regularly suffer with back pain. I had my health benefit form filled in by my doctor (which lasts for 2 years) and now I can claim up to my yearly benefit and receive money back off my gym membership."

Clare Lee

Finder crew member

How long are the waiting periods before I can access this benefit?

Like other benefits of your health insurance policy, your gym membership rebate is subject to waiting periods. How long you wait before this benefit kicks in will depend on your insurer, ranging from 2 to 6 months or even longer.

You can find your health insurer's waiting period by reading through your product disclosure statement (PDS) or contacting them directly.

What other health-related programs or activities are covered?

Aside from your annual gym membership, there are a range of health-related programs and services your health insurer may also cover.

Insurers want to encourage customers to maintain healthier lifestyles as it can reduce the likelihood of illnesses, which as a result, also reduces the likelihood of you making a claim. In March 2025, APRA noted that health insurers paid $1.78 billion in extras benefits, with dental, optical and physiotherapy being the largest paid categories.

Some of the health programs you may receive a rebate for include:

• Skin cancer screenings
• Nutritionalist programs
• Weight management programs
• Injury rehabilitation
• Exercise physiologist consultations
• Physiotherapy
• Quit smoking programs
• General health assessments

How much can you claim back?

This depends on your insurer and the level of cover you have with them. Some insurers will cover a percentage of your annual gym membership cost while others only offer a rebate up to a certain limit. Have a read through your PDS to see what your insurer is willing to offer.

It's also important to weigh up this health insurance benefit with the additional cost this may bring to your policy, as some health insurers may only allow you to claim back a few hundred dollars a year.

When is health insurance "worth it?"

If you manage a chronic illness where a gym membership or fitness activities would improve your quality of life, obtaining cover could be worth your while. Alternatively, if you're a regular at your Pilates studio or swimming facility, having the option to slash a few hundred dollars off your annual spend is not a bad idea.

How do I make a claim?

While every insurer will have their own claims process, you can generally expect the following:

1. Ensure your health insurance policy covers gym membership fees.
2. Get a referral from your general practitioner (GP) or health professional confirming a gym membership is necessary to manage your circumstances.
3. Select a gym listed in your insurer's approved list of gyms, facilities or studios.
4. Keep your invoices or receipts as proof of payment for your gym membership.
5. Fill out and submit a claim form for your health insurer, attaching all necessary documentation, such as your receipts and GP referral.
6. Your claim will be processed, and if approved, you will be reimbursed the amount stated on your policy.

When will my claim not be covered?

Exclusions or circumstances where a benefit would not be paid on this type of cover might include:

• If the gym or fitness centre is not approved by your insurer (some insurers require that you only attend facilities they have an agreement with).
• If the service was not medically necessary (many insurers require you to have a referral from a healthcare professional such as a GP, physiotherapist, chiropractor or specialist).
• If you hire a personal trainer or join a 24-hour fitness centre (some insurers don’t recognise these services).

How do I find the best health management benefit for my lifestyle?

There is no easy way to answer this, as this will come down to what you're looking for in a health insurance policy and your current health needs. That's why it's super important to shop around and compare deals on the market. Consider factors such as the policy's range of coverage, the total cost and available benefits.

Beyond gym membership rebates, you may also want to investigate other included perks, such as dental and optical care, physiotherapy, weightloss programs and more. What's the likelihood of you using them all? Remember to consider all the benefits that will make up your plan (and their cost) to ensure it's the right financial move for you.

You may also find many insurers offer incentives and discounts to attract new customers, allowing you to kickstart your new wellness journey on a high.

Frequently asked questions

• Can you claim gym memberships on health insurance?

  Yes, many health insurers allow customers to claim a gym membership rebate as part of their coverage. This extra coverage is typically listed under the diet and lifestyle benefit.

• How do I find out if my health insurance policy offers gym membership benefits?

  To find out whether your health insurance policy offers gym membership or other fitness benefits, have a read through your PDS. You can also get in touch with your insurer or visit their website to find out more details of your policy.

• How do I apply for gym membership reimbursement?

  Each insurer has their own process for how to claim a gym membership reimbursement, but you'll typically need an invoice that shows you've paid for a gym membership and a referral from a health practitioner stating you need to go to a gym to manage a health condition. For full details, visit your insurer's website or check your PDS.

• Is there a maximum reimbursement amount?

  Yes, there will be a limit to how much you can claim back. This limit may be a percentage of your annual membership fee or a fixed limit. It's important to double check your PDS to be clear on the amount you will be reimbursed.

• Can I use my gym membership for family members?

  This depends on your policy. Some plans cover family members, while others only reimburse for the primary policyholder. It's best to confirm with your insurer before taking advantage of the benefit.

• Which health insurers offer a rebate for gym memberships?

  At the moment, 27 health insurers in the Finder database offer a rebate for gym memberships, including AAMI, ahm, HCF, Bupa, nib, HIF, Suncorp and more. You can easily compare health insurance providers using Finder's health insurance comparison table to find the best value policy for you.

• What is a health management or healthy lifestyle benefit?

  A health management or healthy lifestyle benefit is an insurance benefit that covers a percentage or a portion of the cost of health facilities or programs designed to help prevent or manage chronic illnesses, existing health conditions or encourage general wellbeing.

Written by

Ceyda Erem

Senior writer

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. See full bio

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Ceyda has written 55 Finder guides across topics including:

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