![Image: Flaticon private contract](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2021/07/private-contract_flaticon_512x512.png)
Key takeaways
- You cannot waive waiting periods for hospital treatment, but you can transfer if you switch funds.
- You will need to serve a 2-month waiting period for most hospital treatment and longer if it is a pre-existing condition.
- Only extras policies will let you skip waiting periods for out-of-hospital care such as dental.
Can I get health insurance with no waiting period?
![Icon from www.flaticon.com No waiting period hospital](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/06/no-waiting-period-hospital.png)
No for hospital
You can't skip waiting periods for hospital treatment in a private hospital. You will always need to have hospital insurance for at least 2 months before you can claim or 12 months if you need treatment for a pre-existing condition.
![Icon from www.flaticon.com No waiting period extras](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/06/no-waiting-period-extras-1.png)
Yes for extras
Some extras insurance policies let you skip waiting periods for general dental, optical, physio and more. Remember, extras refers to out-of-hospital treatment only.
Can I get hospital insurance with no waiting period?
Hospital insurance always has a waiting period of at least 2 months. This is the same for all insurers. They need to adhere to the guidelines set out by the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman. The only exception to this is when you're switching funds – served waiting periods will transfer over.
![Icon from www.flaticon.com Pregnancy](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/02/pregnant_flaticon_512x512.png)
Pregnancy: 12 months
All childbirth and pregnancy services come with a 12-month waiting period before you can claim on health insurance.
![Icon from www.flaticon.com Pre-existing conditions](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2017/04/pain-in-joints.png)
Pre-existing conditions: 12 months
You will need to wait 12 months if the medical issue you need treatment for is considered a pre-existing condition. For example, if you tear a ligament, then you take out health insurance, you will need to wait 12 months for surgery. There will generally be medical records showing if you had your illness or injury before you took out insurance.
![Icon from www.flaticon.com Rehabilitation](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2017/04/physical-therapy.png)
Psychiatric care, rehabilitation and palliative care: 2 months
All psychiatric care, rehabilitation or palliative care has a 2-month waiting period – even if it's considered a pre-existing condition.
![Icon from www.flaticon.com Hospital](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2021/06/hospital_flaticon_512x512.png)
Hospital treatment: 2 months
When you take out hospital insurance, you will need to pay for cover for 2 months before you are covered. Health insurers are not allowed to waive hospital waiting periods.
![Image: Flaticon private contract](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2021/07/private-contract_flaticon_512x512.png)
How much does health insurance cost?
We ask hundreds of Australians what they're paying for health insurance every month. Here's what their bill looked like in August 2024.- Extras only: $73
- Basic: $92
- Bronze: $145
- Silver: $176
- Gold: $216
Can I get extras insurance with no waiting period?
Yes. You can skip general dental waiting periods with some of ahm's policies. These are the only policies to permanently offer this benefit. We looked at all health insurance policies on the market.
All come with the following perks:
- You get to skip 2- and 6-month waiting periods for general dental as well as optical, psychology, pharmacy and remedial massages.
- You get up to 2 free dental check-ups per year – just make sure you use one of ahm's partner dentists.
- You also get 100% back on optical – this includes frames, prescription lenses and contact lenses.
We arranged our top picks from the least to the most comprehensive.
Lifestyle Extras
![](https://www.finder.com.au/niche-builder/61d99d26df4c8.png)
- General Dental
- Major Dental
- Optical
- Physiotherapy
- Hearing aids
Family extras
![](https://www.finder.com.au/niche-builder/61d99d26df4c8.png)
- General Dental
- Major Dental
- Optical
- Physiotherapy
- Hearing aids
Super extras
![](https://www.finder.com.au/niche-builder/61d99d26df4c8.png)
- General Dental
- Major Dental
- Optical
- Physiotherapy
- Hearing aids
![Gary Ross Hunter's headshot](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/12/GaryHunter_Finder.jpg)
"I usually take out extras cover a couple times a year when I need a dental check-up. I always go with an insurer like ahm that has no waiting period, then book through one of its no-gap providers."
Why compare health insurance with Finder?
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We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices.
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With 1 click, you can open your results to nearly every fund in Australia.
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You pay the same price as going direct – we charge no fees.
Why compare with us
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You'll pay the same price as going direct - we don't charge fees
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We don't ask for your phone number to see prices
Sign-up deals that waive waiting periods
You'll often see health funds offer sign-up deals that let you skip 2- and 6-month waiting periods, typically for extras only. Here is the list of all sign-up deals currently offered by Finder health insurance partners. Not every deal below offers zero waiting periods for extras, so you'll need to check the details.
Frequently asked questions about no waiting periods
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