Health insurance premiums are set to rise again in 2026, with average increases announced as 4.41%. 

This would mark the steepest hike since 2018, bringing the cumulative average premium increase to a staggering 16.77% over the past 5 years. Mind you, that's just the average across all insurers - some have elected to hike premiums well above this, with at least 9 funds lifting their premiums by more than the 4.41%.**

With Australians facing mounting pressures to manage their health cover costs Compare Club is on hand to help you cut the cost of your premiums before prices rise, while still keeping a comparable level of cover.

Paying too much?

Australia: We saved our average customer $300* on their average annual premium! Select your age below and see how much you could save!

Just meMe and my partnerMy familyMe and my kid(s)

What does 2026’s health insurance price increase mean for you?

If you’ve left your health policy on set and forget in recent years, you could end up paying significantly more than you need to - and who has spare dollars to flush away in 2026?

For instance, according to Compare Club data the average couples policy has gone up by an average of $960 since 2021.*

The impact of this hike varies across age groups and policy types. Here's a breakdown of how much more people could be paying in 2026*, based on the average 4.41% increase:

• Family: Additional $235, with a new annual premium of $5,564.

• Single Parent Family: Increase of $177, bringing the total to $4,205.

• Single: $119 more, totalling $2,836.

• Couple: Up by $266 to $6,319

Choose your life stage.

I’m looking at health cover for…

Just meMe and my partnerMy familyMe and my kid(s)

Choose your life stage.

I’m looking at health cover for…

Just meMe and my partnerMy familyMe and my kid(s)

Do you still need your health insurance?

You might be tempted to drop your health insurance altogether, but consider this: waiting times for public hospital procedures are at record highs. 

For the 25 most common procedures, the wait can be up to 12 months. And over 41% of superannuation early releases have been used to cover medical and dental costs in the past few years.^^

By staying appropriately insured, you gain faster access to essential services and avoid long queues in the public system. Moreover, if you're over 30, every year you delay taking out eligible hospital cover adds a 2% Lifetime Health Cover Loading to your premium, making health care even more expensive for you in the long run.

But the good news is there’s a way to get back in control of your health insurance costs.

Want 5 tips to beat the 2026 health cover price hike?

1. Review your cover now Don’t pay for cover you don’t need. Young singles generally don’t need pregnancy or cataract coverage, and older Australians don’t need fertility treatments. Reviewing your cover regularly using a service like Compare Club can help you avoid unnecessary costs - and switching to a better value insurer can deliver you savings today.

2. Compare your cover With premium increases coming into effect by 1st April, many funds offer sweeteners to attract new customers, such as free weeks of cover or waived waiting periods. Take advantage of these opportunities to lower the cost of your health cover this year.

3. Think long-term Dropping health insurance may save you some dollars now, but your long-term costs, including delays in accessing treatment, can mean you pay a lot more when you’re older and require more healthcare. For many Australians, their health is not worth the risk. It’s smarter to switch rather than ditch.

4. Look to switch without waiting periods You can switch to cheaper, equivalent health cover without a waiting periods do-over. Ask us how.

5. Outsource to the experts Health insurance fine print can be confusing, and comparing policies against your health needs takes time. Consulting a Compare Club health insurance expert can help you find a great value policy in minutes, not hours.#

Take control of your health care - and your budget - in 2026

By comparing policies and switching insurers, you could save hundreds while ensuring you get the healthcare you deserve. Whether you’re a single professional, a young family, or nearing retirement, now is the time to act.

Don’t let rising premiums derail your health, or your savings. Speak to a Compare Club health cover expert today.

Disclaimers: ^^Elective Surgery Waiting Times in Public Hospitals **Average annual changes in health insurance premiums 2026 *Based on Compare Club internal data analysis of policies sold since 2021. #Compare Club compares selected products from a panel of trusted insurers. We do not compare all products in the market.