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Answer some simple questions about yourself and what kind of cover you need. It takes less than a minute.2
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Compare relevant policies from our database based on the factors you care about most, including price.3
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What does private health insurance cover that Medicare doesn't?
Private health insurance gives you access to similar hospital treatments to what's covered by Medicare – but you get other benefits like your choice of doctor, private rooms, and wait times are significantly shorter. The amount you pay for health insurance depends on the tier of hospital cover you have.
If you're treated as a private patient in a hospital (either private or public), Medicare will cover 75% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for services that are listed on the MBS.
Your health insurance typically covers the other 25%, plus accommodation costs and theatre fees, depending on your level of cover and provided you have served relevant waiting periods. You will often be out of pocket for costs like the excess, and the gap between the MBS fee and the total cost of your procedure.
Public vs private health insurance comparison
Not sure if private health insurance is worth it? Here are some key differences between the public and private healthcare systems in Australia:
| Public system | Private health insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor | A public hospital will allocate a doctor for you. You don't get to choose. | You can choose which doctor you see. |
| Private room | You'll likely end up in a shared room in a public hospital. | Insurance gives you access to a private room if there's one available. |
| Waiting lists | Waiting lists for elective treatments can range from a few weeks to a few years. | Private insurance usually involves a shorter wait. For some procedures, you may even be able to pick your date. |
| Treatment types | Medicare doesn't cover most dental, hearing aids or other out-of-hospital treatments. | Extras can give you cashback on out-of-hospital services such as optical, dental, psychology and hearing aids. |
| Ambulance costs | In most cases, Medicare won't pay for your ambulance except in Queensland and Tasmania. | Most health funds include cover for an emergency ambulance, even on Basic policies. |
Pros and cons of health insurance
Pros
- Peace of mind for unexpected health issues or accidents
- Reduced wait times and choice of doctor
- Save on tax by avoiding the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS)
Cons
- New customers wait up to 12 months for some procedures
- You'll typically still pay towards your hospital treatment
- May not be worthwhile if you're under 30 or earn less than 101k
Compare, switch and get rewarded — only on Finder
Comparing health insurance on Finder doesn't just help you find a better deal. We also think you should be rewarded for your effort.
When you purchase an eligible health insurance policy through Finder as a new customer, you could receive a digital Visa gift card as a reward for switching. The value varies depending on the insurer and policy, so it's worth checking what's on offer when you compare.
You can check out the current health insurance rewards we currently have by visiting the Finder Rewards page.
Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold cover: which is right for you?
- Basic is the entry-level tier and covers a small set of hospital treatments (like rehabilitation and palliative care). It’s mainly used to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) or start building your Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) base rate.
- Bronze steps things up with cover for a broader range of treatments, including joint reconstructions and hernia repairs. It's a popular choice for younger, generally healthy people who want meaningful cover without paying for things they're unlikely to need.
- Silver covers everything in Bronze, plus a wider range of procedures, like joint replacements and spinal surgery. It sits in the middle of the market and suits people who want solid all-round protection.
- Gold is the highest tier and covers every clinical category set by the Australian government. That includes pregnancy, cardiac services and weight loss surgery. It's the most comprehensive and most expensive option available.
Which tier is right for you?
The right tier really comes down to your age, health, and what you actually want to use your cover for.
A healthy 28-year-old might find Basic or Bronze is all they need, as it’s enough to dodge the surcharge and build up their Lifetime Health Cover loading without overpaying. If you're planning a family, Silver or Gold with pregnancy cover is worth the investment. And if you're older or managing a chronic condition, Gold's comprehensive coverage may save you more in the long run than it costs.
One thing to keep in mind: Policies within the same tier aren't all identical. Insurers can offer more than the minimum required inclusions, so it's worth reading the fine print and comparing before you commit.
Extras cover explained
Extras cover is the part of private health insurance that helps with everyday healthcare costs outside of hospital, including things like going to the dentist, getting new glasses or seeing a physio.
What's typically included under extras cover?
Most extras policies cover some combination of the following:
- Dental
- Optical
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropractic and osteopathy
- Psychology
- Remedial massage
- Podiatry
- Speech therapy and occupational therapy
The specific services covered, and how much you get back, will vary between policies and insurers. A basic extras policy might only cover dental and optical, while a comprehensive one could include 20 or more services.
Is your health insurance actually keeping up with you?
Life changes, which means your health cover should too. Whether you've recently coupled up, had a baby, changed jobs or just hit a new decade, it's worth reviewing your policy at least once a year. Many Australians are either over-insured (paying for cover they'll never use) or under-insured (finding out too late that a treatment isn't covered). A quick annual check could save you hundreds.
Annual limits and waiting periods
Every extras policy comes with two key limitations worth understanding before you claim.
Annual limits cap how much you can claim per service, per year. For example, you might have a $500 annual limit on physio or a $300 limit on optical. Once you've hit your limit for that service, you're paying out of pocket for the rest of the year. Some policies also have an overall annual limit across all extras combined.
Waiting periods are the time you have to wait after taking out a policy before you can make a claim. Most general dental and optical claims have a 2-month wait, while major dental and orthodontics can require up to 12 months. Pre-existing conditions may attract longer waiting periods too.
How to compare and choose a health in 7 steps
With dozens of health funds and hundreds of policies on the market, knowing where to start makes all the difference. Here’s how to find the right option for your health needs:
- Work out what you actually need: Before you look at a single policy, think about how you use healthcare. Do you go to the dentist twice a year? See a physio regularly? Planning a family in the next few years? Your usage history is the best guide to what cover is worth paying for.
- Decide between hospital, extras or both: You can take out hospital cover only, extras only, or a combined policy. Hospital cover protects you from big unexpected costs, while extras helps with routine, everyday healthcare.
- Set a budget: Health insurance premiums vary a lot, so decide what you're comfortable spending per month, then look for the best cover within that range.
- Compare policies at the same tier: If you're shopping for hospital cover, compare like for like. For instance, two Silver policies can look very different. One might include psychiatric care or heart and vascular surgery as extras, while another keeps strictly to the minimum Silver inclusions.
- Check the extras limits: For extras cover, the benefit limits matter as much as the list of included services. A policy that covers physio but only pays back $200 a year may not go far if you're a regular visitor.
- Look at out-of-pocket costs: Some hospital policies use a "gap cover" arrangement with certain doctors, meaning you pay little or nothing beyond your excess. Check whether your preferred hospitals and specialists are covered, and what your potential out-of-pocket costs could look like.
- Read the fine print on exclusions: Every policy has treatments it won't cover. These are listed in the policy's product disclosure statement (PDS). It's worth skimming, especially if you have a specific condition or procedure in mind.
Our expert says
"A lot of people assume the cheapest policy offers the best value, but that's rarely true. The right cover is the one that actually matches how you use healthcare. Take ten minutes to think about what you've spent on health costs in the last year before you start comparing. That alone will tell you more than any policy name or tier label."
Our expert says
"Private hospital insurance covers all the same treatments as Medicare. The difference lies in the standard of care. It's kind of like choosing between a dependable budget car or something flashier. Both will get you from A to B but one is a faster and nicer place to be."
Expert insight
"I've always been a big proponent of private health cover – and geez I was glad I had it when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. With any unexpected serious illness, the type of treatment – and crucially the speed of it – could make all the difference."
Our expert says
"Health insurance is heavily regulated in Australia, which makes it easier to compare health insurance policies like-for-like. That said, funds still have different products and prices, so it's still important to make sure you're getting the right cover for you and your family."
Learn more about private health insurance
- Hospital Cover: Hospital cover helps pay for a range of hospital treatments in a private hospital. This can include joint reconstructions, hernia operations and childbirth.
- Extras Cover: Extras cover helps towards out-of-hospital healthcare. This includes trips to the dentist, eye care by an optometrist, physiotherapists, natural therapies and more. As of March 2025, 55.1% of Australians have extras cover.
- Health insurance rebate: The private health insurance rebate makes health insurance cheaper for most people. Your exact rebate is determined by your age and income.
- Private health and tax: Whether you're a high earner or turning 30, there are a few things you need to know about private health insurance at tax time.
- Switching health funds: Switching health funds is quick and easy. You can transfer your waiting periods, while potentially saving money with new sign-up deals.
I've saved $800 by switching
"Changing health insurance had been on my to-do list for ages, but I found it very confusing. Eventually I compared and took advantage of sign-up offers –by switching health insurers, I've saved around $800 so far."
Watch & learn more about health insurance
Health insurance guides and resources
How much does health insurance cost?
We ask hundreds of Australians what they're paying for health insurance every month. Here's what their bill looked like in March 2026.
- Extras only: $53
- Basic: $90
- Bronze: $144
- Silver: $184
- Gold: $285
Frequently asked questions about health insurance
Sources
Ask a question
Could you kindly break down the cost for me per person.
For myself I need a very basic Health insurance plan 33 year old male.
For my Wife something that will cover pregnancy, scans etc should that be our luck to fall pregnant.
And then something for a minor , 3 year old that would cover xrays scans, doctor visits etc.
Hi Julian,
The premium is calculated based on all of you as a family. Usually, it doesn’t cost any extra to add a child to a policy. Things like GP visits are generally covered by Medicare and most doctors bulk bill for under 16s, meaning these visits have no cost.
As for you and your wife, as you have different needs, you could look at taking our two seperate policies: yours basic, hers more fully featured to cover pregnancy etc. However it is often cheaper to get a couples policy.
Note that extra are optional, you may want to go without extras cover to reduce the cost of your premiums.
Hope this helps!
Hi, could I please ask which insurance covers HPV treatments, including wart treatment, pap smear and other HPV related treatments if needed?
Hi Hta,
All of these treatments would be managed through a GP, which is linked to Medicare. You would need to go to your GP or a sexual health clinic for treatment, and you would be eligible for Medicare rebates if you’re entitled to Medicare Benefits.
Health insurance could provide some cover if you ever need day surgery related to HPV, but you would still likely be out of pocket (hospital excess, gap payments and doctor’s fees) even with insurance. So if that was your primary reason for taking out health insurance, the financial benefit might not be enough incentive, considering the high cost of premiums.
Of course this is a personal decision, and you have to consider things like your income and the medicare surcharge (more info here if you’re not aware).
Hi Jason, thanks for your question.
Health insurance premiums will be going up by 3.03% on average in 2024. The government has to approve these increases each year – this year took a little longer for that to happen. The price rise should happen on April 1 2024.
Be sure to check the news article I linked – it’s got the breakdown of how much each health fund is increasing premiums. 3.03% is just an average across all funds – your fund will probably be slight more or less than that.
Have a good one!
Tim
Hi,
Are there any such plans that cover foreign hospital treatments for people seeking treatment for cancer? I have pre-existing medical conditions and looking for health cover for overseas treatment. Please advice.
Hi John,
Unfortunately, most domestic health insurance policies don’t offer cover for treatment needed outside of Australia. However, travel insurance that specifically covers overseas medical expenses may help.
Make sure you read each policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) with care so that you know what cover is available.
Also, check to see if there are any reciprocal healthcare agreements in place between Australia and each country you’re intending to visit.
Regards,
James
Hi John,
Unfortunately, most domestic health insurance policies don’t offer cover for treatment needed outside of Australia. However, travel insurance (https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance) that specifically covers overseas medical expenses may help. Make sure you read each policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) with care, so that you know what cover is available.
Also, check to see if there are any reciprocal healthcare agreements in place between Australia and each country you’re intending to visit.
Regards,
James
I would like a real time answer to my request for cover .
Hi Robert,
Can which cover you are referring to, please? I’ll wait for your response. If possible, please return to our website and click on the chat button found on the lower right corner of our to chat with us in real-time.
Moreover, please feel free as well to get in touch with the specific insurer you have chosen. They should be able to provide you with more details of the cover you’re interested in.
Regards,
James