PHI Tracker journal
Guides to switching health funds well.
Plain-language explainers on Australian private health insurance offers, lookback windows, and when a switch is genuinely worth it.
Gold, Silver, Bronze, Basic: Private Health Insurance Tiers in Australia Explained
Confused by Gold, Silver, Bronze and Basic hospital cover? Here's exactly what each tier includes, the 38 clinical categories, and how to pick the right one before you switch funds.
Read guide →-
6 July 20264 min read
Hospital Cover vs Extras Cover: What's the Difference?
Hospital cover and extras cover do completely different jobs. Here's the difference, why you might need one, both, or neither, and how it affects switching insurers.
hospital cover extras -
4 July 20265 min read
How Private Health Insurance Premiums Work in Australia
Why does your health insurance premium keep going up every April? Here's how premiums are set, what drove the 4.41% 2026 increase, and how switching funds can offset the rise.
premiums switching -
2 July 20265 min read
Australian Government Rebate & Medicare Levy Surcharge Explained
The private health insurance rebate lowers your premium; the Medicare Levy Surcharge penalises going without cover. Here are the exact 2025–26 income thresholds and rates.
rebate tax -
1 July 20261 min read
How health fund signup offers work in Australia
A plain-language guide to lookback windows and when switching may be worth it.
health insurance offers -
30 June 20264 min read
Lifetime Health Cover Loading Explained
LHC loading can add up to 70% to your hospital cover premium. Here's exactly how the 2%-per-year rule works, the 1,094-day gap allowance, and how switching funds affects it.
lifetime health cover loading -
27 June 20264 min read
Private Health Insurance Waiting Periods in Australia: The Complete Guide
2 months, 12 months, pre-existing conditions — here's exactly how Australian health insurance waiting periods work, and how portability protects you when you switch funds.
waiting periods switching -
24 June 20264 min read
How to Switch Private Health Insurers in Australia Without Losing Cover
Step-by-step guide to switching Australian health funds without re-serving waiting periods or triggering Lifetime Health Cover loading — including sign-up offer timing.
switching portability -
20 June 20264 min read
Junk vs Comprehensive Health Cover: How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off
Not all Basic hospital cover is "junk" anymore, but plenty still offers little real benefit. Here's how to spot low-value cover and pick a policy that actually pays out.
hospital cover value