Health insurance premiums are rising in Australia. Here’s why see-u was built to compare.

The cost of living has been creeping up across Australia.

Groceries are up. Energy bills are up. Petrol... that’s another blog entirely. So, when health insurance premiums change each year, it’s only natural to ask:

Am I getting good value for what I’m paying?

If you’re thinking about comparing health insurance in Australia, you’re not alone. Rate rise season is one of the most common times people review their cover.

And honestly, that’s a good thing.

Because see-u by HBF was built for people who compare. People who want simple cover, sharp pricing and health insurance that actually makes sense when you line it up against the rest of the market.

What’s happening with health insurance premiums in 2026?

Each year the Australian Government reviews and approves premium adjustments across the private health insurance industry.

For 2026, the industry average increase is 4.41%, but the changes vary depending on the health fund.

Some of the larger insurers are increasing premiums by around five percent this year.

Across the industry, average increases range from 1.98% to 5.98%.

By comparison, see-u by HBF’s average increase is 2.15%, which sits well below the industry average and many major funds.

2026 health insurance average premium increases

At a time when household budgets are under pressure, even small differences like this can matter.

Why do health insurance premiums increase?

Healthcare costs change every year.

Things like hospital treatments, medical technology, and specialist services continue to evolve, and health funds must adjust premiums to keep supporting members when they need care.

Some of the main factors include:

• rising hospital and treatment costs
• higher demand for healthcare services
• advances in medical technology
• increased provider and specialist fees

Because see-u is part of HBF, a not-for-profit health fund, profits aren’t paid to shareholders. The focus is on delivering value back to members.

Built for everyday Australians

Health insurance hasn’t always been easy to understand. Complicated policies. Endless product tiers. Pages of fine print.

see-u was created to make things simpler.

We’re built for everyday Australians who want health cover that makes sense. People who care about value, want things to be easy to manage, and don’t want to spend hours decoding their policy.

That means:

• simple cover options
• clear benefits
• sharp pricing
• easy digital tools to manage your policy

Just straightforward health insurance designed to fit real life.

How does see-u compare to Bupa, Medibank and NIB?

When Australians compare health insurance, the same few names often come up first, including Bupa, Medibank and NIB.

Looking at the 2026 average premium adjustments, there is a noticeable difference between some of the larger funds and see-u by HBF.

Of course, comparing health insurance isn’t just about the percentage increase. It’s also worth looking at:

• what your policy covers
• the price you’re paying each week
• the benefits you actually use
• how easy the cover is to understand

That’s where see-u aims to do things differently. Simple cover, clear benefits and pricing designed to stack up when you compare.

Thinking about comparing your cover?

Rate rise season is a good reminder to review your health insurance.

It’s worth checking:

• what you’re paying
• what your policy covers
• whether you’re using your extras benefits
• if your cover still suits your lifestyle

You may even find you can switch funds without re-serving waiting periods for services you’ve already completed.

The bottom line

With the cost of living rising, Australians are paying closer attention to their household budgets. Health insurance is no exception.

With an average premium increase of 2.15%, see-u by HBF sits well below the 2026 industry average of 4.41% and lower than many major funds.

And because see-u was built to be simple, sharply priced and easy to compare, it helps make sure you’re getting real value from your cover.

Because when everything else feels like it’s getting more expensive, health insurance shouldn’t be harder than it needs to be.

Source: Health.gov.au. see-u by HBF is part of HBF Health Ltd. 2.15% is the average overall increase across HBF Health Ltd products. Premium price changes for some policies may be higher or lower than the industry average.

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