There is no such thing as the 'best' extras policy, soz. However, there are definitely some extras policies that offer more bang for your buck, which is where you should start your comparison journey. Have a look at the policies we've called out below, and if they're not perfect for you then use the quiz at the top of this page to find something that's more tailored to your needs.
The extras policies below won the 2025 Finder Awards. They came out on top for value for money – meaning they give you more bang for your buck than the other 400+ policies we analysed from 46 health funds.
Best Core Extras Health Insurance: Bupa Extras Saver
A great, no fuss, basic extras policy that covers general dental and emergency ambulance. If you don't think you'll need any extras treatment outside the ol' pearly whites, this is a great option to consider.
No gap on two 6-monthly clean and check-ups each year with a Bupa partner dentist, claimable outside your normal yearly benefit limits.
Unlimited emergency ambulance cover.
100% back on general fillings with a Bupa partner dentist, up to yearly benefit limits.
Only covers dental and ambulance, nothing else.
The best deal on dentistry requires you to use a Bupa partner dentist.
Limits and waiting periods will apply, be sure to read the PDS.
Hospital Treatments
Extras Treatments
General Dental
Bupa's Extras Saver took out the 2025 Finder Award for Core Extras Health Insurance. This policy offers outstanding value for those essential, frequently used extras services, making it a true standout for managing everyday health costs.
Best Medium Extras Health Insurance: ahm value extras
A really nice mid-tier extras policy that will cover a range of useful treatments like dental, physio and optical. Optical in particular is a standout, this policy will score you a free pair of glasses each year (up to your benefit limits). Doesn't cover more complex treatments, but if that's not an issue, this is a great value policy to consider.
100% back on optical, up to yearly benefit limits.
No gap dental check-ups at partner dentists.
Unlimited emergency ambulance.
No major dental, though that's not uncommon at this price point.
Limits and waiting periods will apply, be sure to read the PDS.
Hospital Treatments
Hospital treatments not covered
Extras Treatments
General Dental Major Dental Endodontic Optical Non-PBS Pharmaceuticals Physiotherapy Chiropractic Psychology Acupuncture Remedial Massage
ahm has claimed the 2025 Finder Award for Medium Extras Health Insurance with its value extras policy. This policy achieves a fantastic balance between cost and coverage, offering a strong suite of benefits for those mid-range extras services.
Best Comprehensive Extras Health Insurance: ahm Family Extras
A really solid policy from ahm. Along with the lifestyle and super extras, family extras has no 2 or 6 month waiting periods baked into the policy, even without any special sign-up offers. Great value cover for a range of treatments, including major dental and braces. If you're a family with young teenagers, have a look at this one!
No 2 or 6 month waiting periods, so you can start claiming right away.
100% back on optical, up to yearly benefit limits.
Not much really. It might be more cover than some people need, but that's about it.
Limits and waiting periods will apply, be sure to read the PDS.
Hospital Treatments
Hospital treatments not covered
Extras Treatments
General Dental Major Dental Endodontic Orthodontic Optical Non-PBS Pharmaceuticals Physiotherapy Chiropractic Podiatry Psychology Acupuncture Remedial Massage Hearing aids
ahm's Family Extras policy is the 2025 Comprehensive Extras Health Insurance award winner. Providing expansive coverage across a vast array of extras services, it offers truly thorough protection designed with families in mind, earning it the top spot.
What makes an extras policy good?
Fundamentally, an extras cover is good if it covers everything you need, covers nothing you don't, and is a reasonable price. Extras policies are many and varied across the health insurance market, so odds are pretty good that you'll find something that suits you well.
While insurance isn't about making money, picking the right extras policy can result in you breaking even each year. This means making enough claims against your extras treatments each year so that the benefits you receive are close to the amount you're paying in premiums. Of course, you're also paying for peace of mind in case a big problem crops up that needs immediate care (think root canal).
So yeah, best bet is to have a look at the policies on this page, but then to use the tool at the top of this page to compare hundreds of other extras policies, because there could be something on offer that is perfect for you.
How to get the most out of your extras health insurance?
"The best way to get the most out of your extras insurance is to use it! I like to think of extras cover a bit like those big coupon books you used to buy in school fundraisers (showing my age much?). If you paid $50 for the coupon book, you needed to get at least $50 worth of savings to make it worthwhile. For extras, that might mean 2 dental check-ups, a new pair of glasses and seeing the physio a few times every year. On mid-tier policies, even that could be getting close to your yearly premiums."
Nice try! There is no 'best' extras policy in Australia. Everyone has different needs, and so everyone will have a different extras policy that suits them the best. That being said, the Finder health insurance awards found these 3 to be particular standouts with regard to value for money.
Best Core Extras Health Insurance: Bupa Extras Saver
Best Medium Extras Health Insurance: ahm value extras
Best Comprehensive Extras Health Insurance: ahm Family Extras
Extras cover helps pay for medical care that's not covered by Medicare. These treatments are usually done out-of-hospital and include dental, physio, psychology, optical and chiropractic services. You must serve a waiting period before you can claim money back and there are annual cover limits (a cap on how much you can claim per year). Extras policies are a lot more varied than hospital insurance policies, so you're going to see a lot of different stuff you can claim, from hearing aids to sunscreen to laser eye surgery - it pays to look at your policy information!
No, you will not need to pay an excess on extras health insurance cover. Excesses are only applicable to hospital claims.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Angus Kidman as part of our fact-checking process.
A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio
Tim's expertise
Tim has written 161 Finder guides across topics including:
While COVID-19 vaccinations are free in Australia, other vaccines with out-of-pocket costs can be covered by private health insurance with some extras policies.
Remedial massage can help ease pain from general wear and tear as well as specific injuries. This treatment isn’t covered by Medicare but is included in private health insurance extras cover. Find out how private health insurance can cover you for remedial massage therapy.
Before you travel it's crucial to protect your health from risks found in popular destinations. Learn how extras health insurance can help pay for them.
Physiotherapy services can be beneficial at any life stage, so it could be worth considering and comparing extras health insurance that can cover the cost of this type of treatment.
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