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Reviewed and updated 29 May 2024

About Australian Unity

What is Australian Unity?

Australian Unity is a private health insurer that operates as an open health fund

Background

Australian Unity began in 1840 as the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (Manchester Unity). It merged with Australian Natives Association Friendly Society (ANA) in 1993 to form Australian Unity. 

Australian Unity claims it is Australia’s first member-owned wellbeing company. It offers services in health insurance, banking and insurance, wealth and investments, as well as independent and assisted living.

Who can join Australian Unity? 

Anyone can join Australian Unity because it is an open health fund.

What products does Australian Unity Offer? 

Australian Unity offers:

Do Australian Unity health insurance policies offer Ambulance Cover? 

Australian Unity includes emergency Ambulance Cover with:

  • Hospital Cover
  • Combined Hospital and Extras Cover.

Check your policy to see whether your Ambulance Cover is capped.


Is Australian Unity a not-for-profit health insurer?

No. Australian Unity is a for-profit health insurer.


Does Australian Unity operate in all Australian states and territories?

Yes. Australian Unity operates in all Australian states and territories.


How does Australian Unity Hospital Cover compare with other insurers?

BenchmarksAustralian UnityIndustry average
Member retention for Hospital Cover79.0%86.9%
% hospital-related charges covered88.7%89.9%

Source: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman: State of the Health Funds Report 2023


Does Australian Unity have agreements with some private hospitals or day hospitals to provide services at low cost or with no out-of-pocket costs?

Yes. Australian Unity has agreements with a number of private hospitals that allow it to provide services to its members at low cost or with no out-of-pocket costs:

LocationNumber of private Agreement HospitalsIndustry maximum
ACT56
NSW9098
NT22
QLD4960
SA1923
TAS89
VIC7376
WA2124

Australian Unity also has agreements with a number of day hospitals so it can provide services at low cost or with no out-of-pocket costs:

LocationNumber of day Agreement HospitalsIndustry maximum
ACT89
NSW86103
NT12
QLD4757
SA2330
TAS38
VIC6879
WA1924

Source: Australian Unity: performance


How does Australian Unity Extras Cover compare with other insurers?

BenchmarkAustralian UnityIndustry average
% Extras Cover charges covered51.7%51.1%

Source: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman: State of the Health Funds Report 2023


How does Australian Unity compare with other private health insurers?

BenchmarksAustralian UnityIndustry average
Market share2.2%
% services with no gap91.4%88.3%
% services with no gap or where known gap payment made97.8%97.2%
Market share of complaints to the PHIO4.7%3.1%
% complaints investigated by the PHIO1.6%3.1%–
Benefits as a % of contributions70.0%80.5%
Management expenses as a % of contribution income13.8%13.1%
Management expenses per average policy$570$592

Source: Private Health Insurance Ombudsman: State of the Health Funds Report 2023


Is Australian Unity a member of any industry organisations? 

Yes. Australian Unity is a member of Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), a body that represents 21 registered health insurers and 98% of people covered by private health insurance. 

It is also a member of the Members Health Fund Alliance, an alliance of not-for-profit, member-owned, regional or community-based health insurers.


Does Australian Unity let me claim online or via an app?

Yes. Australian Unity allows you to make a claim via its online portal or health app.


How to contact Australian Unity

Phone:

13 29 39

Website:

https://www.australianunity.com.au/health-insurance

Email:

Via an email web form

Address:

271 Spring Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Postal address:

Claims
Reply Paid 91943
MELBOURNE VIC 3000


Compare Australian Unity with other private health insurance funds

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