Learn more about the 1 April 2026 premium increase

Health funds need to review their premiums annually as the cost of healthcare, medical technology, and subsequently claims costs, increases each year.

The ongoing strength and viability of CBHS as your not-for-profit, member-owned health fund relies on prudent financial management, and this includes reviewing premiums. We do our best to keep premium increases as low as possible so that our members can continue to benefit from great value health cover.

The CBHS average premium increase was below the industry average. There were a small number of funds that had lower premium increases than CBHS.

CBHS has a long history of giving back more to our members than the industry average. Every year, for the last 10 years we have paid more back to our members than the industry average.¹

We also work hard to keep our premiums as low as possible, while balancing rising healthcare costs. In 2025, CBHS paid more in benefits to hospitals and our Extras also saw an increase in benefits paid.

As a not-for-profit, member-owned health fund, CBHS intentionally operates at a very low margin and profits are invested back into the fund to improve our products and services for members. Even at these new premiums our products remain very competitive and continue to offer great value health cover.

¹ _{90% compared to 85% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years from 2016-25, sourced from APRA annual PHI Statistics.}

In 2026, CBHS’ average premium increase was below the industry average. This was despite increasing healthcare costs and claims.

CBHS is also focused on keeping costs down by investing in our health and wellbeing programs to keep you healthier longer, reducing claims fraud and errors, and focusing on optimising the administration costs of running our member-owned fund.

We have written to each primary member with their policy’s new premium details. You’ll receive this either by email or letter depending on your current communication preference. We’ll be communicating premium details from early March 2026.

The premium increase comes into effect on 1 April 2026. If you have direct debits or salary deductions in place, this will automatically update to the new premium amount from your first payment after 1 April 2026.

Our policies are competitively priced and provide great overall value. When you experience a premium increase, it’s important to consider the overall value of your cover when comparing to other health funds.

Our Gold tier Hospital and top-level Extras products are priced lower than comparable competitors’ products. 

Plus, every year, for the last 10 years we have paid more back to our members than the industry average.¹

At CBHS, we’re about more than great health insurance. We provide great member service and give more back in benefits. CBHS products continue to offer great value for money when you compare the overall cost of similar products across different health funds. 

Our commitment remains consistent – to keep the cost of your health cover as low as possible while providing more value.

If you’re wondering why you should maintain private health cover in general, remember that it can offer these benefits:

• Avoid public hospital waiting lists
• More choice as to who treats you, and when and where you receive treatment
• Continued peace of mind
• Access to our dental and optical CBHS Choice Network to help reduce or eliminate Extras costs 
• Avoid Lifetime Health Cover loading by taking out Hospital cover before age 31
• Having private hospital cover can help you avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge saving you money at tax time.

This year, we are also re-introducing selected natural therapies on our eligible Extras policies, which means more opportunity to claim for our members. 

_{¹ 90% compared to 85% across the industry. Calculated based on the average of the past 10 years from 2016-25, sourced from APRA annual PHI Statistics.}

Many Australians receive the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance (rebate) to help reduce the cost of their private health insurance. The rebate will be changing in 2026 as per the below table:

Rebate effective from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027

To keep health insurance fair for all, premium increases are not based on your personal claiming behaviour. Private health insurance in Australia is community-rated, which means premiums can’t be determined based on things like your age, gender, lifestyle, claim patterns or pre-existing conditions.

We calculate premium increases by analysing claims and service cost data from previous years. From this analysis, we estimate the amount required to cover these costs in the coming year. Premiums are then adjusted on a product-by-product and state-by-state basis.

Affordability pressures have increased for many Australians, and we want to do our best to help you stay covered. There are some options you can consider:

Are you claiming the Australian Government Rebate on private health insurance? If you’re eligible, you can claim the rebate as a reduced premium. Find out the level of rebate you may be entitled to at privatehealth.gov.au. You can nominate a rebate tier by logging in to the CBHS Member Centre and selecting Manage My Rebate under the My Account menu.

Change your level of cover or excess limit: We’d be happy to review your level of cover to see if you’re on the most appropriate option for your needs and budget. You may also be able to opt for a higher level of excess in return for a lower premium on some Hospital covers.

If would like to discuss the above options or you're experiencing financial hardship, contact our Member Services team on 1300 654 123 (Monday to Friday) to discuss your options.

If you’ve paid your premiums in advance for any period beyond 1 April 2026, the date your cover is paid up to will stay the same. When you reach that date and your next payment is due, the new premium will apply. Your current premium will remain unchanged until your prepaid cover period ends.

If you make any change to your policy that impacts your premium, i.e. a change in level of cover or change in Rebate, the new premium will take effect. Please reach out to us and check if you’re unsure.

You can pay in advance (up to a maximum of 12 months) to lock in your current premium. If you have not paid in advance or annually before, please give us a call on 1300 654 123 to request a payment notice. If you have received payment notices in the past and know how much you’d like to pay, you’ll be able to use the same reference number. You can find your past payment notices in your Member Centre or app inbox.

Your payment notice has a due date and we issue these a month prior to this date.

• If your due date is before 1 April 2026, you’ll pay the current premium. You must make your payment by the due date to receive the current premium.
• If your due date falls after 1 April 2026, the new premium will apply. However, any payments made before 1 April 2026 will be charged at the current premium. 
• All payments made on or after 1 April 2026 will be charged at the new premium. 

If your payment notice is posted, it may be the case that you receive your notice after 1 April 2026 due to factors outside of our control. If the due date has already passed and you make payment after 1 April, the new premium will apply.

You can also change your postal preference to email for payment notices, ensuring you receive these faster. Log in to the Member Centre or call our team to switch. 

If you choose to make an advance payment before 1 April 2026, you can do this by contacting our Member Services team and they’ll be able to set this up. You can then pay via any of the following payment methods:

• BPAY
• BPOINT over the phone or online. BPOINT is a secure online payment system provided by the Commonwealth Bank, which accepts credit cards. Pay your bill from our website, using BPOINT.
• Cheque

If you know how much you'd like to pay (up to 12 months in advance) and have access to your past payment notices - available in your Member Centre or app inbox - you'll be able to use the same reference number. For an accurate figure to bring you to 12 months in advance, please contact our Member Services team on 1300 654 123.

Every year, all health funds are required to send their members a Private Health Insurance Statement (PHIS). Your premium review letter or email includes a link to access your PHIS, which is a general summary of product features and what’s covered, as well as any restrictions, waiting periods, exclusions, excesses and limits.

Please note - the dollar amounts and payment frequency on the PHIS may differ from the premium change information because they do not reflect any Australian Government Rebate, Lifetime Health Cover loading and or any age-based discount (where applicable).