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The rule of thumb
Extras cover is worth it if the rebates you'll actually claim back over a year exceed the premium. The maths is unusually clean for insurance — there's no element of catastrophe risk, just predictable services like dental check-ups, glasses, and physio.
Where extras genuinely pays off
- Two adults who both go to the dentist twice a year and have annual eye tests.
- Anyone with regular physio, chiro, or remedial massage (3+ visits a year).
- Families with kids in orthodontics — well-chosen extras pays back several thousand dollars over the treatment.
- People who wear glasses or contacts and update their prescription every 1–2 years.
Where extras is a slow leak
- You never go to the dentist or only when something breaks.
- You're paying for categories you don't use — pharmacy, hearing aids, podiatry — because they were bundled in.
- Your fund's preferred-provider rebate is low and your usual dentist/optometrist isn't on the list.
- You're at or near your annual limit every year, so additional services aren't actually rebated.
Three things to check before signing up
Annual limits
Every category has a yearly cap. Cheap extras policies look great in the marketing but cap dental at $400 or physio at $250 — far below what most people actually claim.
Waiting periods
Standard extras has 2-month waits for most services, 12 months for major dental and orthodontics. Switching from an existing extras policy carries those served periods over.
Preferred providers
Funds pay a higher rebate at their preferred dental and optical chains. If you'd never use them, the headline rebates in the brochure won't match what you'll actually get back.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does extras cover cost?
- Basic extras starts around $15–$25 a week for singles; mid-tier extras (the level most people end up on) is typically $25–$45 a week.
- Can I have extras cover without hospital cover?
- Yes. Extras and hospital cover are sold separately. You can hold just extras, just hospital, or both.
- Do I get a tax benefit from extras cover?
- No — extras cover doesn't satisfy the Medicare Levy Surcharge or Lifetime Health Cover loading. Those rules only apply to hospital cover.
Written by
Victor Mourad
Co-Founder & Health Insurance Advisor · 10 years in health insurance · Melbourne
Victor co-founded Comparify to make Australian health insurance easier to understand. He writes on policy changes, the annual rate rise and what they actually mean for households.