HBF extras cover
Is HBF Smart Start 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 $22.16 a month before the rebate, $16.82 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
$178 behind
That costs $200 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $202 in premiums and get $24 back.
16th of the 219 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this. nib’s DentalPass does best, $168 better off over the year.
Two dental visits and new glasses
$34 behind
That costs $700 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $202 in premiums and get $168 back.
11th of the 189 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this. Latrobe’s Core Essential Extras does best, $83 better off over the year.
Two dental visits, new glasses and six physio sessions
+$164 ahead
That costs $1,240 with no cover. On this policy you’d pay $202 in premiums and get $366 back.
15th of the 181 policies from funds anyone can join that cover this. HCF’s Flex My Extras does best, $205 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 | $24 a visit | $350 | 2 months |
| Optical | 100% of the fee | $120 | 2 months |
| Physiotherapy | $39 a visit first, then $33 a visit | $200shared with chiropractic and osteopathy | 2 months |
| Chiropractic | $35 a visit first, then $23 a visit | $200shared with physiotherapy and osteopathy | 2 months |
| Acupuncture | $29 a visit | $100shared with remedial massage, chinese herbal medicine and health management | 2 months |
| Remedial Massage | $29 a visit | $100shared with acupuncture, chinese herbal medicine and health management | 2 months |
| Chinese Herbal Medicine | $15 a visit | $100shared with acupuncture, remedial massage and health management | 2 months |
| Health Management | 50% of the fee | $100shared with acupuncture, remedial massage and chinese herbal medicine | 2 months |
| Osteopathy | $46 a visit first, then $33 a visit | $200shared with physiotherapy and chiropractic | 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.
Conditions to know
Multiple services share a single annual limit pool.
What it costs
| State | Single | Couple | Family | Single parent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | $22.16 | $44.32 | $44.32 | $37.67 |
| VIC | $21.64 | $43.28 | $43.28 | $36.76 |
| QLD | $22.73 | $45.45 | $45.45 | $38.63 |
| WA | $21.20 | $42.41 | $42.41 | $36.02 |
| SA | $22.73 | $45.45 | $45.45 | $38.63 |
| TAS | $16.86 | $33.72 | $33.72 | $28.64 |
| NT | $14.95 | $29.90 | $29.90 | $25.38 |
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 I33/NBTWU10 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.