This publication provides the average annual price changes in private health insurance premiums from 1997 to 2026 for each insurer and the industry. Premium price changes take effect from 1 April each year. Premium price changes for some policies may be higher or lower than the industry or insurer’s average.
While the figures represent the average premium price change, this is not indicative of what every policy holder may experience. Some products may be offered with either a lower or a higher price change when compared to the industry or their insurer’s average. Insurers must inform their members in writing of the exact premium price change for their particular policy.
For information on the process and formula used to calculate the change in private health insurance premiums see our Apply to increase private health insurance premiums page.
The Australian Government provides around $7.9 billion annually through the income tested and age-based Private Health Insurance Rebate (rebate) to support policy holders with the price of their private health insurance premiums. Each year the rebate is adjusted following the late January release of the December quarter Consumer Price Index figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The release of this figure combined with the final approval of premium changes by the minister is necessary before insurers can provide definitive information to their policy holders regarding changes to premium levels. This is usually not until February or March, for effect from 1 April.
For more information on the rebate see Australian Government Private Health Insurance Rebate and the Australian Tax Office information on the private health insurance rebate.