Bronze hospital cover in Australia offers a mid-level private health insurance option. It covers a defined set of hospital treatments, including common procedures like joint reconstructions and gynaecology. Most importantly, it's only slightly more expensive than the basic tier of hospital policies, which covers almost nothing.
Essentially, Bronze cover is for those wanting hospital protection for typical medical needs, without the higher cost of more comprehensive plans. It will also help you avoid the MLS and LHC, which is nice.
Time for a check-up?
Find a better deal for you by comparing policies from 40+ funds.
Gold-tier hospital insurance covers all 38 treatments outlined by the Australian government. This includes treatments like joint replacements, pregnancy and insulin pumps, as well as all services covered by Silver-tier policies.
Silver-tier hospital insurance covers at least 26 treatments outlined by the Australian government. This includes treatments like dental surgery, lung and chest, and podiatric surgery, as well as all services covered by Bronze-tier policies.
Basic-tier hospital insurance isn't required to fully cover any treatments outlined by the Australian government, but it does need to have restricted cover for rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. Generally, Basic cover is primarily used to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover loading.
*Average prices updated May 2025, in line with Finder's database of health insurance policies. Prices are based on a single individual with less than $97,000 income and living in Sydney with a $750 excess.
"I had HBF Bronze Hospital cover 'just in case', thinking I'd never actually have to use it. Unfortunately, on the hockey field one day an opponent missed the ball but collected my knee! I had a very unstable leg for months and it turns out my ACL was torn and I needed a reconstruction as well as a meniscal repair. While I decided my hockey days were over, I had very successful surgery which I was able to book ASAP as I had hospital cover and could afford to get the surgery without delay. The only reason I'm no longer on this policy is because I upgraded to Gold ahead of starting a family. "
If you see a policy listed as a 'Bronze Plus' policy, then it covers all the treatments required for the Bronze tier, but it also covers a few more. This is typically a treatment from the Silver tier, though it could include a treatment from a Gold tier.
Bronze Plus policies often offer really amazing value - the winner of the Finder health insurance awards in the Bronze tier is almost always a Bronze Plus policy. This is because the fund can tailor a policy to a particular type of person, rather than having that policy be dictated to by the government.
If you have a look through the policies on Finder, you might find a Bronze Plus policy that gives you treatment for one particular treatment you need from a higher tier. This means you could get the coverage you need from a higher tier without having to pay for the entire Silver or Gold tier. Nice.
HCF has taken once again won the Finder award for best Bronze Hospital cover, making it three years' running! The hat-trick comes thanks to the not-for-profit continnuing to offer the best value cover in the category.
HCF has taken once again won the Finder award for best Bronze Hospital cover, making it three years' running! The hat-trick comes thanks to the not-for-profit continnuing to offer the best value cover in the category.
Highly commended
Bupa receives a Highly Commended award for its Bronze Plus Simple Hospital policy in the Bronze Hospital Health Insurance category. This policy brings strong value to the table by extending cover to a range of treatments beyond the standard bronze level.
Bupa receives a Highly Commended award for its Bronze Plus Simple Hospital policy in the Bronze Hospital Health Insurance category. This policy brings strong value to the table by extending cover to a range of treatments beyond the standard bronze level.
ahm's simple bronze plus policy is Highly Commended in the Bronze Hospital Health Insurance category. It shines by offering competitive value and including extra services that go beyond the standard Bronze offerings.
ahm's simple bronze plus policy is Highly Commended in the Bronze Hospital Health Insurance category. It shines by offering competitive value and including extra services that go beyond the standard Bronze offerings.
Bronze cover is a good starting point for anyone looking to get hospital cover. I say this because the very bottom tier - 'Basic' - doesn't have to cover anything at all! It's really only good for tax avoidance in my opinion. With Bronze, you get a decent amount of covered treatments for just a little bit more per month than a virtually junk basic policy. That said, there are different reasons you might benefit from a Bronze policy.
I can only offer you general advice, but there are certain folks who might not be best covered by a bronze policy. Here are some of them.
Compare public and private health insurance for brain treatment.
Gold hospital insurance is the most comprehensive hospital cover that money can buy – starting from around $57 per week.
Guide to what is covered by silver tier hospital policies.
Find out what health insurance tiers mean and how much you’ll pay.
Palliative care is the practice of easing the pain of a patient with a terminal illness and making them as comfortable as possible before death.
Find the answers to the most common questions about health cover excesses in this helpful guide.
What is “the gap” and why do you have to pay extra even though you have private health insurance? This guide explains everything you need to know about the gap.
Health insurance for weight loss surgery comes with a 12-month waiting period, so it's worth getting sooner rather than later.
Read our guide to see what is covered by Basic hospital policies in Australia.