Private health insurance in Australia comes in three distinct types: hospital cover, extras cover, and combined policies. Understanding the difference is critical to choosing the right coverage and avoiding paying for insurance you don't need.
This guide explains what each type covers, what it costs, and most importantly — helps you decide which combination (if any) makes sense for your situation.
The three types explained.
Quick overview
Hospital cover:
- Covers treatment as a private patient in hospital
- Faster access to elective surgery (weeks vs. months)
- Choice of doctor and private room
- Required to avoid Medicare Levy Surcharge (if you're a high earner)
- Lifetime Health Cover loading applies if you delay past age 31
Extras cover:
- Covers out-of-hospital services Medicare doesn't cover
- Dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc.
- Annual limits per service category
- No Lifetime Health Cover loading (age doesn't affect eligibility)
- Not required for MLS avoidance
Combined cover:
- Both hospital and extras bundled together
- Often 5–15% cheaper than buying separately
- Most popular option (convenient single policy)
- Can mix tiers (Gold hospital + Basic extras, etc.)
Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Hospital cover | Extras cover | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Private hospital treatment | Dental, optical, therapies | Both |
| Medicare covers alternative? | Yes — public hospitals, free | No — you pay full price | Partial |
| Annual limits | None (if covered, it's covered) | Yes ($300–1,200 per service) | Both rules apply |
| Waiting periods | 2–12 months | 2 months | Longest applies |
| Affects MLS? | Yes — hospital component required | No | Yes |
| LHC loading? | Yes — hospital component | No | Yes |
| Avg cost (single) | $80–350/mo | $15–100/mo | $150–450/mo |
Cost data: February 2026 market averages. See detailed pricing in Cost comparison, below.
Important distinction: hospital and extras serve completely different purposes. You can have one without the other, both, or neither — it depends entirely on your needs.
Hospital cover deep dive.
What hospital cover actually covers
Hospital cover insures you for treatment as a private patient in a hospital — private hospitals, or public hospitals where you elect private treatment.
Included
- Private hospital accommodation (private or shared room)
- Theatre fees for surgery
- Intensive care if needed
- Prostheses — hip replacements, pacemakers, artificial lenses (government-approved items)
- Hospital-administered medications during your stay
- Medical services by hospital staff
Not included
- Doctor and specialist fees — you'll likely have gap fees even with insurance
- GP visits outside hospital
- Prescriptions you take home (PBS covers these)
- Ambulance in most states (needs separate cover)
- Dental, optical, physio — that's what extras cover is for
The four hospital tiers
Since April 2019, all hospital policies are classified into four government-set tiers.
| Tier | Typical coverage | Common exclusions | Best for | Cost / policies* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gold |
All 42 clinical categories — pregnancy & birth, joint replacements, heart surgery & stents, IVF, cataract surgery | Minimal (insurer-specific cosmetic restrictions) | Comprehensive peace of mind, planning pregnancy, expecting major procedures | $250–400/mo 89 policies |
 Silver |
Restricted categories, varies by policy — cataract surgery, most broken bones, appendix removal, some cardiac procedures | Often excludes joint replacements, pregnancy, IVF | Targeted coverage for specific anticipated needs | $160–280/mo 142 policies |
 Bronze |
Very limited clinical categories — accidents & injuries, appendix, tonsils, some basic surgical procedures | Excludes joint surgery, pregnancy, cardiac, cancer | Young & healthy, just want accident coverage plus LHC / MLS avoidance | $120–200/mo 178 policies |
 Basic |
Absolute minimum — often just MLS / LHC avoidance, very limited emergency procedures | Excludes most elective surgery, pregnancy, chronic conditions, joint work, cardiac, cancer | Only getting it to avoid the MLS surcharge, with no actual intent to use it | $80–140/mo 67 policies |
*Prices for a single person, $500 excess, before rebate. Market averages as of February 2026.Read: what does hospital cover include?
Key insight: two Gold policies from different insurers can have very different prices, excess options, hospital networks, and gap cover arrangements. Always compare specific policies, not just tier names.
When you actually need hospital cover
You definitely need hospital cover if:
- You earn $97k+ (single) / $194k+ (family) — basic cover costs less than the Medicare Levy Surcharge (2025-26 thresholds)
- You're approaching age 31 — avoiding Lifetime Health Cover loading saves thousands long-term
- You want faster access to elective surgery — public wait lists can be 6–18 months
- You want to choose your doctor and have a private room
You might not need hospital cover if:
- You're young, healthy, earn under the MLS threshold, and are comfortable with public hospital wait times
- You have excellent public hospitals nearby and don't mind waiting for non-urgent procedures
- You'd rather self-insure and save premium money for out-of-pocket treatment if needed
Extras cover deep dive.
What extras cover actually covers
Extras cover (also called 'general treatment' or 'ancillary cover') covers out-of-hospital health services that Medicare doesn't cover at all.
| Service | What's covered | Annual limit | Wait | Worth it if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dental |
Check-ups & cleans ($150–250 without insurance); X-rays ($80–150); fillings ($150–300 each); root canals ($800–2,000); crowns ($1,200–2,500); dentures; orthodontics (often a separate $1,500–3,000 limit) | $600–1,200 | 2 months general, 12 months major | You need more than basic check-ups, or anticipate major dental work |
 Optical |
Eye tests ($60–100 without insurance); prescription glasses ($200–600); contact lenses ($150–400/year); lens coatings and tinting; prescription sunglasses | $250–400 every 1–2 years | 2 months | You wear glasses or contacts, or need regular prescription updates |
 Therapies |
Physiotherapy ($80–120 per session without insurance); chiropractic ($70–100); remedial massage ($80–120); osteopathy ($80–120); myotherapy ($80–120) | $400–800 | 2 months | You have chronic pain, or regularly need therapy for sports injuries or back pain |
 Psychology |
6–12 sessions per year. $150–250 per session without insurance. Medicare already rebates some psychology under a Mental Health Care Plan (10 subsidised sessions/year) | $300–600 | 2 months | You exceed the Medicare-subsidised sessions |
 Podiatry |
$80–150 per session without insurance | $300–500 | 2 months | You're diabetic, have chronic foot issues, or need orthotics |
Market data: February 2026. Other services vary by policy — dietary/nutritionist, acupuncture and natural therapies typically carry $300–500 limits; hearing aids $500–1,000 on some policies; pregnancy and maternity classes on some policies.
Critical difference from hospital: extras has annual limits per service category. Once you hit your dental limit ($800, for example), you pay 100% out-of-pocket for the rest of the year.
When you actually need extras cover
Do this calculation:
- Annual dental costs (check-ups, fillings, cleanings)
- Annual optical costs (glasses, contacts, eye tests)
- Annual therapy costs (physio, chiro, massage)
- Other covered services
If your total annual out-of-pocket is more than $600–700, extras cover typically provides value.
You definitely benefit from extras if:
- You wear glasses or contacts (prescription changes every 1–2 years)
- You have ongoing therapy needs (chronic back pain, sports injuries)
- You need regular dental work beyond basic check-ups
- You have a family (kids' dental, orthodontics, multiple glasses prescriptions)
You probably don't need extras if:
- You have perfect teeth and rarely need dental work beyond annual check-ups
- You don't wear glasses
- You don't use physio, chiro or massage services
- You're young, healthy, and rarely use these services
WORKED EXAMPLE
Sarah's calculation
- Dental check-up + clean: $250/year
- Dental fillings (2 this year): $600
- New glasses: $400
- Physio for a running injury (6 sessions): $600
- Total: $1,850
Extras policy at $70/month = $840/year. If the policy covers $1,200 of her $1,850 costs, she saves $360 and still has additional coverage available.
Combined cover: when it makes sense.
What combined cover is
Combined policies bundle hospital and extras together in a single policy, usually with a small discount compared to buying them separately.
Typical savings: 5–15% vs. purchasing hospital and extras as separate policies from the same insurer (February 2026 market average).
WORKED EXAMPLE
Silver hospital + mid extras
- Silver hospital only: $220/month
- Mid extras only: $65/month
- Separate total: $285/month
- Combined (Silver + mid extras): $265/month
Savings: $20/month ($240/year).
Flexibility with combined policies
You can mix and match coverage levels. Common combinations:
- Gold hospital + Basic extras
- Silver hospital + Comprehensive extras
- Bronze hospital + Mid extras
- Basic hospital + Comprehensive extras (MLS avoidance plus a dental/optical focus)
WORKED EXAMPLE
John's strategy
- Age 32, earns $105k (just over the MLS threshold)
- Rarely uses hospitals (healthy, active)
- Needs glasses and dental work regularly
- Choice: Basic hospital (cheapest, avoids MLS) + Comprehensive extras
- Cost: ~$180/month (February 2026 estimate)
Benefit: avoids $1,050/year MLS and gets the full extras coverage he actually uses.
Choose combined if
- You need both hospital and extras coverage
- The same insurer offers the best value for both types
- Convenience matters — one policy, one renewal, one premium
- The discount is genuine — actually cheaper than separate policies
Choose separate policies if
- Different insurers offer better value — Insurer A has the best hospital, Insurer B the best extras
- You only need one type — don't pay for coverage you won't use
- You want flexibility — easier to cancel one without affecting the other
Key question: is the combined policy actually cheaper, or would buying hospital from Insurer A and extras from Insurer B save more?
Always compare:
- Combined from one insurer
- Hospital from the best hospital provider + extras from the best extras provider
- Hospital only (if you don't use extras services)
- Extras only (if you're under the MLS threshold and comfortable with public hospitals)
Cost comparison: hospital vs extras vs combined.
What each of the three types costs, and whether bundling actually saves you anything.
Pricing data current as of February 2026. Market rates change regularly — these are broad averages only. Always obtain current quotes for actual pricing.
February 2026 market averages
Hospital cover only
Single person / month
Extras cover only
Single person / month
Combined cover
Single person / month
Family costs: multiply single rates by approximately 2–2.5× for couples, or 3–4× for families (2 adults + kids). Multipliers based on February 2026 market averages.
Combined or separate — what it costs you
Pick a hospital tier and an extras level to see the bundled price against buying the two policies separately.
Combined vs separate. In 10 seconds.
Combined policy
$265/mo
Separate policies
Combined saves you
$20/month
$240 a year
Indicative only. Always compare real quotes.
Figures are the midpoints of this page's February 2026 ranges, except mid-level extras, which uses the $65 of the worked example above. The bundle discount applied is 7% — the rate that example implies ($285 separate → $265 combined); the stated typical band is 5–15%, so a real quote will sit either side of this. Couple and family figures apply the 2–2.5× and 3–4× multipliers at their midpoints.
Value comparison: hospital vs extras
Which provides more value for your dollar? This depends entirely on your usage.
Hospital cover value:
- High value if you use it for major surgery — one hip replacement could cost $20,000+ out-of-pocket without insurance
- Low value if you never use it — paying $2,400/year in premiums while using public hospitals for everything
- Mandatory value if you earn over the MLS threshold — cover costs less than the tax surcharge
Extras cover value:
- High value if you regularly use covered services totalling $800+/year
- Low value if you rarely use dental, optical or therapies — paying $720/year for $200 worth of services
- Breaks even if you use services roughly equal to the premium cost
WORKED EXAMPLE
Emma's analysis — 29, single, $75k income
Hospital cover assessment: below the MLS threshold (doesn't need it for tax), under 31 (no LHC loading yet), healthy with no anticipated surgery. Decision: will get Basic hospital at age 30 to avoid future LHC loading, but doesn't need it now.
Extras cover assessment:
- Annual dental: $400 (check-up + one filling)
- Glasses: $350 every 2 years (= $175/year average)
- Occasional physio: $240 (3 sessions)
- Total: $815/year
Mid-level extras premium: $55/month = $660/year. The policy covers ~$700 of her $815 costs — saving $40/year plus coverage for unexpected needs. Emma's choice: extras only, will add Basic hospital at age 30.
Which do you actually need?
A three-step framework — and an honest fourth answer, because sometimes "neither" is right.
Decision framework
Yes if you earn $97k+ single / $194k+ family (2025-26 threshold — Basic cover costs less than MLS); you're age 30+ (avoid Lifetime Health Cover loading, 2% per year delayed); you want faster surgery access (public wait lists run 6–18 months for elective procedures); or you're planning pregnancy (private obstetrics offers more choice, with a 12-month waiting period).
Probably not if you're under the MLS threshold and comfortable with public hospital quality and wait times, or under age 30 and healthy — you can wait until 30 to avoid LHC loading.
Calculate your annual usage — dental, optical, therapies.
Yes if the total is more than $600–700/year. No if the total is under $500/year: you're paying more in premiums than you're getting back.
Combined if the same insurer offers the best value for both, you want the convenience of one policy, and the combined discount is genuine.
Separate if different insurers offer better individual rates, one policy needs to be more flexible than the other, or you might cancel one type later.
Common decision outcomes
OUTCOME 1
Hospital only
Common for: high earners (MLS avoidance), people approaching 31, minimal extras usage.
Example: tech worker, $140k salary, doesn't wear glasses, good teeth, no therapy needs.
OUTCOME 2
Extras only
Common for: young professionals, families with kids, people with dental or optical needs.
Example: 28-year-old teacher, $70k salary, wears glasses, regular dental work.
OUTCOME 3
Combined
Common for: people who use both, families, those wanting comprehensive coverage.
Example: 35-year-old couple, planning pregnancy, both wear glasses.
OUTCOME 4
Neither
Common for: young, healthy, low income, comfortable with the public system.
Example: 25-year-old student, $50k income, excellent health, public hospital nearby.
The "neither" option is valid. Medicare provides excellent public hospital coverage. If you don't meet the MLS threshold, aren't approaching 31, and don't use extras services regularly, you might not need private health insurance at all.
Common scenarios: real decision examples.
Four situations, worked through end to end — including the one where the answer is to buy nothing.
SCENARIO 1
Sarah — age 28, $85k income
Situation: single, healthy, active. Wears glasses, gets dental check-ups. No major health issues. Below the MLS threshold ($97k).
Analysis: hospital isn't mandatory and she has no urgent surgery needs — but she's approaching 31, so she should get Basic hospital at age 30 to avoid LHC loading. Extras: she spends ~$600/year on dental and optical.
Decision: now (age 28) extras only, ~$45/month. At age 30, add Basic hospital ~$110/month — about $155/month combined. Why this works: saves money now while young, adds hospital at 30 to avoid permanent loading, and gets value from extras immediately.
SCENARIO 2
John — age 33, $130k income
Situation: single, excellent health, runner. Needs physiotherapy occasionally for running injuries. Good teeth, doesn't wear glasses. Well above the MLS threshold.
Analysis: hospital is required to avoid MLS — at $130k he'd pay 1.25% = $1,625/year surcharge with no cover (2025-26 rate), against ~$1,400/year for Basic hospital. Hospital is cheaper than the surcharge. Extras: ~$400/year of physio only.
Decision: Silver hospital (wants faster access if injured running) at $200/month, no extras — not worth it for $400/year of usage. Why this works: avoids MLS and gets hospital cover he might actually use, while skipping extras his usage doesn't justify.
SCENARIO 3
Emma & David — couple, 35 & 37, $180k combined
Situation: married, planning pregnancy next year. Both wear glasses. Emma has ongoing back issues (physio twice a month). Combined income well over the MLS threshold.
Analysis: hospital is required for MLS, plus the pregnancy plan needs Gold or Silver with pregnancy cover and its 12-month waiting period. Extras usage is high — glasses for both ($800/year), Emma's physio ($2,400/year), dental for both ($600/year) = $3,800/year.
Decision: combined Gold hospital + comprehensive extras, ~$750/month for the couple. Must start now — the 12-month pregnancy waiting period means starting at least a year before trying to conceive. Avoids the $2,250 MLS surcharge, covers $3,000+ of annual out-of-pocket costs, and the combined discount saves ~$80/month vs. separate policies.
SCENARIO 4
Tom — age 24, $65k income
Situation: young, healthy, no health issues. Excellent teeth, doesn't wear glasses. Happy with public healthcare.
Analysis: hospital isn't required (under MLS), he's healthy, public hospitals are fine, and there's no LHC pressure yet at 24. Extras: maybe $150/year (one dental check-up).
Decision: neither. Saves ~$2,000–3,000/year in premiums and reassesses at age 30. Tom's plan: start Basic hospital at age 30 (before the July 1 after turning 31) to avoid LHC loading, even if he doesn't plan to use it — about $100/month, but it saves the 2% loading forever.
Switching between coverage types.
Yes, you can change. You can switch between hospital-only, extras-only, and combined at any time. You can also switch insurers, upgrade, or downgrade.
How to switch
Option 1: switch insurers entirely
- Compare 3–5 insurers for your desired coverage type
- Choose the new policy
- Start the new policy BEFORE cancelling the old one (maintain continuous cover)
- Transfer waiting periods already served (for equivalent or lesser cover)
Option 2: adjust with your current insurer
- Downgrade: usually immediate (e.g. Gold to Silver)
- Upgrade: may require new 12-month waiting periods for additional benefits
- Add extras to hospital-only: typically a 2-month waiting period
- Add hospital to extras-only: waiting periods apply (2–12 months depending on service)
Option 3: split a combined policy
- Drop hospital, keep extras: simple (you might lose the combined discount)
- Drop extras, keep hospital: simple (you might lose the combined discount)
Waiting periods when switching
| What you're doing | Available immediately | New waiting period |
|---|---|---|
| Switching insurers, equivalent or lesser cover | Everything — waiting periods already served transfer | None |
| Switching insurers, upgraded cover | Every benefit your old cover included | 12 months, for newly covered benefits only |
| Adding extras to hospital-only | All hospital benefits, unchanged | 2 months general (dental, optical, physio); major extras may be longer |
| Adding hospital to extras-only | All extras benefits, unchanged | 2 months general, 12 months major |
| Upgrading Bronze → Silver | Everything Bronze covered | 12 months from the upgrade date, for the new Silver benefits (e.g. joint replacements) |
Best time to switch
- March, before April 1 — premium increases typically occur on April 1, so switch before then to avoid paying the higher rate
- When circumstances change — a new job (income increase triggers MLS), planning pregnancy (need pregnancy cover), moving states
- After serving waiting periods — if you've served a 12-month pregnancy wait but haven't used it, you can switch insurers and transfer the served period
Avoid switching
- Mid-way through your extras year if you've used significant portions of your limits — you'll lose what you've already claimed
- Right before a planned procedure — switching might restart waiting periods for that procedure
Frequently asked questions.
Hospital cover is for treatment as a patient in hospital: private hospital accommodation, surgery and theatre fees. It has no annual limits (if it's covered, it's covered), it's required to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, and Lifetime Health Cover loading applies if you delay past age 31.
Extras cover is for out-of-hospital services Medicare doesn't cover: dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic and similar. It has annual limits per service ($300–1,200 depending on policy), it's not required for MLS, and there's no age-based loading.
They serve completely different purposes. You can have one without the other, both, or neither.
Not necessarily. It depends on your situation.
You might need both if you want private hospital treatment AND regularly use dental, optical or therapy services; you're a family with kids (hospital for parents plus extras for everyone's dental and optical); or the combined policy offers genuine savings.
Only hospital if you earn over the MLS threshold ($97k single / $194k family as of 2025-26), rarely use dental/optical/therapy, or are approaching age 31.
Only extras if you're under the MLS threshold and comfortable with public hospitals, regularly spend $600+ a year on dental, optical and therapies, and don't need faster hospital access.
Neither if you're under the MLS threshold, under 30, healthy, don't use extras services, and are comfortable with Medicare and public hospitals.
Usually, but not always. Combined policies typically offer a 5–15% discount vs. buying hospital and extras separately from the same insurer (February 2026 market average).
Example: Silver hospital $220/month + mid extras $65/month = $285/month separate, against $265/month combined — a saving of $20/month ($240/year).
BUT sometimes buying hospital from Insurer A (cheapest hospital) and extras from Insurer B (cheapest extras) saves more than combined. Always compare all four options: combined from one insurer; hospital from the best hospital provider plus extras from the best extras provider; hospital only; extras only.
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Yes, absolutely. Extras and hospital are completely separate. You can have extras only, hospital only, both (combined or as separate policies), or neither.
The common scenario for extras-only: a young professional under the MLS threshold, comfortable with public hospitals, with regular dental and optical needs, who wants to save money rather than pay for hospital cover they won't use.
Note: extras-only does NOT help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge. Only hospital cover (or a combined policy with a hospital component) counts for MLS.
Hospital waiting periods you've already served transfer immediately — you don't re-serve them. New extras waiting periods you serve from scratch: 2 months for general extras (dental, optical, physio), and longer for any extras-specific major services (check your policy).
Example: you've had hospital-only for 2 years and switch to combined. Hospital benefits are available immediately; extras benefits carry a 2-month waiting period from the switch date.
Tip: if you're switching insurers (not just adding extras), make sure the new policy starts BEFORE you cancel the old one, to maintain continuous cover and transfer your hospital waiting periods.
Yes. There's no requirement to get both from the same insurer. It makes sense when Insurer A has the best hospital rates for your situation, Insurer B has the best extras rates, and combined from either insurer is more expensive than separate.
The downside: two policies to manage (two renewals, two sets of paperwork), and you miss out on the combined discount if one insurer's bundle is actually cheaper.
Example: hospital from HCF at $200/month plus extras from nib at $50/month = $250/month, against combined from HCF at $275/month or from nib at $285/month. In this case separate policies save $25–35/month.
Basic hospital cover is the minimum required to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge. Typical cost: $80–140/month (single) as of February 2026, varying by age and insurer. It covers very little — often just the bare minimum to meet MLS requirements, so don't expect to actually use it for procedures.
Why get it if you won't use it? At $120k income (2025-26 rates), the MLS surcharge is 1.25% = $1,500/year, against roughly $1,200–1,400/year for Basic hospital. You save $100–300/year and get some coverage — plus you avoid Lifetime Health Cover loading if you're over 30.
Some insurers specialise in low-cost Basic tier to capture the MLS-avoidance market, so compare policies specifically.
Step 1 — track last year's spending: dental, optical, physio/chiro/massage, other (podiatry, psychology, etc.), and total it.
Step 2 — compare to the premium: extras premium × 12 = your annual cost. A typical policy covers 70–80% of your spending, up to the annual limits.
Step 3 — calculate value: if the covered amount exceeds the premium by $100–200 it's worth it; if it's within about $100 either way you break even (worth it for peace of mind and unexpected needs); if the covered amount is more than $200 below the premium, you're overpaying.
Example — Rachel: dental $600/year, optical $400 every 2 years (= $200/year), physio $0, total $800/year. Her extras premium is $60/month = $720/year, and the policy covers ~$700 of her $800 spending — so she roughly breaks even. Her decision: keep extras for peace of mind and unexpected dental work, but watch for better-value policies.
Yes, but you'll serve NEW waiting periods for newly covered treatments. Contact your insurer to upgrade; it's typically effective immediately. Everything Bronze covered stays available with no new waiting periods, while the new Silver benefits (treatments Bronze didn't cover) carry a 12-month waiting period from the upgrade date.
Example: you have Bronze (excludes joint replacements) and upgrade to Silver (includes them). Joint replacement coverage starts 12 months from the upgrade; everything Bronze covered is available immediately.
Best time to upgrade: now, if you're planning surgery in 12+ months (pregnancy, joint replacement), and before April 1 to avoid paying the increased premium on the higher tier. Worst time: right before you need the upgraded benefit — you'll still wait 12 months.
You have two options.
Option 1 — family combined policy: covers hospital for all family members plus extras for all. The kids primarily use extras, you primarily use hospital. Pro: convenience, one policy. Con: you might pay for hospital cover for kids you don't need.
Option 2 — separate policies strategically: your hospital on a single or couple policy, and the kids' extras on an extras-only policy (some insurers offer child-only extras). Pro: you only pay for coverage you'll actually use. Con: managing multiple policies.
Compare (your hospital single/couple + kids' extras-only) against a family combined policy, and choose whichever is cheaper.
Note: orthodontics (braces) often has separate limits ($1,500–3,000) even on comprehensive extras, and often requires a 12-month waiting period. Plan ahead if kids will need braces. Some insurers offer child-only extras policies at lower rates than adding kids to an adult policy.
Next steps.
Now that you understand the three coverage types, here's what to do next:
If you've decided what you need
- See every hospital policy side by side:Compare hospital cover
- See every extras policy side by side:Compare extras cover
- See the bundles in one place:Compare combined policies
Calculate your costs
Work out what you'd actually pay:
- Personalised pricing for your situation:Get personalised quotes
- Check what you're paying now against the market:Compare your current policy
Understand the requirements
If you're still unsure
- Answer a few questions and we'll narrow it down:What coverage do I need?
Learn more
External resources
- Official government comparison sitePrivateHealth.gov.au
- MLS thresholds and rebate informationAustralian Taxation Office
- Policy and regulatory informationDepartment of Health
General information only: this guide provides general information about hospital, extras, and combined health insurance coverage types. It does not take into account your individual circumstances, health needs, or financial situation. For personalised advice, consult a licensed financial adviser or contact insurers directly.
Not financial or insurance advice: this content does not constitute financial or insurance advice. It is educational information to help you understand the differences between coverage types.
Data currency: all pricing information is current as of February 2026 and should be verified with insurers for current rates. Government rebate and Medicare Levy Surcharge data reflects 2025-26 financial year rates (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). Always verify current thresholds and rates before making decisions.
Sources: information sourced from PrivateHealth.gov.au, the Australian Taxation Office, and February 2026 market data analysis.
Independence: we are an independent comparison service not affiliated with any health insurer. We may receive commissions from some insurers when users purchase policies. This does not affect how we present information.
Last updated: February 26, 2026 · Next review scheduled: May 2026 · Found something incorrect or outdated?Contact us
