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We compare many of Australia’s leading Private Health Funds

We have great relationships with a wide range of Health Insurers. View our full range of providers

ahmAustralian UnityBupaFrank Health InsuranceGMHBA Health InsuranceHCFLatrobe HealthnibPeoplecare Health InsuranceTUH Health Fund

iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all policies offered by our partners in your area. Not all policies or special offers are available to all customers and some may only be available over the phone or on the website. Learn more.

Health Insurance for every life stage 

Our health needs evolve over time. Happily, your Health Insurance can evolve right along with your lifestyle and budget.
Whether you’re moving out of home, starting a family, or enjoying the fruits of retirement, there’s a policy for you.  

Health Insurance by cover type 

When choosing Private Health Insurance, there’s a number of options to consider. To help your decision, here’s a breakdown of each of them.

Hospital and Extras

The best of both worlds, this type of cover brings your Hospital and Extras Policies together in one convenient package. You might also hear it referred to as Combined Cover.

Hospital and Extras Cover >

Hospital Cover

Hospital Cover helps with the costs of hospital treatment as a private patient. With this type of cover, you can choose your own doctor and you might have a shorter wait for elective surgery.

Hospital Cover >

Extras Cover

This type of cover helps with the cost of treatments that aren’t covered by Medicare. Think healthcare services that usually take place outside a hospital, like dental, optical, and physio.

Extras Cover >

Ambulance Cover

While some states offer free emergency Ambulance Cover, unfortunately it’s not the case everywhere.  If your state doesn’t, Ambulance Cover can help cover transport costs in an emergency.

Ambulance Cover >

Why buy with iSelect?

Our people are experts in comparison. They draw from our more than 20 years of experience to help you find
a better deal on your Health Insurance, Energy, Car Insurance, Internet, Home and Contents Insurance, and more.

Our service costs you nothing and comes with no obligation to purchase. Instead of charging you a fee, our partner funds pay us a commission. Learn more about how we make money

We don’t mark up the price of our policies, so you’ll pay the same as buying direct from the Health Fund.*

*Excluding corporate discounts and exclusive retail offers

If we can’t find you a better deal, we’ll be honest about it and tell you to stay exactly where you are 

Our comparison experts are based in Australia, like you. When it comes to navigating the complexities of the Aussie health system, they know what’s what 

While our service is provided to you completely free of charge, we know there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Great Health Insurance offers from our partners

ahm

Get 1 month free, with 2 and 6 month waiting periods waived for extras on eligible hospital + extras cover
Offer ends 30/11/24 T&Cs apply

Australian Unity

Get 4 weeks free on eligible hospital + extras and extras only cover
Offer ends 24/11/24 T&Cs apply

Frank

Get 2 and 6 month waiting periods waived for extras on eligible hospital + extras cover
Offer ends 31/12/24 T&Cs apply
GMHBA partner

GMHBA

Get 2 and 6 month waiting periods waived for extras on eligible hospital + extras cover
Offer ends 31/12/24 T&Cs apply

HCF

Get 6 weeks free, with 2 month waiting periods waived for extras on eligible hospital + extras cover
Offer ends 09/12/24 T&Cs apply

nib

Get 6 weeks free on eligible extras policies
Offer ends 30/11/24 T&Cs apply

Don't just take our word for it…

Need help understanding Health Insurance?

Do I need Health Insurance?

Do I need Health Insurance? 

Private Health Insurance works alongside Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system. Hospital Cover lets you get treated in hospital as a private patient. That can mean more choice of doctors and shorter wait times for elective surgery. There could be tax benefits, too. 

Extras Cover can be helpful if you regularly get treatments not covered by Medicare, like dental, physio or optical. 

The Medicare Levy Surcharge

The Medicare Levy Surcharge 

Most taxpayers pay the Medicare Levy. The Medicare Levy Surcharge, on the other hand, is an additional tax for high-income earners – specifically singles earning over $97,000 or couples earning over $194,000. It’s designed to encourage people to take out Hospital Cover.  

If you earn more than these amounts and don’t have Hospital Cover, you’ll have to pay an additional 1–1.5% in tax. Take out Hospital Cover to avoid paying more on your taxes.  

Government rebate for Health Insurance

Government rebate for Health Insurance 

Depending on your income, you could be eligible for the Private Health Insurance Rebate. The lower your income, the higher the rebate. You can claim it when you file your taxes or as a reduction in your premiums. 

Avoid paying extra down the track

Avoid paying extra down the track

Lifetime Health Cover Loading is a government penalty to encourage people to get Health Insurance earlier. If you wait until you’re over 31 to get Hospital Cover, you’ll likely have to pay more for several years. 

Waiting periods for treatment

Waiting periods for treatment 

You might think you’d have to re-serve waiting periods if you switched policies. Not true! Hospital waiting periods you’ve served are protected by law if you switch to an equal or lower level of cover. 

‘I love finding policies that match my customers’ priorities, their health needs, and their budget. It’s really rewarding getting to know people and figuring out how I can help.’

Nicole, Comparison Expert – Health
318 customers helped since October 2023

Which policies do iSelect customers choose? 

You can buy Hospital Cover and Extras Cover separately, or together as a Combined Policy.  

iSelect customers have shown they enjoy the convenience and peace of mind of having the additional coverage of combined Hospital and Extras Cover.  

In fact, between 2019 and 2023, the number of our customers buying Combined Policies increased from 66% to 73%. 

Compare Health Insurance

Health Insurance in Australia can be pretty complicated. Let our comparison experts
simplify the process and help you find a policy that suits you.

Your Health Insurance questions answered

What is Private Health Insurance?

How does Health Insurance work?

What does Private Health Insurance cover?

What is excess and ‘the gap’ in Health Insurance?

Do pensioners need Private Health Insurance?

Does Medicare cover ambulances?

What does Private Health Insurance cover that Medicare doesn’t?

How can I find the cheapest Health Insurance Policy in Australia?

Mark’s top tips for getting a good deal on your Health Insurance 

1. Don’t set and forget. Our health needs and financial circumstances change throughout our lives. Ask yourself, ‘What do I need to be covered for?’ Review your policy regularly to make sure you’re not paying for things you don’t need and that you’re covered for the things you do.  

2. Could a higher excess save you money on your premium? Generally, the higher the excess or co-payment you are willing to pay, the lower your monthly premium will be. If you think it’s unlikely you’ll be admitted to hospital in the near future, opting for a higher excess could help bring down the cost of your premiums.  

3. Offers, deals and freebies. Funds may offer incentives at different times of the year, which can be a good time to shop around for a better deal. But don’t be distracted by a one-off discount or promotion.  Make sure the policy is suited to your needs and provides ongoing value for money.  

4. The Extras. There is a wide variation between funds on what services are offered and what you’ll get back under Extras Cover. Do you even need Extras? If the answer is yes, it may be worth considering a  flexible policy that combines your separate Extras limits into a single annual limit for you to spend on services you use the most.  

5. Waiting periods are protected. Did you know that any Hospital waiting periods you’ve already served will be protected by law if you switch to an equivalent or lower level of Hospital Cover? Many people stick with an outdated or expensive policy because they mistakenly believe they’ll have to re-serve waiting periods if they switch, but it simply isn’t true!  

Want to know more about Health Insurance?

Compare Health Insurance

Health Insurance in Australia can be pretty complicated. Let our comparison experts
simplify the process and help you find a policy that suits you.

iSelect does not compare all health insurance providers or policies in the market. The availability of policies will change from time to time. Not all policies available from its providers are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements, your stated needs and circumstances, not all policies compared by iSelect are available to all customers. Some policies and special offers are available only from iSelect’s contact centre or website. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers