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Our experts can help your family get a better deal on health insurance.
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Our dedicated Health Insurance experts are here to help. Updated 23 Mar 2026.
10 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer available when you join as a new member on an eligible combined Hospital and Extras policy. You need to maintain cover until 27 May 2026 to receive the 10 weeks free. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
10 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Join Australian Unity through Money.com.au on eligible products and get 10 weeks free (6 weeks free in year 1, plus 4 weeks free in year 2). New members only. Offer ends 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply.*
8 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, 2-month waiting periods waived on Extras. HCF will apply four weeks free after 90 days and another 4 weeks after 12 months. Offer is for eligible members who join HCF via any channel between 17 Feb 2026 and 20 Apr 2026. T&Cs apply*.
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Offer available through Money.com.au when you join on an eligible Hospital and Extras policy. In most cases, the 6 weeks free is applied 28 days after you join. New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer is only available to a person who purchases an eligible product and opts to pay by direct debit for fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, or six-monthly. Offer ends 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer available when you join as a new member on an eligible combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 9 April 2026. T&Cs apply.*
6 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Join ahm through Money.com.au on an eligible combined policy and get 6 weeks free after maintaining continuous cover for 60 days. New members only. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
4 weeks free
On combined Hospital and Extras cover
Plus, skip 2 & 6-month waiting periods on Extras. Offer available when you join as a new member on an eligible combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
Skip 2 & 6 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.*
Skip 2 & 6 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.*
Skip 2 & 4 month waits
On eligible Extras services
Offer available when you join as a new member on a combined Hospital and Extras policy. Offer excludes Extras-only and Hospital-only policies. Offer ends 31 March 2026. T&Cs apply.*
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Family health insurance provides coverage for all members of your family under a single policy, including parents and dependent children. The extent of coverage depends on the policy, helping to cover various medical expenses and treatments outside of Australia’s public health system, Medicare.
While family health cover is similar to singles or couples health insurance, it’s specifically designed to meet the needs of families, offering benefits that cater to both adults and children.
Around half of all Hospital policies are family policies, according to the most recent health insurance statistics in Australia. We recently surveyed more than 1,000 people and 31% of respondents said they were on a family health insurance policy.
The Federal Government has approved an average private health insurance premium increase of 4.41% for 2026, with the new prices taking effect from 1 April.
It’s the largest rise in several years and is being attributed to higher healthcare costs.
On average, families can expect to pay around $216 more per year. That estimate is based on a combined family policy currently costing about $4,908 annually.
Family health insurance comes in three types: Hospital-only, Extras-only, or combined Hospital and Extras cover. For family health cover, all members included on the policy will have the same type of coverage – you can’t mix and match different options for each person.
Covers all family members for costs related to being treated as private patients in both public and private hospitals. For example, it can help cover expenses for surgery, including medical costs, as well as related costs like accommodation, transport and meals during a hospital stay.
Families can choose the level of Hospital cover that suits their needs (Basic, Bronze, Silver or Gold), with varying inclusions and coverage levels depending on the plan selected. With a family hospital policy, all family members will be covered under the same level of cover.
If you want coverage for common childhood procedures, such as tonsils, adenoids and grommets, you’ll need to select an appropriate level of hospital cover, usually from the Bronze level and higher. A two-month waiting period typically applies for tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy procedures, or 12 months for pre-existing conditions.
Provides coverage for various out-of-hospital treatments and expenses, such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more. Similar to Hospital cover, the inclusions and limits depend on the level of Extras cover you choose.
However, the coverage under Extras policies isn’t as clearly defined as Hospital cover, so it’s important to review what is specifically covered and the limits for each service when comparing policies for your family.
Under family health insurance, all members will generally be covered by the same level of Extras cover. You can’t choose different inclusions for each family member — everyone will share the same benefits. If you want tailored coverage for different family members, you would need to take out separate policies.
Depending on the policy, claim limits for Extras cover may apply per person or as a total limit for the whole family (i.e. annual limit of $750 for general dental). It’s important to check this before signing up to ensure you get the best value from your policy.
There are several key moments in life when family health insurance becomes particularly important. Here are some of the more common triggers:
When you’re planning to have children or are expecting, family health insurance can provide coverage for pregnancy and childbirth. However, these benefits are typically only available with higher levels of cover. It’s also important to note that there’s usually a 12-month waiting period before you can make a claim for pregnancy and childbirth-related expenses.
As your family grows, a family health insurance plan allows you to cover everyone under one policy, making it easier to manage. It’s also a time when children begin needing regular dental checkups, and having Extras cover can help with these costs.
As your children reach their teenage or early adult years, family health insurance can continue to cover their medical needs until they reach the typical age limit of 21, or 31 if they’re still studying (subject to terms and conditions). During this time, there may be an increased need for optical, chiropractic, and orthodontic services.
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance at Money.com.au
"Some children can stay on their parents' family policy until they turn 31, as long as they meet certain conditions, such as studying full-time and not being married or in a de facto relationship. If multiple children qualify, this can significantly reduce costs since you only pay for one family policy instead of individual singles coverage for each child. Just be sure to ask your children to contribute their share of the premium."
Chris Whitelaw, General Manager - Health Insurance at Money.com.au
The cost of family health insurance ranges from $174–$541 per month for hospital cover and around $124 per month for extras cover.
But it'll depend on several factors, including the level of cover you choose, the ages of the family members, and the provider you select. Your income can also influence the premiums you pay, as there are rebates on offer based on how much you and your spouse earn in a year.
Family premiums can be expensive, but incentives like the Private Health Insurance Rebate can help lower the cost for eligible families.
To give you an idea of potential costs, here’s an example based on quotes from some of Australia’s largest health funds. This example compares the cost of family health insurance for a couple (both aged 35) with two dependent children under 21 living in NSW, with a combined income under $202,000.
The cover includes each provider’s most basic level of hospital cover and a medium level of Extras, covering services like emergency ambulance, general and major dental, optical, and physiotherapy. Keep in mind that the final premium can vary based on the specific level of cover, the insurer, and your location.
Provider | Bupa |
|---|---|
Basic Hospital (per month) | $162.78 (Basic Accident Only Hospital) |
Extras (per month) | $75.45 (Freedom 60 Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $238.23 (Basic Accident Only Hospital & Freedom 60 Extras) |
Provider | HCF |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $165.50 (Hospital Basic Plus) |
Extras (per month) | $73.31 (Mid Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $238.81 (Hospital Basic Plus & Mid Extras) |
Provider | HBF |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $169.72 (Basic Hospital Plus) |
Extras (per month) | $76.77 (Flex 50) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $246.49 (Basic Hospital Plus & Flex 50) |
Provider | nib |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $178.76 (Basic Care Hospital Plus) |
Extras (per month) | $79.64 (Core Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $258.40 (Basic Accident Hospital & Core Extras) |
Provider | Medibank |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $186.25 (Medibank Bronze Plus Value) |
Extras (per month) | $99.79 (Growing Family Extras Only) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $286.04 (Medibank Bronze Plus Growing Family Extras) |
Provider | Australian Unity |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $201.54 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus) |
Extras (per month) | $87.40 (Focus Extras) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $288.94 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus & Focus Extras) |
Provider | GMHBA |
Basic Hospital (per month) | $166.85 (Accident Only Hospital Basic) |
Extras (per month) | $123.00 (SmartCare Everyday Boost) |
Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) | $289.90 (Accident Only Hospital Basics & SmartCare Everyday Boost |
| Provider | Basic Hospital (per month) | Extras (per month) | Combined Hospital and Extras (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
Bupa | $162.78 (Basic Accident Only Hospital) | $75.45 (Freedom 60 Extras) | $238.23 (Basic Accident Only Hospital & Freedom 60 Extras) |
HCF | $165.50 (Hospital Basic Plus) | $73.31 (Mid Extras) | $238.81 (Hospital Basic Plus & Mid Extras) |
HBF | $169.72 (Basic Hospital Plus) | $76.77 (Flex 50) | $246.49 (Basic Hospital Plus & Flex 50) |
nib | $178.76 (Basic Care Hospital Plus) | $79.64 (Core Extras) | $258.40 (Basic Accident Hospital & Core Extras) |
Medibank | $186.25 (Medibank Bronze Plus Value) | $99.79 (Growing Family Extras Only) | $286.04 (Medibank Bronze Plus Growing Family Extras) |
Australian Unity | $201.54 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus) | $87.40 (Focus Extras) | $288.94 (Core Hospital Bronze Plus & Focus Extras) |
GMHBA | $166.85 (Accident Only Hospital Basic) | $123.00 (SmartCare Everyday Boost) | $289.90 (Accident Only Hospital Basics & SmartCare Everyday Boost |
The latest report from the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (PHIIA) found that the average gross annual premium (GAP) for combined Hospital and Extras family policies sold by its members rose by 1.7% over the past year to $4,890 (around $408 per month).
Depending on your age, either or both of you (and your children, if applicable) may be subject to the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading, which is an additional cost on top of standard premiums. The LHC loading applies to individuals over 31 who have never had private health insurance, and it increases the longer you go without it. For couples and families, the loading is calculated based on the average of the loading for each person.
For example, let's say one partner is 35 years old and has never had private health insurance, while the other partner, also 35, has had cover since their 20s. In this case, the LHC loading applied to their family health insurance would be the average of their individual loadings: 10% (for the partner without previous cover) + 0% (for the partner with continuous cover) / 2 = 5% premium loading.
The government provides a rebate on health insurance premiums to help reduce costs, with the rebate amount based on your household income (up to an income cap). For couples and families (including single-parent families), the rebate is determined by your combined household income, with lower-income households qualifying for higher rebate levels.
The rebate amount is also influenced by the age of the oldest person on the policy. For example, if the oldest partner in the couple is over a certain age, the rebate might be slightly higher to help offset the additional costs associated with older policyholders. This is particularly the case for seniors aged 65 and over.
| Family income | Rebate % |
|---|---|
$202,000 or less | 24.288% for under 65s 28.337% for ages 65-69 32.385% for ages 70+ |
$202,001 – $236,000 | 16.192% for under 65s 20.240% for ages 65-69 24.288% for ages 70+ |
$236,001 – $316,000 | 8.095% for under 65s 12.143% for ages 65-69 16.192% for ages 70+ |
If either or both partners are under 30 years old when you take out cover, you may qualify for an age-based discount on your family health insurance. This discount is offered by some insurers (though not all) and is applied as a percentage reduction on your policy premiums.
The discount is typically 2% for every year you are under 30 at the time you sign up for cover. For example, if one partner is 26 years old (8%) and the other is 28 (4%), the discount applied would be 6% (average of each partner’s discounts). The discount remains in place until you turn 41, after which it gradually phases out.
| Person's age when they took out hospital cover | Discount that your insurer may offer |
|---|---|
18-25 | 10% |
26 | 8% |
27 | 6% |
28 | 4% |
29 | 2% |
30 | 0% |
This is not a direct cost of your family health insurance, but rather a cost you might incur if you don’t have a minimum level of hospital cover.
For families, the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS) is applied based on your combined household income, with thresholds for the 2025/26 financial year outlined below. It's important to note that the family income threshold is increased by $1,500 for each dependent child after the first child.
If your household income exceeds the applicable threshold and you don’t have the required level of hospital cover, the MLS will be applied as an additional charge on your tax bill. This is designed to encourage families to take out private health insurance and reduce the burden on the public healthcare system.
| Family income threshold | Medicare levy surcharge |
|---|---|
$202,000 or less | 0% |
$202,001 – $236,000 | 1% |
$236,001 – $316,000 | 1.25% |
$316,001 or more | 1.5% |
Some health insurance providers allow you to nominate a higher excess on family hospital cover to help reduce your premiums. The maximum excess for family policies is typically $1,500 per membership year. While increasing your excess can lower your premiums, it’s important to keep in mind that this means you’ll need to pay a higher amount out-of-pocket if you need to make a claim.
If you're covering your family under an Overseas Visitor Health Cover policy, this will almost certainly be more expensive than a standard health insurance policy. That's because it's not subsidised by the Australian Government in the same was as cover for residents is.
We recently asked Australians whether they have adult children (aged 21 or older) included on their private health insurance policy – and if so, who pays for it.
While most respondents said they don’t have adult children on their policy, 17.9% said they do and cover the full cost themselves. Another 11.3% said the cost is shared, while 8.3% noted their adult children pay the full additional amount.
You’ll notice that most insurers offer different levels of cover, such as basic, mid-range or top. While a basic policy will cover the essentials, it’s worth considering what inclusions are important to you and your family, as well as the benefit limits when it’s time to make a claim.
If you’re planning to expand your family, consider whether you want the policy to include pregnancy and childbirth coverage. Some comprehensive policies might offer this as standard, while others may require it to be added as an extra. Keep in mind there’s a 12-month waiting period that generally applies.
Premiums can vary significantly depending on the level of coverage you choose. Be mindful that the cost of premiums usually rise on 1 April every year due to inflation or changes in healthcare costs. Ensure that you compare health insurance and select a policy that fits your budget, not just now but in the future.
Some policies have claim limits that apply per person, while others may have an overall annual limit for the whole family. It’s important to understand these limits to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, especially if your family has frequent medical needs or requires more extensive treatments.
Look out for any health insurance offers or discounts that could reduce your premiums. Some insurers offer discounts for bundling health insurance with other policies, such as car or home insurance, or for being a long-term customer. Additionally, check for any seasonal promotions that might apply to your family.
Be sure to check for any waiting periods, particularly for things like pregnancy, maternity, and pre-existing conditions. Policies may have different waiting periods for various treatments, while some insurers may offer no waiting periods on certain benefits. Also, review any exclusions in the policy to ensure that your family's specific healthcare needs are covered.
In most cases, buying a family health insurance policy that covers you, your spouse and dependent children will be cheaper than taking out separate policies for each family member.
Additionally, it’s worth exploring insurers that offer discounts for bundling multiple types of coverage. For example, some health insurance providers may offer savings if you’re already a member with them for car insurance, home & contents insurance, or even travel insurance.
Just be sure to consider the overall value, including the monthly premium, the level of coverage, benefit limits and sub-limits, as well as the potential savings from bundling policies with the same insurer.
One of the benefits of private health insurance is that it covers a range of treatments, including pregnancy. But, you’ll need to choose a level of Hospital cover that specifically includes pregnancy. Furthermore, pregnancy typically comes with a 12-month waiting period, so if you’re planning to have children, it’s important to take out coverage well in advance to ensure you’re covered when the time comes.
To add a family member to your health insurance policy, you’ll need to contact your insurer and notify them of the new addition. Most providers allow you to add your spouse, children, or other eligible family members by providing their details and updating your policy. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to make the change online or over the phone.
Yes, you can remove a family member from your health insurance if you’re the policyholder or a spouse with authority. To do so, you’ll need to contact your insurance provider and inform them of the change. This can normally be done online or over the phone.
If the change is due to separation or divorce, the removed partner will usually need to switch to their own health insurance policy to avoid a gap in cover.
We have a range of health insurance partners including:
Please note, we do not compare all health funds in the market, or all policies from our partner funds, and at times certain funds or products might be unavailable.
In most cases, your children can stay on your family policy until they turn 21, but there are exceptions. If your child is aged between 21 and 31, and isn't married, they may be able to remain on the policy until they turn 31. It’s important to contact your insurer to confirm the specific terms and conditions, as these can vary depending on your policy and circumstances.
Children can typically remain on a family health insurance policy until they turn 21. If they satisfy certain conditions, this age limit may extend up to 31, depending on the insurer. Some funds also allow dependents with disabilities to stay on the policy beyond these ages.
Newborns are not automatically covered under private health insurance. You need to add your baby to your policy, usually within two or three months of birth, to ensure they're covered without serving additional waiting periods.
Insurers typically require evidence of full-time study, such as enrollment confirmation or a student ID, to continue covering dependents over 21. This documentation ensures the dependent meets the criteria for extended coverage.
Yes, many insurers allow dependents with disabilities to remain on family policies beyond the usual age limits. You'll need to provide medical documentation confirming the disability and its impact on the dependent's ability to live independently.
Policies vary, but some insurers waive the hospital excess for dependents under a certain age, often up to 25. It's essential to check with your specific insurer to understand how excess applies to adult dependents on your policy.
Private health insurance can cover childbirth costs if you have a policy that includes pregnancy and obstetrics. However, there are often waiting periods, typically 12 months, before you can claim these benefits. Out-of-pocket expenses may still apply.
IVF treatments are generally covered under high-tier hospital policies that include assisted reproductive services. Even still, there’ll be annual limits. Coverage typically applies to in-hospital procedures, while outpatient services may not be covered. Waiting periods and specific policy terms apply.
Most childhood vaccinations are provided free under the National Immunisation Program. However, some Extras policies may cover additional vaccines not included in the program, such as travel vaccinations. Coverage varies by insurer and policy.
Hospital cover can include neonatal intensive care if your policy covers pregnancy and childbirth services (typically only available on Gold policies). It's crucial to ensure your newborn is added to your policy promptly to avoid potential gaps in coverage for neonatal care.
Many family policies with Extras cover include benefits for therapies beneficial for children with autism, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology services. Coverage limits and waiting periods may apply, depending on the insurer and policy.
Yes, orthodontic treatments, including braces, are typically covered under higher-tier Extras policies. These policies often have annual and lifetime limits, as well as waiting periods, usually around 12 months. Coverage details vary by insurer.
Yes, you can add foster or adopted children to your family policy. Insurers usually require legal documentation, such as court orders or adoption papers. Adding the child within a specified timeframe ensures immediate coverage without additional waiting periods.
Once a dependent child marries or enters a de facto relationship, they are typically no longer eligible to remain on a family policy. They would need to take out their own health insurance policy to maintain coverage.
For the Medicare Levy Surcharge, the Australian Taxation Office considers your family income, including that of your spouse and dependent children. Blended families are assessed based on combined income, and having appropriate private Hospital cover can help avoid the surcharge.
Family policies do not typically cover international students. International students are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is specifically designed to meet their healthcare needs while studying in Australia.
Wisdom teeth removal is generally considered a dental procedure and is not covered under Bronze Hospital policies. However, if the procedure is performed in a hospital setting due to complications, some Bronze Hospital policies may provide benefits. Check with your insurer for specific coverage details.
Extras policies often cover physiotherapy and other rehabilitation services that can be used for sports injury recovery. Coverage limits and waiting periods apply, and it's essential to ensure the provider is recognised by your insurer.
Hospital policies that include pregnancy cover typically also cover complications arising during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes. However, specific services like dietitian consultations may fall under Extras cover. Review your policy details to understand the extent of coverage.
In Australia, while it's technically possible for both parents to hold separate health insurance policies that include the same children as dependents, it's generally not advisable. Each child can only be listed as a dependent on one policy at a time.
Listing a child on multiple policies can lead to complications with claims and may not provide additional benefits. It's important to coordinate with your health insurer to ensure that your children are appropriately covered under a single policy.
Jared Mullane is a finance writer with more than a decade of experience at some of Australia’s biggest finance and consumer brands. His areas of expertise include energy, home loans, personal finance and insurance. Jared is qualified with a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking (FNS40821).
Sean Callery is the Editor of Money.com.au. He has over 15 years of international experience. He is qualified with a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking (FNS40821) and is compliant to provide general advice in Tier 1 General Insurance (RG 146) products.
Select the offer you're interested in to view full T&Cs.
The information on this page is general in nature and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information provided and the nature of any product is suitable for you and seek independent advice if necessary.
We do not compare all health insurance providers and products available in Australia and we do not guarantee that our product comparisons include all product features and attributes relevant to you.
In providing general information on this page, we are not providing you with a recommendation or suggestion about a particular product. You should read the relevant disclosure statements or other offer documents before deciding whether to apply for or continue to use a particular product.
However, when a customer requests that we contact them regarding health insurance, after being on the Money.com.au website, we will take the information they provide into account when providing the customer with a range of health insurance product options.
We have partnered with The ItsMy Group (ABN 85 167 289 965) to form our panel of health insurance providers. If a Money.com.au insurance advisor helps you find a more suitable product and you join that health insurer, IMG receive a payment from that fund, which they pass on to us. This is normally a one-off fee but it can also be paid in increments over time.
There is no charge to consumers to use the service, and any payment we receive does not change the price you pay for the product. Our health insurance advisors do not know how much we are paid by the fund they recommend.
Both Money.com.au and The ItsMy Group are members of the Private Health Insurance Intermediaries Association (“PHIIA”) and are have signed up to the PHIIA Code of Conduct.
Our customers have access to offers from a range of health insurance partners:
Please note, we do not compare all health funds in the market, or all policies from our partner funds, and at times certain funds or products might be unavailable.
At Money.com.au, we aim to provide you with the highest level of service, but we also understand that occasionally you may not be 100% happy with us. If that’s the case, you can let us know by emailing us at support@money.com.au
If we can’t resolve your issue immediately, a senior manager will respond to you at the latest by the next business day from receipt of your enquiry. If we are still unable to resolve the matter within three days, it will be escalated to the attention of the CEO.
You could also contact your health fund or the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman’s office (PHIO):
Our Australian-based call centre is open weekdays between 9am and 5pm (AEST) with our team of experts ready to help!
You can reach us on 1300 001 359 or (02) 8528 1995.
