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Australia health insurance comparison

Compare health insurance in Australia

Explore hospital cover, extras cover and combined health insurance in Australia, compare what matters first and learn what to check before choosing a policy.

Health insurance starting points

Start with cover type, excess and waiting periods

These three checks usually tell you more than premium alone.

HHospital EExtras CCombined
Match the policy type to how you use healthcare.
Check excess and waiting periods before comparing price.

Featured health insurers to check first

Start with familiar private health insurance brands before you narrow down hospital, extras or combined cover.

Medibank

Well-known health insurer with hospital, extras and combined options.

Coverage: Australia-wide Highlight: Strong everyday extras awareness
At a glance
Cover focus Hospital, extras and combined
Who it may suit
General cover comparison
Strong everyday extras awareness
Go to site

ING

Digital-first brand with simple health cover pathways.

Coverage: Australia-wide Highlight: Straightforward online journey
At a glance
Cover focus Hospital and extras options
Who it may suit
Simple online-first shopping
Straightforward online journey
Go to site

Australian Seniors

Health cover positioned for older Australians and retirees.

Coverage: Australia-wide Highlight: Senior-focused positioning
At a glance
Cover focus Hospital and extras for seniors
Who it may suit
Older members and retirees
Senior-focused positioning
Go to site

Bupa

Large private health insurer with broad hospital and extras ranges.

Coverage: Australia-wide Highlight: Large provider network recognition
At a glance
Cover focus Large hospital and extras range
Who it may suit
Broad brand recognition
Large provider network recognition
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HCF

Member-based insurer known for broad health cover categories.

Coverage: Australia-wide Highlight: Member-focused health brand
At a glance
Cover focus Hospital and extras categories
Who it may suit
Member-style insurer shoppers
Member-focused health brand
Go to site

nib

Recognisable health insurer with hospital and extras options.

Coverage: Australia-wide Highlight: Broad retail health cover range
At a glance
Cover focus Hospital, extras and combined
Who it may suit
Everyday retail comparison
Broad retail health cover range
Go to site

Understand the main health cover types first

Use these three cover styles to narrow your comparison before you request a quote.

H

Hospital cover

For private treatment in hospital

Start here if private hospital access matters more than everyday extras.

In-hospital treatment
Accommodation and theatre costs
Useful for planned procedures
E

Extras cover

For dental, optical and physio

A common fit when you want help with routine health services outside hospital.

Dental and check-ups
Glasses and optical
Physio and therapies
C

Combined cover

For hospital and extras together

A simpler all-in-one policy style if you want broader private health cover in one place.

One policy to manage
Hospital plus everyday care
Good for broader comparisons

What to compare before you choose a policy

These are the first three things worth checking before you move on to premiums, quotes and product detail pages.

1

Check the excess

Know what you may pay before benefits apply

A lower excess can lift premiums, while a higher excess can reduce premiums but increase what you pay on a claim.

2

Review waiting periods

Look closely at when cover can actually be used

Dental, physio, maternity and pre-existing conditions can all have different waiting periods.

3

Compare benefits

Focus on what is included, limited or excluded

Annual limits, exclusions and extras benefits often tell you more than the headline premium.

Getting started

How to frame your first comparison

What should I compare before choosing health insurance?

Start with the type of cover you need, then compare excess, waiting periods, included services, annual limits and any important exclusions before you request a quote.

What is the difference between hospital cover and extras cover?

Hospital cover is designed for treatment as a private patient in hospital, while extras cover is designed for everyday services such as dental, optical and physio.

Policy fit

What changes value from one policy to another

Is combined cover always the best option?

Not always. Combined cover can be convenient, but some people may only need hospital or extras depending on how they use healthcare and what they want to pay for.

Why does excess matter on a health insurance policy?

Excess affects what you may need to contribute if you claim on hospital cover, so it can change the balance between lower premiums and potential out-of-pocket costs.

Before you click through

Checks worth making before you ask for a quote

Why should I pay attention to waiting periods?

Waiting periods determine when you can start claiming for certain services, so a policy that looks good on price may still not suit your timing or healthcare needs.

What should I check before clicking through to a health insurer?

Review the cover type, excess, waiting periods, exclusions and benefit limits, then confirm whether the policy is intended for singles, couples, families or older members.