The value of private health insurance

It’s easy to forget that once your child, known as your dependant*, turns 21 they need to meet certain criteria to remain on your health insurance policy.

Since 2021, dependants can remain on family cover for longer, with the Government increasing the maximum age dependants can stay covered from 24 to 31.

Doctors’ Health Fund adopted these optional reforms in full, reflecting our commitment to supporting our families and younger members.

How can I keep my dependant covered?

Dependants older than 21 can stay on your Doctors' Health Fund family policy if they earn less than $105,000 and are not married or in a de facto relationship. If they are studying full-time, they will be classed as a student dependant allowing them to remain covered on your family policy at no additional cost. If they are no longer studying full time, but meet the other criteria, they will be classed as non-student dependant, and can continue to be covered if you upgrade to an ‘extended family’ policy.

There is no maximum age for a dependant with a disability on a Doctors’ Health Fund Disabled Dependent family policy however, they must earn $105,000 or less annually and participate in the National Disability Insurance Scheme. They can remain on your family policy indefinitely, regardless of whether they have a partner, are married or in a de facto relationship. The policy holder needs to contact 

Doctors’ Health Fund to upgrade their cover to include their dependant with a disability.

Taking out a first health insurance policy

Once your dependant has turned 32, no longer meets the fund’s definition of a dependant, or has decided they would like their own policy, the choice of hospital and extras cover can become overwhelming.

Depending on life stage and pre-existing health conditions, our combined Smart Starter Bronze Plus hospital and Starter Extras is an ideal starting point for first-time health insurance buyers in good health. It covers key clinical categories and essential out-of-hospital services like optical, dental, and physiotherapy. Exclusions, limitations and waiting periods apply.

The youth discount and Lifetime Heath Cover 

Members aged 18 to 29 who take out their own hospital cover may be eligible for an age-based discount of between 2% and 10%, depending on their age when they join. The discount applies to hospital cover only. 

It is also important to be aware of Lifetime Health Cover (LHC). People who do not hold private hospital cover after age 31 and join later in life may pay a loading on their premium for every year they were uninsured. 

*A dependant can refer to your child, stepchild or foster child.
Private health insurance products are issued by The Doctors’ Health Fund Pty Limited, (ACN 001 417 527). Cover is subject to the terms and conditions (including waiting periods, limitations and exclusions) of the individual policy, available at www.doctorshealthfund.com.au/our-cover. © Avant Mutual Group Limited 2026