More Australian parents are paying for private care to have a baby
Key takeaways
- 36% of Australian parents gave birth in the private hospital system in 2026 – up from 28% in 2021
- Almost two-thirds (64%) still chose the public system, down from 69% in 2021
- Next time, 39% say they'd choose to go private, up from 32% in 2021
More Aussie parents are opting for private care when having a baby, according to Finder's 2026 Parenting Report.
The survey of 1,008 parents found 36% gave birth through the private system in 2026, up from 28% in 2021, while those choosing public dropped from 69% to 64% over the same period.
The shift comes even as the cost of choosing private health care continues to rise.
Finder's cost of childbirth in Australia guide has the full breakdown of what public and private care actually cost in 2026, including how out-of-pocket expenses have changed since 2021.
The trend reflects the fact that parents highly value choice and continuity of care when it comes to managing their pregnancy, and they're not afraid to pay a premium to access it.
More families are willing to pay for the certainty that comes with private care, which allows them to choose their own obstetrician, select appointment times that suit them and overall having more control over the birth experience.
But it's a decision that needs the right cover in place well before the birth: you need to serve a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy cover to kick in, which means bumping up your cover at least 3-4 months before you get pregnant.
Weighing up the decision? Compare pregnancy-specific health insurance cover today.
Compare health insurance for pregnancy
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