How much does home and contents insurance cost?
To give you an idea of the potential cost of home insurance, Canstar Research has calculated the average annual home and contents insurance premiums across the country for policies on our database. The table shows the average costs for both home and contents insurance if purchased separately, as well as for combined policies.
Average home insurance costs by state and territory
State or | Home | Contents | Home & |
|---|---|---|---|
NSW | $2,413 | $611 | $2,805 |
VIC | $2,104 | $525 | $2,425 |
QLD | $3,029 | $623 | $3,362 |
North | $4,295 | $906 | $4,886 |
SA | $1,763 | $483 | $2,061 |
WA | $2,016 | $509 | $2,318 |
TAS | $1,995 | $506 | $2,303 |
NT | $4,749 | $933 | $5,340 |
National | $2,600 | $605 | $2,970 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au - 27/08/2026. Based on policies rated in Canstar's 2026 Home & Contents Insurance Awards (August 2026), for a range of addresses, property assumptions and building sum insured amounts. *North QLD is defined as the portion of Queensland north of, but not including, Rockhampton.
To put this into perspective, the average cost of a home and contents insurance policy is about $7.68 a day in New South Wales, $6.64 a day in Victoria, and $9.21 a day in southern Queensland. Home and contents insurance in WA might cost you $6.35 per day.
What determines the cost of home insurance?
Factors that increase the risk of damage or destruction to your home and contents—and therefore increase the likelihood of a payout—will typically increase the cost of your home insurance.
Here are some of the variables insurers look at when determining the cost of your policy:
- Whether you’re covering your home, contents, or both
- How much you choose to cover your home and contents for (sum insured or total replacement cover)
- If you decide to add any optional types of cover, such as accidental damage, cover for portable items and motor burnout
- The excess amount you choose (what you contribute when making a claim)
- Your claims history
- Where you live (for example, if you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters or has a high crime rate)
- Characteristics of your home like the materials used to build it, the age and condition of your roof etc.
- The security features you have—for example, a home alarm system.
Is the cost of home insurance going up?
Average home and contents insurance costs rose by $120 (5.41%) in 2026 compared to national averages the previous year. Home building and contents insurance both rose by $110 (5.41%) and $18 (4.95%) respectively.
Why is home insurance so expensive in Australia?
Home insurance costs continue to rise in Australia due to inflationary pressures and the impacts of global warming and increasing extreme weather events. Extreme weather events accounted for $4.8 billion in insured costs in 2025, with a large portion of those attributed to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, says The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).
How to save on your home insurance premiums
If you’re looking for ways to save on home insurance premiums, there are several steps you can take to help lower the cost of your policy. From comparing home insurance providers and discounts to adjusting your excess and payment options, understanding what affects your premium can help you find better value cover without sacrificing protection:
- Check out the latest home insurance deals and discounts, or consider buying your policy online or as a combined home and contents policy.
- Think about increasing your excess. Your excess is the amount you contribute towards each insurance claim you make. Generally, the higher your policy’s excess, the lower your premium will be. If you’re considering increasing your excess, make sure you can afford to pay this amount in the event you need to make a claim.
- Some providers may offer lower premiums if you install safety and security features such as home alarm systems and security screens.
- Pay your insurance premiums annually rather than monthly.
- Shop around and compare your options.
Canstar's price guide shows how a policy's premiums compare to the broader market, based on a range of quotes and assumptions across different insurance providers. Premiums are classified as:
- $ - lower than the market average,
- $$ - generally in line with the market average, or
- $$$ - higher than the market average.
Canstar Research data shows you could save up to $865 by switching from the average $$$ policy to a $ policy. That said, it's important to also compare the coverage on offer to ensure your home has adequate protection.
| Average | Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
NSW | $3,072 | $1,937 | $1,135 |
VIC | $2,492 | $1,704 | $788 |
QLD | $3,550 | $2,418 | $1,132 |
North | $5,008 | $3,710 | $1,298 |
SA | $2,081 | $1,349 | $732 |
WA | $2,495 | $1,323 | $1,172 |
TAS | $2,487 | $1,505 | $982 |
NT | $5,103 | $4,349 | $754 |
National | $3,078 | $2,213 | $865 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au - 27/08/2026. Based on policies rated in Canstar's 2026 Home & Contents Insurance Awards (August 2026), for a range of addresses, property assumptions and building sum insured amounts. Canstar’s price guide shows how a policy's premiums compare to the broader market. It classifies premiums as ‘$’ lower than the market average, ‘$$’ generally in line with the market average, or ‘$$$’ higher than the market average, based on a range of quotes and assumptions across different insurance providers. *North QLD is defined as the portion of Queensland north of, but not including, Rockhampton.
Is home and contents insurance tax-deductible if I work from home?
Employees working from home generally can’t claim deductions for occupancy expenses like home insurance, according to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). However, you may be able to claim occupancy expenses if you can show that the area of your home you use for work is exclusively or almost exclusively used for work purposes.
How do I pay for home insurance?
Premiums can be paid annually or in regular instalments, for example monthly or fortnightly. It’s worth being aware that some providers may charge higher overall premiums if you choose to pay in instalments.
Direct debit could be an option you consider (if your provider offers it), as it may help you pay your premiums on time. If you miss a payment, this could void or cancel your home insurance policy. For example, if you don’t pay a monthly premium instalment within 14 days after the deadline, some providers may refuse to pay a claim. In addition, your insurance provider may cancel your policy altogether if an instalment is a month or more overdue.
