Cover that earns its place in your budget — not just a tax box ticked
Whether you're insuring yourself or the two of you, the right answer depends on your income, your birthday and what you actually use. We compare 14 funds, model singles against couples side by side, and tell you if you don't need cover yet.
- Beat the LHC loading before 1 July after you turn 31
- Avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you're over the threshold
- Two singles vs one couples policy, priced both ways
- Up to 10% age-based discount locked in while you're under 30
- No markup · 14 funds compared · PHII Code member
The three reasons cover starts paying for itself
Cover is worth it when one of these is true. If none of them are, we'll tell you that too — there's no version of this where you're pushed into a policy you don't need yet.
- 01
Your income crossed the surcharge threshold
Above $101,000 as a single (or $202,000 combined as a couple) the Medicare Levy Surcharge takes 1% to 1.5% of your income unless you hold hospital cover. For many people a basic hospital policy costs less than the surcharge itself.
- 02
Your 31st birthday is coming
Hold hospital cover by 1 July after you turn 31 and you never pay the Lifetime Health Cover loading. Miss it and every uninsured year adds 2% to your premium for the next decade.
- 03
You use extras more than you think
Two dental cleans, a pair of glasses and a handful of physio visits a year is a common pattern — and often the point where extras cover moves from expense to break-even.
- 04
You're under 30 today
The age-based discount is up to 10% and it's locked in while you hold the policy. Starting a year earlier is worth real money over the following decade.
What it typically costs
Your price depends on your state, excess and any age-based discount you qualify for.
- Basic hospital cover with starter extras for a single. Before any age-based discount of up to 10%.
Couples policy or two singles?
People assume a couples policy is automatically cheaper. It usually is, but the reason matters: the hospital component is generally about twice a single premium, so most of the saving comes from shared extras limits and a single admin fee.
- One of you wants Gold for pregnancy, the other only needs Basic to dodge the surcharge? Two singles policies often win.
- Both of you want the same tier and will use extras? A couples policy is almost always cheaper and simpler to claim on.
- Planning a family in the next 18 months? Move to a policy with pregnancy cover early — there's a 12-month wait.
- Different age-based discounts? They're calculated per person, and a couples policy averages them.
We price it both ways, every time
What Basic actually covers — and what it doesn't
Basic hospital
The cheapest way to satisfy the surcharge exemption and stop the LHC clock. Clinically it covers very little: rehabilitation, hydrotherapy and psychiatric care on a restricted basis, and not much else. A legitimate choice — as long as nobody has told you it's comprehensive.
Bronze hospital
Adds the everyday surgical categories, including dental surgery, joint reconstructions and hernia repairs. For most people in their late twenties and thirties, Bronze is where cover starts to feel like cover.
Not sure which side of the line you're on?
Tell us your income, your age and what you actually use. We'll model Basic against Bronze both ways and say plainly if cover isn't worth it for you yet.
Three simple steps to better value health cover
No call-centre runaround, no pushy sales. Just clear comparisons and an expert by your side from start to switch.
- Step 1
Tell us a little about you
Two minutes. A few quick questions about who needs cover, what matters, and what you currently pay.
- Step 2
An experienced advisor compares 800 policies from 30 brands
We do the legwork — matching the right policy to your needs and budget, not the one paying the highest commission.
- Step 3
We walk you through and switch you over
Clear options, no jargon. If you decide to switch, we'll handle the paperwork — and stay on call afterwards.
Rated 4.8 stars from 250 real customer reviews
"Saved $612 a year and got better extras for our two kids. The whole switch took 15 minutes — and our advisor still answers when I call."
How we get paid — and why it doesn't change our advice
Comparify is a completely free service for you. Like other comparison services, we're paid a commission by the health fund if you take out a policy — but our advice isn't influenced by which fund pays more, and we never mark up your premium - we guarantee it. It's called the Comparify Price Promise. If you find the exact same policy elsewhere for less, we'll refund you 200% of the difference.
Young singles & couples: common questions
Ready to unlock better value health insurance?
Compare 14 funds with an advisor today. Free, friendly, and no pressure — just honest advice from a real human.