A Guide to Singles Health Insurance
Choosing the right private health insurance for singles can provide critical financial protection if you get sick or injured – and it can even save you money over the long run.
So whether you’re 25 or 55, having the right singles health cover can also help you avoid delays for treatment, allow you to choose your own doctor, and give you peace of mind if life takes an unexpected turn.
Key Points
Health cover for singles lets you tailor your cover to suit your own needs and budget.
Hospital cover helps avoid long public wait times, may reduce the amount of tax you pay, and ensure you’re prepared for your future health needs.
Extras cover supports common out-of-hospital treatments Medicare doesn’t fund, like dental, physio, and optical.
What does health insurance for singles include?
Singles health cover is just like any other private health insurance policy — minus the extra cost of covering a partner or kids. That makes it flexible, straightforward, and easier to customise.
You can choose:
Hospital cover; Helps with treatment costs if you’re admitted to hospital as a private patient. This may includes things like surgery, overnight stay,s and specialist fees.
Extras cover: Helps with out-of-hospital services like dental, optical, and physiotherapy. Keep in mind that annual claim limits typically apply.
Combined cover: This gives you the benefits of both hospital and extras cover in a single policy.
Learn more about health insurance with these guides
Should I get hospital cover, extras, or both?
The best health insurance for singles depends on your healthcare needs and budget.
You might want basic hospital cover if:
You want to avoid tax penalties.
You’d like shorter waits for elective surgery.
You want the option to choose your doctor.
You might want extras cover if:
You go to the dentist at least once a year.
You wear glasses or contact lenses.
You use physio, chiro, or mental health support.
❗Learn more about the cost of staying in a hospital in Australia.
What kind of hospital cover is best for singles?
Again, the best health cover for singles depends on the level of cover you need for your life stage. Hospital cover typically comes in tiers. Basic cover is usually the cheapest and provides the lowest level of cover, while Gold cover is generally the most expensive but provides the highest level of cover.
Hospital coverage tiers for singles health cover
Coverage Tier | Common Inclusions* | Who it Suits |
Basic | Accidents, limited hospital treatments | Younger singles and people wanting to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading. |
Bronze | Joint reconstructions, hernia surgery | Younger singles with active lifestyles who want additional coverage. |
Sliver | Heart, lung, gynaecology, diabetes | Older singles or singles with chronic health conditions. |
Gold | Pregnancy, hip/keen, rehab | Over 50s, or singles considering pregnancy. |
*These are general guidelines only. Actual inclusions and exclusions vary between policies. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement.
❗Learn more about health insurance for over 50s.
How much does singles health insurance cost?
Costs vary depending on what level of coverage you choose and where you live.
Basic hospital-only cover is usually the cheapest option. Gold-tier hospital coverage with comprehensive extras is generally the best private health insurance for singles in Australia, but will likely be the most expensive.
Keep in mind:
Premiums are likely to go up each year due to annual price increases.
Some funds offer age-based or direct debit discounts.
Extras policies often come with annual claim limits and waiting periods.
🎯PRO TIP!
Some singles can stay on your parents’ family policy until you’re 31. You’ll usually need to be a full-time student to stay on for free. Otherwise, your parents may need to upgrade to an extended family policy, which might cost more.
Source: Australian Government Department of Health
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
You can usually still take out singles health cover if you have a pre-existing health issue, but you may need to serve a 12-month waiting period before your coverage kicks in for that condition.
❗Learn more about pre-existing conditions and health cover.
Could I be paying more tax if I don’t have hospital cover?
Singles earning more than $97,000 who don’t hold eligible hospital cover will likely pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS).
That could be an extra 1% to 1.5% of your income that you’ll need to pay in tax every year.
Hospital-only cover is typically enough to avoid the MLS, but extras-only policies likely won’t exempt you.
Medicare Levy Surcharge Rates (2024–25)
Annual income (singles) | MLS rate |
$97,000 or less | 0% |
$97,001 – $113,000 | 1% |
$113,001 – $151,000 | 1.25% |
Over $151,001 | 1.5% |
What is Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading?
If you don’t take out hospital cover by 1 July after your 31st birthday, you could be charged a 2% loading on your premium for every year you delay — up to a maximum of 70%.
Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) Loading
Age when you first get hospital cover | Lifetime Health Cover loading you’ll pay | Extra cost on premium (based on $2,000 annual premium) |
30 or under | 0% | $0 |
31 | 2% | $40 per year |
35 | 10% | $200 per year |
40 | 20% | $400 per year |
Olivia’s Story
When Olivia turned 40, she decided to get hospital cover after a minor health scare. But she was shocked to learn her premium would be 20% higher for the next 10 years.
Olivia hadn’t realised that delaying getting cover beyond her 31st birthday meant she’d have to pay LHC loading when she did choose to take out hospital cover.
Want to find affordable singles health insurance? Compare Club’s experts have saved over 239,000 Australians an average of $295* by helping them compare health cover in the last 10 years.
COMPARE & SAVESOURCES
PrivateHealth.gov.auPrivate Healthcare Australia
Australian Government Department of Health
*$295 based on 239,107 sold over the past 10 years (From 2015 to 2024).
Disclaimer:
Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd ABN 29 634 600 007 of 222 Pitt Street Sydney (Ph: 1300 904 624) owns and operates compareclub.com.au and its associated websites. The information contained in this email is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. We compare selected products from a panel of trusted insurers. We do not compare all products in the market.
What's new in health insurance - Jun 2025
Biggest hike in years: Health insurance premiums rose by 3.73% on April 1 — the largest hike since 2018 and noticeably higher than last year’s increase of 3.03% (in 2024).
Most Aussies face higher hikes: Compare Club’s data suggests that due to the five largest funds holding nearly 80% of the market, the average increase for the majority of policyholders is closer to 4.25%.
Review your policy: Now’s the time to check if your policy still fits—better deals could be available.
Frequently asked questions
How much is private health insurance for a single person?
The average cost for singles varies widely, with basic policies ranging from $75 to $150 per month. Comprehensive policies, including extras, may cost up to $250 monthly.
What is the best health insurance for singles over 50?
For singles over 50, a more comprehensive policy that includes hospital and extras cover is typically beneficial. These policies offer coverage for age-related health needs, including physiotherapy, dental, and optical services.
How do I know if I have the right level of cover?
Choosing the right cover depends on your individual needs and lifestyle. Generally, if you’re young and healthy, a lower or mid-level hospital cover may suffice. For those with specific healthcare needs or chronic conditions, a more comprehensive cover can offer broader support.
Additional resources
Things You Should Know
*As our customer you'll be provided with quotes directly from the insurer for the product you intend to purchase. We manage the application and deal with the administration work and insurer. We do not charge you a fee for the service we provide, the insurer simply remunerates us in return for setting up your policy. The financial and insurance products compared on this website do not necessarily compare all features that may be relevant to you. Comparisons are made on the basis of price only and different products may have different features and different levels of coverage. Compare Club does not compare all policies available in Australia and our partner insurers may not make all policies available to Compare Club.
This guide is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial/medical professional before making any decisions.
Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.

Meet our health insurance expert, Chris Stanley
Chris's top health insurance tips:
- 1
Australia’s public health system is world-class, but wait times for public hospitals can be long, inconvenient - and leave you living in constant pain while you wait.
- 2
An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.
- 3
Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.
- 4
Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).