How much you pay for pet insurance in Australia depends on a number of things, including the type & level of cover you want as well as the type of pet you want to insure.
Just like your age and traits affect your personal insurance costs, your pet's characteristics will also affect their insurance premiums. Here are some of the key factors that affect pet insurance premiums:
Premiums usually increase with your dog's age, especially for illness cover.
Different breeds have different risk levels. Large dogs for example are typically more at risk of cruciate ligament injuries, while other breeds might be more susceptible to medication allergies. Pedigree breeds in particular are more susceptible to congenital health issues.
Insurers ask for your dog's sex when you get a quote, and some use it as one of the factors that set your premium. Whether your dog is desexed can also make a difference, as explained below.
Desexing your dog can significantly lower your premiums as it reduces the risk of your dog contracting common serious illnesses and the likelihood of risky behaviour, such as running away or aggression towards other dogs.
This can affect how likely your dog is to experience injuries, such as being hit by a car, as well as the typical vet fees you can run into. There's usually little regulation around how much vets can charge for their services, so you might find different prices in different places.
While veterinary fees are largely unregulated, the insurance industry is not. Your premiums are a reflection of actual risk levels, so higher premiums generally mean you're more likely to get more use out of your pet insurance.
If you're looking for a breed of dog that won't break the bank
| Dog Breed | 1 year old Average Cost (Annual) | 5 year old Average Cost (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Cavoodle (male) | $927 | $1,396 |
| Labrador (female) | $1,302 | $1,965 |
| Golden Retriever (female) | $1,238 | $1,863 |
| Maltese Cross (female) | $913 | $1,367 |
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier (male) | $1,141 | $1,704 |
| Border Collie (female) | $1,088 | $1,638 |
| Dachshund (male) | $1,146 | $2,041 |
| King Charles Cavalier Spaniel (male) | $1,302 | $1,997 |
| Greyhound (male) | $1,495 | $2,173 |
How we got these prices: We averaged annual quotes from 51 pet insurance policies across 27 Australian providers. Quotes were collected in March 2026 for a desexed dog aged 1 year or 5 years, with the excess varying by policy from $0 to $250. Prices will differ based on your own dog's breed, age and your address.
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To avoid unexpected veterinary costs if your pet suffers from an illness or injury, with pet insurance, you pay a premium either monthly or annually – policies cost an average of $20 to $60 a month.
You can visit any licensed vet in Australia if your pet gets sick (as long as it's not due to a pre-existing condition) or injured. In most cases, you pay the vet directly for the bill. Some providers in Australia offer GapOnly, which means your pet insurance claim is calculated while you're at the vet, so you only pay the gap.
You get between 60% and 100% of your pet's vet costs reimbursed. You can generally claim a maximum of $12,000 and $25,000 per year, depending on the policy you choose, which is why it's worth comparing pet insurance.
There are several tips and tricks to reduce your pet insurance premiums. However, doing so could mean you'll be out of pocket later down the line:
Raise your excess. By choosing a higher pet insurance excess (the amount you'll have to pay if you make a claim), you are likely to find lower premiums than the averages listed on this page.
Pick a different type of cover. Accident-only cover is typically the cheapest dog insurance, whereas cover for accidents and illness is generally the most expensive. You can also select different policy limits to reduce your premium - this is the most your pet insurance will pay out in a 12 month period.
Shop around. Different insurers might assess dogs differently based on their breed and age, so the cheapest option for one person is not necessarily the cheapest for another. It's always worth shopping around to see if you can find better value dog insurance.
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