Cheap Health Insurance
The table below displays a range of hospital and extra health insurance policies from our Online Partners. The table is sorted by premium per month (lowest to highest).

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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Monthly premium (approx) (Low-High) , then Star Rating (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, which impact the results displayed in the table - filters can be applied or removed at any time.
About cheap health insurance
The cost of living can leave household budgets thinly stretched, and many people may be looking for cheap health insurance to help save on cover. Taking out low-cost health insurance can also help you avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge, though this may depend in part upon the level of cover you take out.
Health insurance is optional in Australia, and permanent residents and Australian citizens can rely on Medicare to pay some or all of the costs of essential health care. But Medicare doesn’t pay for all medical services.
Medicare generally won’t pay for the cost of being a private patient, ambulance services, or out-of-hospital services such as dental, physiotherapy, glasses or hearing aids.
Also, without the benefit of private health cover you could face a lengthy wait for elective surgery – surgery that is medically necessary but which can be delayed for at least 24 hours.
Depending on your circumstances, it can often be worth taking out private health insurance. If you choose a basic level of cover, it can be surprisingly affordable. However, you may find that cheap health insurance doesn’t provide cover for as many services as a more expensive policy.
It’s important to understand exactly what your premiums are buying. Consider shopping around and comparing policies and providers so you can be confident your health insurance ticks all the boxes for your needs.
How much does cheap health insurance cost?
Premiums on health insurance vary widely, depending on factors such as:
- your choice of health fund,
- your state or territory,
- your age, and
- whether you have previously held health cover.
The best way to know how much you will pay for basic level hospital cover is to compare costs across a variety of health funds.
Canstar research has found that the average cost of combined hospital and extras health insurance for a single person is:
- ‘Young person’ under 36 years old – $3,199 a year (about $267/mth)
- ‘Established person’ between 36 and 59 years of age – $3,719 a year (about $310/mth)
- ‘Mature person’ aged 60+ – $4,176 a year (about $348/mth)
Cheap health insurance could cost much less than this, though you likely won’t enjoy as comprehensive a level of coverage.
How can you save money on health insurance?
Some of the options that could help you to pay less for health insurance could include:
Take out less cover
Opting for hospital-only or extras-only health insurance cover could mean paying less in premiums than for combined hospital and extras health insurance. However, you may not have the health cover you want available when you need it.
Raise your excess
Choosing to pay more out of your own pocket when making a claim could help you to save money on health insurance premiums. Consider whether this could affect the overall value offered by your health insurance.
Avoid extras
Some insurers may offer optional extras with their health insurance policies, such as specific types of cover or even access to bonuses and rewards. But if you doubt you’ll use these extras under normal circumstances for you, you could consider opting out of this extra cover to pay a bit less in health insurance premiums.
Look for discounts and specials and deals
A health insurer may offer a discount or incentive to new customers to encourage new members to sign up. Depending on your household’s finances and your personal goals, these deals and specials could offer extra value for money, though it’s worth carefully considering whether a policy is right for you before signing up.
Frequently Asked Questions about cheap health insurance
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Canstar Star Ratings and Awards
Looking for an award-winning product or to switch providers or brands? Canstar rates products based on price and features in our Star Ratings and Awards. Our expert Research team shares insights about which products offer 5-Star value and which providers offer outstanding value overall. We also reveal which providers have the most satisfied customers in our dedicated Customer Satisfaction Awards.
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About our finance experts
Mark Bristow, Senior Finance Content Producer

Joshua Sale, GM, Research

As Canstar’s Ratings Manager, Josh Sale is responsible for the methodology and delivery of Canstar’s Health Insurance Star Ratings and Awards. With tertiary qualifications in economics and finance, Josh has worked behind the scenes for the last five years to develop Star Ratings and Awards that help connect consumers with the right product for them.
Josh is passionate about helping consumers get hands-on with their finances. Josh has been interviewed by media outlets such as the Australian Financial Review, news.com.au and Money Magazine.
You can follow Josh on LinkedIn, and Canstar on X and Facebook.
Important information
For those that love the detail
This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.