Australian Unity extras cover
Is Australian Unity Freedom Extras (FRE) worth it?
For one adult in NSW, it costs more than it pays back in all three of the ways of using extras worked through below. It is $84.25 a month before the rebate, $63.93 after.
Three ways of using it
Worked for one adult in NSW, under 65, on the 24.118% rebate, over a year, at typical prices: $200 for general dental, $300 for optical and $90 for physiotherapy.
One dental check-up a year
$726 behind
That costs $200 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $767 in premiums and get $41 back.
136th of the 219 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this. nib’s DentalPass does best, $716 better off over the year.
Two dental visits and new glasses
$435 behind
That costs $700 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $767 in premiums and get $332 back.
98th of the 189 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this. Latrobe’s Core Essential Extras does best, $484 better off over the year.
Two dental visits, new glasses and six physio sessions
$75 behind
That costs $1,240 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $767 in premiums and get $692 back.
66th of the 181 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this. HCF’s Flex My Extras does best, $445 better off over the year.
Your year won’t look like any of those.
Put in what you actually use and the calculator sets this policy beside every other one, with the working.
What it pays
| Service | Benefit | Yearly limit | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Dental | $41 a visit | $800 | 2 months |
| Major Dental | $213 a visit | $800shared with endodontic (root canal) | 12 months |
| Endodontic (Root Canal) | $199 a visit | $800shared with major dental | 12 months |
| Orthodontic | 100% of the fee | $700 | 12 months |
| Optical | 100% of the fee | $250 | 6 months |
| Non-PBS Medications | $50 a visit | $400 | 2 months |
| Physiotherapy | $60 a visit | $500shared with exercise physiology | 2 months |
| Chiropractic | $40 a visit | $350shared with osteopathy | 2 months |
| Podiatry | $40 a visit | $300shared with orthotics | 2 months |
| Psychology | $80 a visit | $400 | 2 months |
| Acupuncture | $40 a visit | $300shared with remedial massage | 2 months |
| Remedial Massage | $40 a visit | $300shared with acupuncture | 2 months |
| Audiology | $70 a visit | $300shared with orthoptics, occupational therapy and speech therapy | 2 months |
| Dietetics | $40 a visit | $400 | 2 months |
| Exercise Physiology | $60 a visit | $500shared with physiotherapy | 2 months |
| Orthoptics | $70 a visit | $300shared with audiology, occupational therapy and speech therapy | 2 months |
| Occupational Therapy | $70 a visit | $300shared with audiology, orthoptics and speech therapy | 2 months |
| Orthotics | 70% of the fee | $300shared with podiatry | 12 months |
| Osteopathy | $40 a visit | $350shared with chiropractic | 2 months |
| Speech Therapy | $70 a visit | $300shared with audiology, orthoptics and occupational therapy | 2 months |
| Vaccinations | 70% of the fee | $200 | None |
As listed for one adult in NSW. A percentage is of the provider’s fee; a dollar figure is the most paid per visit. Where a benefit differs by item, the commonest one is shown.
Conditions to know
This policy limits how often you can claim. Benefits may be reduced if you exceed the frequency cap.
Multiple services share a single annual limit pool.
Limits are shared across all members on this policy, not per person.
Special waiting period rules may apply.
What it costs
| State | Single | Couple | Family | Single parent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $84.25 | $164.65 | $185.35 | $143.20 |
| VIC | $85.10 | $166.85 | $187.20 | $144.65 |
| QLD | $89.80 | $177.85 | $197.55 | $152.65 |
| WA | $87.95 | $171.50 | $193.50 | $149.50 |
| SA | $92.70 | $180.75 | $203.95 | $157.60 |
| TAS | $79.75 | $156.75 | $175.45 | $135.55 |
| NT | $74.35 | $146.15 | $163.55 | $126.40 |
Listed premiums a month, before the rebate. The rebate takes 24.118% off for most households under 65.
What beats it
For two dental visits and new glasses, from funds anyone can join:
- 1Latrobe Core Essential Extras+$49 ahead
- 2Health Partners Flex Extras: Eyes+$47 ahead
- 3HCF Flex My Extras+$45 ahead
Worked from the Australian Government’s Private Health Open Listing, 01-Oct-2026, with the same sums as the calculator: listed premiums after the rebate, benefits capped by each policy’s limits and waiting periods. Product code I41/NHVU10 on privatehealth.gov.au. How the sums work.
This is general information, not personal financial advice. Confirm the premium and benefits with the fund before you buy or switch. Independent of every fund listed · No affiliate fees, no commissions.