Members Health has welcomed the latest quarterly data from APRA, which shows more Australians are benefiting from private health insurance cover.
The latest statistics show that more Australians are choosing to take out and make use their private health insurance cover.
The number of people with hospital cover increased by 81,309 people, in the last quarter to March 2025, to a record high of almost 12.5 million. Those with extras cover, for services such as dental, optical and physio, increased by 97,380 to over 15 million.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in private health insurance has progressively increased, with this quarter marking a new high as Australians seek the security, choice and control that only private health insurance can offer.
“The latest numbers underscore how critically important health insurance is to the Australian healthcare system,” said Matthew Koce, CEO of Members Health, the peak body for Australia’s not for profit and member owned health insurers.
“Health insurers paid out a record $25.5 billion to help cover healthcare bills during the 12 months to March 2025. Benefits paid to assist with hospital care increased 6.9% to $18,907 billion. Benefits paid for extras services such as dental, optical and physio grew by 7.4% to $6,678 billion.”
“These record payments for access to care demonstrates that private health cover continues to provide enormous value.”
“It is particularly pleasing to that younger Australians are flocking to private health insurance in greater numbers. Approximately two-thirds of growth is coming from people under 60 years of age. This is good news for the long-term sustainability of private health with may of those younger members electing to join a not for profit and member owned mutual health fund.”
“Private health insurance offers fast access to high quality care with doctor of choice. It also helps Australians for access to the many healthcare services not covered by Medicare, such as ambulance, dental, optical, physio, remedial massage, chiro and acupuncture.”
“Our doctors and nurses in the public hospital system do a wonderful job but are under enormous pressure, with some waits for care extending into the years. An added benefit that comes from private health insurance as more Australians take out cover and access private hospitals, is that it also helps reduce pressure on our overstretched public health system, freeing up public beds and operating theatres for those most in need.” Mr Koce said.
Australians considering private health insurance should always look for the Members Health tick. The Members Health tick is proof that the health fund is not for profit or part of a member owned group. That means they are not driven to generate profits for shareholders or overseas investors and can give more back in benefits than would otherwise be the case.
Members Health is the peak industry body for an alliance of 24 health funds that are not-for-profit or part of a member-owned group, regional or community based. They all share the common ethic of putting their members’ health before profit. Our funds represent the interests of more than 5.3 million Australians.
Media Contact
Brenton Baldwin
Brenton.Baldwin@membershealth.com.au
0409 517 176