Is a Bronze health insurance policy right for you?
Learn what's covered by Bronze and Bronze Plus policies so you can choose the right level of cover.
Last updated: 17 Feb 2026
Our insurance experts have reviewed Bronze hospital insurance policies from over 40 health insurers to find out which ones offer the best value. See if you can secure cover that’ll save you money by comparing health insurance.
Not sure what Bronze health insurance covers or if it’s right for you? We explain the differences between Bronze and Bronze Plus policies, how much you can expect to pay and reveal the cheapest Bronze policies in each state.
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What is Bronze health insurance?
Bronze health insurance is a lower level of cover for private hospital insurance covering 18 categories of services in private hospital.
If you’re healthy and not planning a family but you want back-up cover for broken bones, the flu and some diabetes treatment, Bronze health insurance could work for you.
If you just want health insurance to avoid taxes and don’t actually need to use your health insurance, try the cheapest Basic policy. But if you want a higher level of cover, look for Bronze Plus, Silver or Gold health insurance.
Not sure what level of hospital insurance you need? Take our quick quiz to find out.
What does Bronze health insurance cover?
- Breast, skin and prostate cancer surgery (including breast reconstruction), plus chemotherapy and radiation.
- Broken bones and other bone, joint and muscle treatments including joint reconstructions (but not replacements).
- Ear, nose and throat surgery including tonsils, adenoids and grommets.
- Diabetes management in hospital (but not implanted insulin pumps).
- Endoscopy and colonoscopy, plus other digestive system procedures including removal of gallstones or haemorrhoids.
- Gynaecology, miscarriage and termination of pregnancy, sterilisation (male and female) but not pregnancy and birth.
- Brain and nervous system treatments including for head injuries, stroke, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
- Hernia and appendix surgery.
- Skin-related procedures including treatments for lesions and abscesses, and allergy skin-prick testing.
- Palliative care, rehabilitation and psychiatric care (in a public hospital only).
What is Bronze Plus health insurance?
A Bronze Plus policy is a level up from Bronze, but it’s cheaper than a Silver policy. Bronze Plus health insurance policies cover the 18 categories of services in a private hospital that are listed above, plus at least one of the following treatments not covered by Bronze:
- IVF, pregnancy and birth
- joint replacements
- cataracts
- heart and vascular surgery
- lung cancer and other chest surgery
- medically necessary plastic and reconstructive surgery
- bone marrow transplants and other blood-related treatments
- investigation and treatment for back, neck and spine problems such as for sciatica and scoliosis
- dialysis
- dental surgery (wisdom teeth and dental implants in hospital)
- implantation of hearing devices
- accommodation in hospital for podiatric surgery
- insulin pumps
- sleep studies
- pain management with a device (for example, a surgically implanted device to manage pain caused by heart disease).
If you want cover for a specific treatment in the above list, you may be able to buy a Bronze Plus policy. Otherwise you’ll need a Silver or Silver Plus policy, or a Gold policy with all the bells and whistles.
CHOICE tip: Bronze Plus policies aren’t always more expensive. We’ve found in many states that Bronze Plus policies can be cheaper than some Bronze policies that cover fewer treatments.
How much is Bronze health insurance?
The cost of Bronze and Bronze Plus health insurance varies state by state. The average for a single policy with a $750 excess ranges from $79 in Northern Territory to $142 in Victoria and Queensland. The average cost in the ACT, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania is about $135, and the average cost in Western Australia is $108 (without the health insurance rebate).
What is a health insurance excess?
An excess is an amount of money you pay when you go to hospital. The higher your excess is, the lower your monthly premium will be.
You’re better off with an excess if you’re healthy and don’t plan to go to hospital anytime soon, but consider a low or no excess option if you think you’ll go to hospital sooner rather than later.
What is the cheapest bronze hospital policy?
The price of health insurance varies state by state. We’ve sorted through more than 120 Bronze and Bronze Plus policies to find the cheapest in your state.
If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE now to gain instant access to the cheapest Bronze policies plus all of our independent reviews, including our health insurance comparison tool that lets you compare thousands of health insurance policies from over 40 health insurers.
With our reviews of whitegoods and other recommendations, you could stand to save money across a range of household products and services you use every day.
With our health insurance tool you can compare policies from over 40 health insurers:
- AAMI
- ACA
- AHM
- AIA
- Apia
- Australian Seniors
- Australian Unity
- Bupa
- CBHS Corporate
- CBHS
- Defence Health
- Doctors’ Health
- Emergency Services Health
- Frank
- GMHBA
- HBF
- HCF
- HCI
- HIF
- Health Partners
- Hunter Health
- ING
- Latrobe
- Medibank
- Mildura
- onemedifund
- Navy Health
- NIB
- Nurses & Midwives Health
- Peoplecare
- Phoenix
- Police
- Priceline
- Qantas
- Queensland Country
- Reserve Bank
- Real Insurance
- RT health
- see-u
- St.Lukes Health
- Suncorp
- Teachers Health
- Territory Health Fund
- Transport Health
- TUH
- UniHealth
- Union Health
- Westfund
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Related
Uta worked at CHOICE from 1998-2024, finishing as a senior content producer with the money and travel team.
You can find Uta on LinkedIn.
Uta worked at CHOICE from 1998-2024, finishing as a senior content producer with the money and travel team.
You can find Uta on LinkedIn.
Jodi Bird is the Managing Financial Content Editor at CHOICE. Previously at CHOICE, he worked as Travel project lead and as a Finance specialist.
Jodi has over 30 years experience in financial services, having worked with major banks such as CBA, Westpac and Credit Suisse. He enjoys breaking down complex consumer decisions into easy to understand steps and holding companies to account for failing their customers. He is regularly called upon for expert commentary by major broadcasters such as the ABC, SBS, and Channels 7, 9, and 10.
Jodi has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics from the University of Wollongong. He is RG146 compliance certified to provide general advice for General Insurance and is a Responsible Manager on CHOICE's Australian Financial Services License. LinkedIn
Jodi Bird is the Managing Financial Content Editor at CHOICE. Previously at CHOICE, he worked as Travel project lead and as a Finance specialist.
Jodi has over 30 years experience in financial services, having worked with major banks such as CBA, Westpac and Credit Suisse. He enjoys breaking down complex consumer decisions into easy to understand steps and holding companies to account for failing their customers. He is regularly called upon for expert commentary by major broadcasters such as the ABC, SBS, and Channels 7, 9, and 10.
Jodi has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics from the University of Wollongong. He is RG146 compliance certified to provide general advice for General Insurance and is a Responsible Manager on CHOICE's Australian Financial Services License. LinkedIn
