Life Insurance Companies in Australia – There are two types of healthcare available in Australia: public and private. Medicare, a government insurance program that gives Australian citizens and residents access to specific healthcare, serves as the foundation for the public healthcare system.
Numerous medical and hospital treatments are free or very inexpensively priced and covered by Medicare.
This involves visiting a general practitioner and getting any required testing, such as scans or x-rays. Australian taxpayers contribute 2% of their taxable income to the Medicare levy, which is how the Australian government pays for Medicare.
Many Australians still opt to spend money on private treatment in spite of the country’s universal healthcare system. The fact that private health insurance might assist with paying for healthcare requirements that Medicare does not cover and enable you to have hospital treatment as a private patient.
Australia has a range of private health insurance providers, each offering a variety of health insurance policies and coverage options. Some of the most popular Life Insurance Companies in Australia include:
- Bupa Australia
- Medibank Private
- nib Health Funds
- HCF (Health Care Insurance Fund)
- Australian Unity
- GMHBA (Gordon Moody Health Benefit Association)
- ahm Health Insurance
- Real Insurance
- TUH (Teachers Union Health)
- Defence Health
It is important to note that each provider offers different coverage options, so it is important to research and compare policies to find the one that best fits your needs and budget. Additionally, the Australian government offers a publicly-funded healthcare system, known as Medicare, which provides coverage for certain medical services for all eligible citizens and permanent residents.
Bupa Australia
Bupa Australia is a private life insurance companies in Australia. In Australia’s healthcare sector as well as globally, Bupa holds a large market share. Although its biggest rival in terms of market share could be Medibank, it is safe to expect that Bupa will expand as a result of Medibank’s recent cyber security breach.
In addition to having a substantial market share, Bupa also has a high percentage of benefits that are returned to customers and a wide variety of plans to choose from to meet different demands. Bupa members may now design extras insurance that is customised to their requirements thanks to its newest innovation, FLEXtras.
Bupa is a top-rated health insurance company because of these advantages and various coverage options, but customer service may use significant work.
Pros
- Frequent discounts
- User-friendly app and online website
- Personalised extras cover is available
Cons
- Negative reviews on lengthy wait times and expensive policies
- Limited customer service contactability
- A large number of complaints investigated by the Ombudsman
Medibank Private
Medibank Private is a leading private life insurance companies in Australia. There’s no disputing the latest data hack has done serious damage to the public’s confidence in the health insurer, despite the fact that Medibank offers comprehensive health insurance policies for individuals, couples, and families through its variety of hospital-only, extras alone, or combination plans.
The data breach that impacted more than 9 million present and past Medibank clients are said to have been caused by a criminal who stole the login information of a Medibank employee with high-level system access and sold it to a different hacker on a Russian-language internet forum.
While companies of all sizes are susceptible to cyberattacks, the threat is undoubtedly increased when a government-backed company finds itself in hot water for lax cybersecurity compliance and unfair data practices.
Due to this, Medibank’s reputation as a trustworthy private life insurance Companies in Australia has eventually suffered, and it has to be examined as a result. Unaffected consumers’ faith in the fund won’t likely return for a very long time.
Pros
- Numerous policies available to suit personal needs
- The high percentage of returned benefits to customers
- 86% member retention on hospital-only policies
Cons
- Cyber attack thwarting public trust
- Some services are only claimable at ‘Members’ Choice’ locations, which aren’t found everywhere
- Poor consumer reviews
NIB Health Funds
nib Health Funds is a private life insurance companies in Australia. Nearly 1.2 million Australians have access to health insurance through NIB. It was founded more than 60 years ago and is a for-profit business. In NSW and Victoria, there are NIB dental and eye care facilities.
A medical gap is the price difference between what your doctor recommends they charge for a service or treatment and what Medicare actually pays.
Health funds have contracts with certain physicians and medical facilities to pay the whole gap (referred to as “no gap agreements”) or a portion of it (referred to as “known gap agreements”) (these will have reduced out-of-pocket charges, often less than $500).
The graph below shows the CHOICE gap rating, which compares the state to the percentage of services for which members paid no gap or a known gap.

HCF (Health Care Insurance Fund)
HCF (Health Care Insurance Fund) is a not-for-profit private life insurance companies in Australia. It offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With HCF, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctors.
Some of the key features of HCF’s health insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. HCF also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, HCF also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and income protection insurance. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
As a not-for-profit organization, HCF is committed to providing high-quality health insurance products and services at an affordable price. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for all Australians, and all surplus funds are reinvested back into the company to improve its products and services.
While HCF takes pleasure in being Australia’s biggest not-for-profit health fund and in the numerous accolades it has received over the course of its 90-year history, statistics indicate that it is lagging behind other health insurance providers. HCF now offers the greatest hospital-only coverage, however, it falls short when it comes to client happiness.
Pros
- Good member retention rate on hospital-only policies
- Customer service is available on weekends
- 90.8% of hospital-related charges are covered by HCF
Cons
- Some policies can only be taken out in conjunction with others
- All pre-existing medical conditions, including extras, have a 12-month waiting period
- The high proportion of complaints investigated by the Ombudsman in comparison to the market share

Australian Unity
Australian Unity is a mutual organization and private life insurance companies in Australia. It offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With Australian Unity, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctors.
Some of the key features of Australian Unity’s life insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. Australian Unity also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, Australian Unity also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and home care services. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
As a mutual organization, Australian Unity is owned by its members and operates for their benefit. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for all Australians, and all surplus funds are reinvested back into the company to improve its products and services.
GMHBA (Gordon Moody Health Benefit Association)
GMHBA (Gordon Moody Health Benefit Association) is a not-for-profit private health insurance provider based in Australia. It offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With GMHBA, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctors.
Some of the key features of GMHBA’s health insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. GMHBA also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, GMHBA also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and income protection insurance. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
As a not-for-profit organization, GMHBA is committed to providing high-quality health insurance products and services at an affordable price. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for all Australians, and all surplus funds are reinvested back into the company to improve its products and services.
AHM Health Insurance
ahm Health Insurance is a private life insurance companies in Australia. It offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With ahm, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctor.
Some of the key features of ahm’s health insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. ahm also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, ahm also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and home care services. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
ahm is committed to providing high-quality health insurance products and services at an affordable price. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for all Australians.
Real Insurance
Real Insurance Australia is a subsidiary of TAL Dai-ichi Life Australia and is a private life insurance companies in Australia. It offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With Real Insurance, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctor.
Some of the key features of Real Insurance’s health insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. Real Insurance also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, Real Insurance also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and income protection insurance. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
Real Insurance is committed to providing high-quality health insurance products and services at an affordable price. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for all Australians.
TUH (Teachers Union Health)
TUH (Teachers Union Health) is a not-for-profit private life insurance companies in Australia. It is specifically designed for members of the teaching community and their families. TUH offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With TUH, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctor.
Some of the key features of TUH’s health insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. TUH also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, TUH also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and income protection insurance. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
As a not-for-profit organization, TUH is committed to providing high-quality health insurance products and services at an affordable price for its members. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for members of the teaching community and their families.

Defence Health
Defence Health Australia is a not-for-profit private life insurance companies in Australia. It is specifically designed for members of the defence community, including serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families. Defence Health offers a range of health insurance policies, including hospital cover, extras cover, and combined hospital and extras cover. With Defence Health, policyholders can access private hospital care and choose their own doctor.
Some of the key features of Defence Health’s health insurance policies include a wide network of hospitals and healthcare providers, coverage for a range of medical services, such as hospital stays, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and more, and the ability to customize coverage with a range of policy options. Defence Health also offers a range of discounts and promotions, helping policyholders save on their health insurance premiums.
In addition to its private health insurance policies, Defence Health also offers a range of complementary services and products, including travel insurance, life insurance, and income protection insurance. These products are designed to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection and peace of mind, both at home and abroad.
As a not-for-profit organization, Defence Health is committed to providing high-quality health insurance products and services at an affordable price for its members. The company’s policies are designed to make private health insurance accessible and convenient for members of the defence community.
Also Read, Top 10 Best Life insurance companies in the USA 2023
Here are some common FAQs about life insurance companies in Australia:
- What is life insurance?
Life insurance is a contract between the policyholder and the insurance company, where the insurance company provides a financial payout to the policyholder’s beneficiaries in the event of the policyholder’s death. - What are the different types of life insurance in Australia?
There are two main types of life insurance in Australia: term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, while permanent life insurance provides coverage for the policyholder’s entire life. - Who can buy life insurance in Australia?
In Australia, life insurance is available to all Australian citizens and permanent residents who are aged between 18 and 84 years old. - How much does life insurance cost in Australia?
The cost of life insurance in Australia varies depending on the type of coverage, the policyholder’s age, health, and lifestyle, and the amount of coverage required. On average, a basic term life insurance policy can cost as little as $10 per month. - What factors affect the cost of life insurance in Australia?
The factors that affect the cost of life insurance in Australia include the policyholder’s age, health, lifestyle, and occupation, as well as the amount of coverage required and the type of policy selected. - How do I choose the right life insurance company in Australia?
When choosing a life insurance company in Australia, it’s important to consider factors such as the company’s financial stability, the types of policies offered, the level of customer service, and the cost of coverage. It’s also important to compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure that you get the best coverage at an affordable price. - What should I look for when buying life insurance in Australia?
When buying life insurance in Australia, it’s important to consider the amount of coverage required, the type of policy selected, and the cost of coverage. It’s also important to understand the policy’s terms and conditions and to carefully review the policy’s fine print to ensure that you understand what is and isn’t covered. - What happens if I stop paying my life insurance premiums in Australia?
If you stop paying your life insurance premiums in Australia, your policy will typically lapse and you will no longer be covered. Some life insurance policies may offer a grace period, during which time you can still be covered while you make arrangements to resume premium payments.