Health insurance hacks: Aussies share their best tactics to save on cover
Millions of Australians are taking action to keep a lid on rising health insurance premiums, according to new research by Finder.
More than half of Australians with a health insurance policy (53%) – equivalent to 8.1 million people – are taking matters into their own hands as premiums continue to climb.
This comes as Health Minister Mark Butler has approved an average increase of 4.41% to private health insurance premiums, the steepest hike in a decade.
Finder's research shows 1 in 5 Aussies (21%) go for the most basic policy to keep costs down, while 16% regularly switch to stop their health insurance bill from blowing out.
A further 1 in 8 (16%) health insurance members pay for a whole year's premiums upfront before April 1 instead of monthly installments to avoid paying more than they need to.
Taylor Blackburn, personal finance and insurance specialist at Finder, said a few small habits can help keep a cap on premiums.
"The Australians who get the best bang for their buck are the ones who treat their policy like any other subscription – they review it, renegotiate it and aren't afraid to switch.
"It's one of the expenses where loyalty can quietly set you back hundreds of dollars a year.
"Jumping to the most basic policy will get you savings, but make sure you are getting the coverage you need."
Blackburn said simple moves like ditching extras you never use or keeping an eye out for valuable sign up bonuses can trim serious money off your premiums.
"Right now, Finder is giving away up to $500 cashback to customers to pick a better deal from well-known providers.
"These providers will also sweeten the pot themselves with gift cards and free weeks of cover for your trouble.
"If folks spent 30 minutes a year reviewing their cover, many would find they're either overpaying or insured for things they'll never use – and missing out on the spoils of switching."
Blackburn said comparison shopping is often the easiest way to cut the cost of cover.
"Health insurers compete hardest for new customers, which means the best deals rarely go to people who stay put.
"If you haven't reviewed your policy recently, you could be leaving money on the table."
Do you do any of the following to save money on health insurance?
| Go for the most basic policy | 21% |
| Regularly switch so I get the best value | 16% |
| Pay for the whole year upfront before 1 April (instead of interval payments) | 16% |
| Don't get extras (dental, physio etc) cover | 11% |
| Only get extras and not hospital cover | 8% |
| I took out a couples policy | 8% |
| Have my hospital policy through one fund and extras policy through another | 3% |
| None of the above | 47% |
| Source: Finder survey of 585 Australians with private health insurance, February 2026 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 585 Australians with private health insurance, February 2026.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Sources
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