When it comes to private health insurance in Australia, many couples wonder if sharing a policy is cheaper than holding separate ones. The reality is that while the cost is usually about the same, the value you get depends on your lifestyle, health needs, and future plans.
Understanding How Pricing Works
Australia’s community rating system requires insurers to charge the same premium for the same product, no matter your age, gender, or health status. That means two people on a couples policy generally pay the same combined amount as they would on two singles policies. There’s no automatic discount for signing up together.
So, if the price is mostly equal, the real question becomes: which option gives you the flexibility and benefits you need?
What’s the Difference?
- Singles policy: Covers one person only. It can be hospital-only, extras-only, or a combination of both.
- Couples policy: Designed for two adults living together – whether married, de facto, or in a same-sex partnership. Both people share the same cover and policy conditions.
When Singles Policies Can Be Better Value
Having separate policies can be a smarter move in certain situations:
- Different health needs: If one person needs pregnancy cover and the other doesn’t, or if one relies on extras like dental and the other rarely uses them, singles policies let each partner choose the cover that suits them best.
- Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading: If one partner delayed taking out hospital cover past the age of 31, only that partner pays the extra loading on a singles policy. On a couples policy, the cost is shared across both.
- Flexibility to switch: Singles cover makes it easier to change providers or adjust your plan if your income, health, or relationship circumstances change.
When Couples Cover Makes Life Easier
Even if it’s not cheaper, a joint policy has its perks:
- Streamlined admin: One premium, one policy number, less paperwork.
- Simple for growing families: It’s usually easier to roll a couples policy into a family policy when children arrive.
- Shared extras: Some policies allow both partners to use the combined extras limit, which can be handy if one person uses more than the other.
- Potential rebate benefits: Couples are assessed on combined income for the government rebate. Depending on your earnings, this could work out in your favour.
What’s Included?
Whether you go singles or couples, the policy options are the same. You can choose hospital cover (Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold), extras cover (dental, optical, physio, and more), or a combined plan.
Just remember that specialised services like pregnancy, orthodontics, mental health, and joint replacements aren’t included by default. You’ll need to select a policy that specifically covers them, and waiting periods often apply.
What Australians Are Choosing
Current figures show:
- About 21% of Australians with hospital cover are on couples policies.
- Around 24% stick with singles cover.
- Half of policyholders are on family plans.
- The remainder are on single-parent policies.
With more than 15 million Australians holding private health insurance, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Couples cover is popular, but plenty of people prefer the flexibility of singles policies.
The Bottom Line
Singles and couples health insurance usually cost about the same, but the best choice depends on your circumstances. If your health needs and cover preferences are similar, a joint policy can make things easier to manage. But if you want tailored benefits, separate policies might save you money and frustration in the long run.
