Health insurance for young adults

Whether you’re getting cover for the first time, switching or about to come off your family’s policy, find affordable health insurance that suits your budget and lifestyle.

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Why choose HCF for your health insurance?

With a range of health cover options to choose from, you can focus on living life to the fullest, knowing you’re covered by the fund that puts your health before profits.

More benefits of health insurance for young adults

Enjoy more flexibility with your healthcare, access to holistic health support and additional savings, with peace of mind that your health and wellbeing needs are covered.

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Do I need hospital, extras cover or both?

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Offers and discounts

We help young adults save more. Members can save an average of $900^^^ a year on groceries, fuel and movie tickets through discounted e-Gift cards, plus discounts on pet+++ and travel insurance###.

Start claiming on popular services with extras cover

Choose extras cover to help lower costs of everyday health services generally not covered by Medicare like general dental, optical and physio from the fund that gives members more back in benefits for every dollar spent on premiums^^^^.

Award-winning insurance trusted by more than 2 million Australians

Need help to find the right health insurance for young adults?

Answers to commonly asked questions to help you make the right choice.

The right age to get private health insurance in Australia can depend on someone’s individual needs, lifestyle, and financial situation, but if you’re under 30, these are some key factors that might help with your decision.

  • Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading: if you don’t have private hospital insurance by July 1 after turning 31, you may face a 2% loading fee on top of your premium for every year you don’t have hospital cover – potentially increasing costs by up to 70% for 10 years. 
  • Avoiding the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS): you may be required to pay an additional tax of between 1% and 1.5% of your individual income if it’s above the specified threshold of $97,000 for singles, if you don't have hospital cover. 
  • Accessing everyday health services: many young adults take out extras cover for services like dental, optical and physio. These services are generally not covered by Medicare and can help lower your out-of-pocket costs. Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of having health insurance as a young adult.

Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of having health insurance as a young adult.

Watch video

To make healthcare more affordable for families, kids, also known as dependants, can stay on family private health insurance until they turn 31, provided:

  • they’re a full-time student
  • not married or in a de facto relationship
  • still rely on their parents for maintenance and support.

If you’re currently listed on your parents' private health insurance, you’ll need to either come off that policy or get Extended Family Cover when you turn 31 or stop full-time study (whichever comes first).

If you’re not a full-time student but still meet the other criteria, you can stay on your parents’ family cover until you turn 31 on selected products that have Extended Family Cover, but a surcharge will apply.

Learn more about family cover

If you take out your own cover within 60 days of leaving your family cover, you won't have to re-serve any waiting periods if you need to make a claim for treatments or services that you’re currently covered for on your family’s health cover – provided that your new policy also covers those treatments or services.

You’ll need to call us or visit a branch to make sure you’re covered. If you’re purchasing cover for the first time and weren’t on family private health cover before, you’ll need to serve a waiting period, which can range from 2 months, for services like general dental or up to 12 months for some hospital treatments, before you can claim benefits.

Yes, you and your partner can have separate singles health insurance policies if you prefer. You’re not required to take out a couples policy if you don’t want to. This gives you both the flexibility to tailor your coverage to your individual needs, ensuring each of you gets the specific coverage that suits you, including any limits or benefits that might not apply to your partner.

Compare singles health cover at HCF

No, you’re not locked into a contract. You can change to a higher or lower level of cover or cancel your cover at any time. If you change your cover, you may need to serve waiting periods on services or treatments. If you change your mind and decide to cancel within 30 days of joining, and haven't made a claim in that period, you’ll receive a full refund on your hospital or extras cover – because we want you to be happy with your health cover choice.

The right age to get private health insurance in Australia can depend on someone’s individual needs, lifestyle, and financial situation, but if you’re under 30, these are some key factors that might help with your decision.

  • Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading: if you don’t have private hospital insurance by July 1 after turning 31, you may face a 2% loading fee on top of your premium for every year you don’t have hospital cover – potentially increasing costs by up to 70% for 10 years. 
  • Avoiding the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS): you may be required to pay an additional tax of between 1% and 1.5% of your individual income if it’s above the specified threshold of $97,000 for singles, if you don't have hospital cover. 
  • Accessing everyday health services: many young adults take out extras cover for services like dental, optical and physio. These services are generally not covered by Medicare and can help lower your out-of-pocket costs. Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of having health insurance as a young adult.

Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of having health insurance as a young adult.

Watch video

To make healthcare more affordable for families, kids, also known as dependants, can stay on family private health insurance until they turn 31, provided:

  • they’re a full-time student
  • not married or in a de facto relationship
  • still rely on their parents for maintenance and support.

If you’re currently listed on your parents' private health insurance, you’ll need to either come off that policy or get Extended Family Cover when you turn 31 or stop full-time study (whichever comes first).

If you’re not a full-time student but still meet the other criteria, you can stay on your parents’ family cover until you turn 31 on selected products that have Extended Family Cover, but a surcharge will apply.

Learn more about family cover

If you take out your own cover within 60 days of leaving your family cover, you won't have to re-serve any waiting periods if you need to make a claim for treatments or services that you’re currently covered for on your family’s health cover – provided that your new policy also covers those treatments or services.

You’ll need to call us or visit a branch to make sure you’re covered. If you’re purchasing cover for the first time and weren’t on family private health cover before, you’ll need to serve a waiting period, which can range from 2 months, for services like general dental or up to 12 months for some hospital treatments, before you can claim benefits.

Yes, you and your partner can have separate singles health insurance policies if you prefer. You’re not required to take out a couples policy if you don’t want to. This gives you both the flexibility to tailor your coverage to your individual needs, ensuring each of you gets the specific coverage that suits you, including any limits or benefits that might not apply to your partner.

Compare singles health cover at HCF

No, you’re not locked into a contract. You can change to a higher or lower level of cover or cancel your cover at any time. If you change your cover, you may need to serve waiting periods on services or treatments. If you change your mind and decide to cancel within 30 days of joining, and haven't made a claim in that period, you’ll receive a full refund on your hospital or extras cover – because we want you to be happy with your health cover choice.

Important Information

* 100% back through our No-Gap network is available on selected covers. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Our network of healthcare providers changes often. Please check that your provider is part of our network before you book or attend an appointment. See hcf.com.au/100back

^ Waiting periods and annual limits apply. 100% back available on selected covers for prescription glasses and sunglasses, and contacts. Excludes add-ons like high index material, coatings and tinting.

+ Cover is limited to emergency transport to the nearest hospital by a State or Territory government ambulance provider (excludes transport from a hospital or medical facility). Benefits are not payable for ambulance services covered by a State or Territory government scheme.

# Must visit the emergency department within 24 hours of the accident. Excludes Accident Only Basic cover. See hcf.com.au/accident-safeguard for more information.

** Eligibility criteria apply. For more information see hcf.com.au/health-programs

^^ Some members may be eligible for Medicare benefits for a telehealth consultation with GP2U. For all other members with HCF hospital and/or extras cover, HCF will cover a standard GP consultation up to 10 minutes for a fee of $50 with GP2U. 15 minute consults are available to members with HCF hospital and/or extras cover, who live in a non-metropolitan MMM2-MMM7 classified postcode. Excludes Accident Only, Ambulance Only and Overseas Visitors Health Cover. Eligible members under 16 years old may need to have a parent or guardian present. If you have any questions about this eligibility criteria, please email welbeing@hcf.com.au

++ Singles and couples only. Flexible $650 single limit plus $175 for optical and $100 for remedial massage and myotherapy limit per person, per year.

## Annual limits and waiting periods apply. See hcf.com.au/choose-my-extras

*** Eligibility criteria applies. You can access HCF Thank You offers after you’ve been a member for a week, and if your premiums are up to date. Excludes Ambulance Only and Overseas Visitors Health Cover. Offers and partners are subject to change without advance notice. See HCF Thank You terms and conditions.

^^^ Based on discounts available through HCF partners (Aug 2023) and average category spend from ABS Household Expenditure Survey, Australia (2017).

+++ All HCF members are eligible for a member discount of at least 10% on HCF Pet Insurance. HCF Ruby and Diamond members get a 15% discount. Existing Manchester Unity Pet Insurance policies are not eligible for discounts under HCF Thank You. Visit the HCF Thank You page for further information. Where relevant, increased discount will be applied automatically at first renewal after advancement in HCF Thank You tier. To be eligible for the discount members need to have the My Membership app or online member services set up. This offer may be subject to change.

HCF Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time prior to 21 March 2024 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd ABN 68 000 026 746, AFSL 241414 (HCF). HCF Pet Insurance policies entered into for the first time on or after 21 March 2024 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by HCF. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at hcf.com.au/petinsurance

HCF Pet Insurance is not part of HCF's health insurance business. Please do not assume that pet insurance and health insurance are similar. HCF may receive a commission of up to 13% of the premium for promoting HCF Pet Insurance Policies. HCF sales agents are paid a salary or wages but do not receive a commission or other payments attributable to the sale of HCF Pet Insurance. For more information, contact HCF on 1800 630 681 or petinsurance@hcf.com.au

### To access the discount code, log in to the My Membership app or online member services and go to the travel section of the HCF Thank You page to find the code. 25% discount applies to new policy purchases and is based on standard premium rates (including optional covers). It applies automatically upon successful input of the discount code and applies to any changes, upgrades or amendments made to the policy prior to commencement of the journey. The discount may apply to changes made after commencement of the journey, contact Allianz Global Assistance to find out more. Cannot be used in conjunction with, or in addition to any other discounts. No additional discounts will be provided to Members who already receive a Member discount. Please contact us for more information.

The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Ltd ABN 68 000 026 746 AFSL 241414 (HCF) arranges this insurance as agent for AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631 trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA). AGA arranges and manages travel insurance as agent for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz). Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. HCF, Allianz and AGA do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Before making a decision please consider the Product Disclosure Statement, the Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD). The TMD is available at allianzpartners.com.au/policies. If you purchase a policy, HCF and AGA receive a commission which is a percentage of your premium - ask us for more details before we provide you with services.

**** Eligibility criteria apply. For more information see hcf.com.au/victorchang

^^^^ 88.8% compared to 85.3% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years, sourced from APRA Statistics: Private Health Insurance Operations Reports 2014–23 and Quarterly private health insurance statistics July 2023-March 2024.

++++ A first visit means an initial consultation for an eligible health condition that’s new or flare up where no treatment has been provided in the previous 3 months.

#### Outstanding Value Health Insurance Award 9 years in a row (2016-24). Winner of the 2024 Hospital Insurance Award in WA, SA and Qld and Hospital and Extras Insurance Award in Tas, Vic and WA.