Defence Health extras cover · restricted fund
Is Defence Health Standard Extras worth it?
For one adult in NSW, it pays back more than it costs in one of the three ways of using extras worked through below, and costs more than it pays back in the other two. It is $32.16 a month before the rebate, $24.40 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
$263 behind
That costs $200 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $293 in premiums and get $30 back.
Against the 219 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this, it would sit 29th. nib’s DentalPass does best, $253 better off over the year.
Two dental visits and new glasses
$83 behind
That costs $700 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $293 in premiums and get $210 back.
Against the 189 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this, it would sit 20th. Latrobe’s Core Essential Extras does best, $132 better off over the year.
Two dental visits, new glasses and six physio sessions
+$49 ahead
That costs $1,240 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $293 in premiums and get $342 back.
Against the 181 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this, it would sit 44th. HCF’s Flex My Extras does best, $320 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 | $30 a visit | $400shared with major dental, endodontic (root canal) and orthodontic | 2 months |
| Major Dental | $82 a visit | $400shared with general dental, endodontic (root canal) and orthodontic | 12 months |
| Endodontic (Root Canal) | $122 a visit | $400shared with general dental, major dental and orthodontic | 12 months |
| Orthodontic | $400 a visit | $400shared with general dental, major dental and endodontic (root canal) | 12 months |
| Optical | 100% of the fee | $150 | 2 months |
| Non-PBS Medications | $50 a visit | $250 | 2 months |
| Physiotherapy | $30 a visit first, then $22 a visit | $450shared with chiropractic, antenatal/postnatal and osteopathy | 2 months |
| Chiropractic | $30 a visit first, then $22 a visit | $450shared with physiotherapy, antenatal/postnatal and osteopathy | 2 months |
| Acupuncture | $19 a visit first, then $15 a visit | $150shared with remedial massage | 2 months |
| Remedial Massage | $19 a visit first, then $15 a visit | $150shared with acupuncture | 2 months |
| Antenatal/Postnatal | $10 a visit | $450shared with physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy | 2 months |
| Osteopathy | $30 a visit first, then $22 a visit | $450shared with physiotherapy, chiropractic and antenatal/postnatal | 2 months |
| Vaccinations | $50 a visit | $250 | 2 months |
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.
What it costs
| State | Single | Couple | Family | Single parent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All states | $32.16 | $64.32 | $72.36 | $32.16 |
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 I2/AARL10 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.