A Silver hospital policy is the second-highest tier of private hospital cover available in Australia, offering a broad range of treatments for common conditions through to more serious procedures.
It’s suited to people who want more comprehensive protection, whether you have specific health needs, need wider cover for your family or are simply looking for a safety net for the future.
What does Silver health insurance cover?
In Australia, hospital treatments are divided into tiers and regulated by the government, with each level required to include a set range of clinical categories, building on the level below.
Silver policies include everything covered under Basic and Bronze hospital cover, along with additional treatments, offering unrestricted cover for 26 categories and restricted cover for three more.
Restricted categories:
- Rehabilitation
- Hospital psychiatric services
- Palliative care
Unrestricted categories:
- Brain and nervous system
- Eye (not cataracts)
- Ear, nose and throat
- Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
- Bone, joint and muscle
- Joint reconstructions
- Kidney and bladder
- Male reproductive system
- Digestive system
- Hernia and appendix
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Gynaecology
- Miscarriage and termination of pregnancy
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer
- Pain management
- Skin
- Breast surgery (medically necessary)
- Diabetes management (excluding insulin pumps)
- Heart and vascular system
- Lung and chest
- Blood
- Back, neck and spine
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery (medically necessary)
- Dental surgery
- Podiatric surgery
- Implantation of hearing devices
What does Silver health insurance not cover?
While Silver policies cover most clinical categories, they don’t include everything. Standard policies will exclude:
- Cataracts
- Joint replacements
- Dialysis for chronic kidney failure
- Pregnancy and birth
- Assisted reproductive services
- Weight loss surgery
- Insulin pumps
- Pain management with device
- Sleep studies
To access the full range of treatments, you’ll need a Gold hospital policy.
How much does a Silver hospital policy cost?
Silver health insurance policies are more expensive than Basic and Bronze policies due to their higher level of cover, but can be significantly cheaper than Gold cover. Your premium will also vary depending on factors such as:
- Who you’re covering: private health insurance policies for singles are generally cheaper than for couples or families.
- Where you live: premiums vary by state and territory due to differences in healthcare costs and claim rates.
- The provider you choose: while all Silver policies must include the same minimum treatments, insurers can price them differently.
- Your excess: choosing a higher excess can lower your premium, but means higher out-of-pocket costs if you make a claim.
Based on quotes available through Savvy in March 2026, someone living in Sydney could expect to pay:
| Policy type | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Single | $120 – $149 |
| Couple | $241 – $298 |
| Family | $246 – $298 |
| Single parent | $192 – $251 |
| Source: Compare Club, March 2026 Quotes based on 40-year-old adult(s) living in Sydney earning a base-tier income. |
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Why compare health insurance policies through Savvy?
What is a Silver Plus policy?
A Silver Plus policy sits between Silver and Gold tiers, offering at least one additional hospital category normally included in a Gold policy. These plans are often more expensive than standard Silver policies, but still cheaper than Gold.
Providers have more flexibility with what they include, so it’s important to check exactly which categories are covered.
Some insurers may also offer “advanced” Silver Plus plans, which include even more categories, at a higher price.
The ‘Plus’ only refers to the additional hospital categories included on the policy. It does not include other services like dental, optical or physiotherapy. For those, you’ll need to take out an extras policy
Is a Silver health insurance policy right for me?
A standard Silver hospital policy is suited to people who want broad cover without paying for the highest level of inclusions offered by Gold policies. It can be a good middle ground if you’re looking for a higher level of protection at a more affordable price.
Silver cover may suit you if you’re:
- A family that isn’t planning to expand but needs wide-ranging cover for different health needs
- Looking for more comprehensive cover as you get older, even if you don’t currently have health issues
- Older and want cover for common age-related treatments, without needing the most complex procedures
If you have more serious or ongoing health conditions or are planning to start or grow your family, you might want to consider a Silver Plus or Gold policy.
Alternatively, if you’re young and healthy, on a tight budget or simply looking to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, a lower tier may be more cost-effective. If your needs change, you can always review your cover later.
