For many Australians, the cost of private health insurance has steadily crept up over the years. In March 2026 alone, premiums increased by 4.41% as an industry average. Worryingly, some funds have increased premiums by more, such as AIA by 5.98%, NIB 5.47%, Medibank 5.1%. While other funds have increased by less, such as GMHBA by 1.98%, and HBF 2.15%.

But what fewer people realise is that the government may already be helping to cover part of that increase in cost — through a little-known initiative called the Private Health Insurance Rebate.

And depending on your age and income, that support could be more substantial than you think.

Step 1: Select your current health fund below.

Step 2: Once you answer a few basic questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds.*

The Private Health Insurance Rebate is a federal government subsidy designed to make private health cover more affordable for Australians.

According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), eligible Australians can receive a percentage rebate on their premiums, which helps reduce the overall cost of their policy.

For many people, this rebate is applied automatically as a discount on their monthly premiums. Others may claim it later as a tax offset at the end of the financial year.

The exact rebate amount depends on a few factors — including your age, income, and household status.

As a general guide:

• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Many Australians receive around 24% off their premiums
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Older Australians may receive up to ~32%, depending on income thresholds

That can make a noticeable difference over time.

For example, in some cases, policies that might otherwise cost significantly more can end up being much more manageable on a daily basis once the rebate is applied.

Important: These figures are indicative only. Actual costs and rebates vary depending on your individual circumstances and the policy selected.

Step 1: Select your current health fund below.

Step 2: Once you answer a few basic questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds.*

The eligibility criteria are broader than many people expect.

You may qualify if you:

• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Are an Australian resident
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Are eligible for Medicare
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Hold an appropriate level of private health insurance

That means a large portion of Australians — particularly those aged 50+ — may already be eligible, even if they haven’t actively looked into it.

Despite being a long-standing government initiative, the rebate is often misunderstood or overlooked.

Some assume:

• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 It only applies to retirees
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 It’s already fully factored into every policy
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Or that checking it requires complex paperwork

In reality, the rebate is already built into many policies, but whether you’re getting the right level of cover for your situation is another question entirely.

This is where comparison can make a difference.

Billy Explores allows Australians to quickly compare health insurance options and see how the rebate may apply to different policies — all in one place.

Rather than navigating multiple insurers individually, the tool helps you:

• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 View policies from a range of providers
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Understand how pricing may differ after rebates
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Check options based on your age and circumstances

Step 1: Select your current health fund below.

Step 2: Once you answer a few basic questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds.*

With premiums and living costs continuing to rise, more Australians are taking a closer look at what they’re paying — and whether it still makes sense.

Even small percentage differences can add up over time.

For many, the goal isn’t necessarily to switch — but simply to understand what’s available and confirm they’re not overpaying.

If you already have private health insurance — or have been considering it — it may be worth taking a moment to see how the government rebate applies to you.

Many Australians are surprised to learn:

• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 They were eligible all along
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Their current policy may not be the most cost-effective
• 󠁯•󠁏󠁏 Or that better-suited options exist for their stage of life

Billy Explores offers a free, no-obligation comparison tool that helps Australians explore their options in just a few minutes.

👉 Check your eligibility and compare health insurance options here