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2026 Premium Rises Could Push People to the Edge - 3AW Radio Interview

Updated 02/03/2026
2026 Premium Rises Could Push People to the Edge - 3AW Radio Interview

Kate Browne explains on 3AW why this year’s health insurance increases are biting households and what people can do to stay in control.

Private health insurance premiums are set to rise at their fastest rates in eight years thanks to an above-inflation increase of 4.41 per cent approved by the government.

Head of research at Compare Club Kate Browne says Australians have been hit with a triple-whammy this year.

“I think this is going to push people to the edge,” she told Ross and Russ.

Listen here


About the author

author Kate Browne

Head of Research and Insights

Kate Browne is Compare Club's Head of Research and Insights. She has almost two decades of experience in the media as a managing editor, news editor, investigative journalist and broadcaster. She has worked at Yahoo Finance, Finder, CHOICE and the ABC and has written for dozens of publications including the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sun Herald, The Age, news.com.au, the Sunday Telegraph, The Big Issue, Sunday Life and Kidspot. She was also one of the writers and presenters of ABC TV's top-rating consumer affairs show The Checkout which ran for six seasons.

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