How Much Should Singles Expect to Pay for Health Insurance in 2026?
Published March 27, 2026
Having private health insurance is a way for single Australians to get a bit more control of their healthcare whether you want to jump the queue with shorter waiting times or get access to more specialists and private hospital options.
What is the average cost of private health insurance for singles Australia?
The cost of best health insurance for singles in Australia varies depending on the level of cover, age, and location. Below is a breakdown of the average cost of the cheap health insurance for singles in Australia in different types of cover including combined Hospital and Extras Cover, Hospital Cover, Extras-Only Cover.
1. Hospital Only Cover
While this is a bit cheaper, it is also a good option because it will cover you in hospital. You will not receive any of the extra benefits that come with having cover for dental, optical, and physio.
The cost for singles under 65 varies between:
- Basic cover: $77.69 – $99.45 per month; average monthly premiums $88.57
- Bronze cover: $93.70 – $132.53 per month; average monthly premiums $113.12
- Silver cover: $122.55 – $290.00 per month; average monthly premiums $206.28
- Gold cover: $248.90 – $343.60 per month; average monthly premiums $296.25
2. Extras-only cover
If you are interested in having extras cover only, that is, cover for services that are not provided in a hospital, then you can get this type of cover at the lowest cost. This is what is referred to as extras-only cover. The research indicates that extras cover has an average cost of $99.89, which is discounted to $75.31 after rebates. However, this may be lower or higher than this amount, depending on the policy, reaching a maximum of $196.30.
3. Combined hospital and extras cover
If you’re a single person thinking of combining both hospital and extras cover, you may be able to save money by having one single policy, rather than two separate ones. I.e., one combined policy, rather than two separate hospital and extras policies. However, you’ll need to shop around to ensure that you’re getting adequate cover for your needs, and that it fits within your budget.
Tips on how to reduce your health insurance costs
- Choose a higher excess: Selecting a higher excess when you take out your private health insurance policy from independent health insurance broker Australia can keep your premiums low.
- Look for age-based discounts: If you’re under 30, you can get a discount that will last into your 40s.
Having private health insurance is a way for single Australians to get a bit more control of their healthcare whether you want to jump the queue with shorter waiting times or get access to more specialists and private hospital options.
What affects the cost of private health insurance for singles?
There are a number of different elements that may affect the cost of singles health insurance plans Australia that you will be able to purchase as a single person, including but not limited to:
1. Level of Cover
There are four levels of health insurance in Australia: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level has a different number of procedures that it will cover, but it’s safe to say that the more money you spend, the more procedures you’ll be able to have done.
- Basic: This is the cheapest option that will cover the most basic procedures. Expect limited hospital cover and limited benefits.
- Bronze: This option has a bit more ‘bang for your buck’ and will cover a few more procedures than the Basic option.
- Silver: This option has a much wider range of procedures that it will cover, including some common surgeries.
- Gold: This option has the most procedures that it will cover, including common and not-so-common surgeries, as well as specialty procedures such as pregnancy and obstetrics.
2. Excess
Most policies will allow you to choose an excess. This is an amount that you’re prepared to pay if you’re ever hospitalized and need treatment. You can choose a higher excess that will reduce your premiums. However, this will mean that you pay more if you do go to hospital.
3. Government Rebates and Discounts
The Australian government offers a rebate to help pay for private health insurance. Be aware that this is income-tested. However, if you’re under 65 and earn under $97,000 a year, this can reduce your premiums by up to 24.608%. Even if you’re earning a little bit more than this, you can still qualify for a decent kickback to make your premiums more affordable.
To conclude
When making the right choice, it is essential to consider the services that you will use in the future. Comparing health insurance quotes for singles Australia online is the best way to compare the different policies available in the market. Utility Market as the leading health insurance broker for families is here to assist single Australians in finding the right balance in health insurance policies without straining their finances.
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