Private health insurers can open a new health insurance product at any time, at any premium, without the Health Minister’s approval. This Impact Analysis considers a preferred policy approach requiring insurers to seek the Minister’s approval for premiums for new products, and existing products for which cover or value to consumers has been reduced.

This position statement outlines the principles that should govern private health insurer contracting with doctors in Australia. It outlines the increasing concern about the lack of regulation governing contracts between insurers and medical practitioners – including their potential impacts on patient choice and quality of care, clinical autonomy and private hospital case mix.

This report outlines the state of private health insurance in Australia, trends, contracts, paying for medical care and premiums. It finds that fewer policies now offer top-level coverage, exclusions are at record levels, and the overall value of private health insurance is eroding. The report is designed to help consumers choose the right cover.

The report provides an update on competition and consumer issues in the Australian private health insurance industry between July 2024 and June 2025. It focuses on continued insurer actions taken to return profits to policyholders which were gained from fewer claims during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as enforcement action, competition exemptions, and exclusive dealing...

The paper identifies five pillars for health reform with associated policy costings and timeframes. It calls for immediate action to modernise Medicare and to lift public hospitals out of logjam. It also seeks commitments to address growing threats to private health sector sustainability and calls for the implementation of a sugar tax.