Not all health funds are open to the general public. Some operate as restricted membership funds, which means you or a family member need to meet certain criteria to join. These funds often serve specific workplaces, industries, professions or community groups, and many have been supporting their members for generations.
What is a restricted membership fund?
A restricted fund is a health insurer that limits membership to people who are part of a defined group. That could include people working in a particular field, members of a professional association, employees of a specific organisation, or their families.
While access is limited, these funds still operate under the same rules as open funds and offer the same types of hospital and extras policies.
Who is eligible?
Each fund sets its own membership rules. Some examples include:
- Teachers Health: for teachers, education staff and their families.
- Police Health: for police officers, emergency services workers and their families.
- Defence Health: for people connected to the Australian Defence Force.
- Railway & Transport Health: for people in the transport and logistics sector.
- ACA Health: for members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church community.
- Navy Health: for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force.
- Reserve Bank Health Society: for current and former employees of the Reserve Bank of Australia and related institutions.
- Emergency Services Health: for Emergency Services workers and volunteers.
- Doctors’ Health: for members of the medical community.
- Nurses & Midwives Health: for nurses, midwives and their families.
- CBHS: for Commonwealth Bank employees and community.
- Uni Health: for the education community and families.
Union Health: for Union members and their families Some funds allow former employees and family members to join, even if they’re not currently working in the field. You may even be eligible based on the careers of your parents or grandparents.
Why consider a restricted fund?
Restricted funds often have close ties with their communities and a deep understanding of members’ needs. Many people choose them for their strong service, lower premium increases and long-standing reputation for looking after members.
If you’re eligible, it’s worth exploring what a restricted fund can offer, especially through a Members Health Fund.
(Link to: Members Health Funds explained)