Unexpected health expenses have been dubbed the biggest pet peeve, with Compare the Market research revealing tooth aches, injuries and sudden illnesses also annoy.
Nearly one-in-five of Australians surveyed (16.4%) said unexpected or unplanned expenses were their biggest health bugbear. This was followed by paying for the dentist (11.9%) and paying for short and expensive specialist appointments (10.0%).
It’s no surprise when a full metallic crown can cost up to $1,650, a colonoscopy is around $200 out of pocket for private patients depending on their level of cover (excluding hospital fees), and a physio appointment could set you back upwards of $110 in parts of the country.
However, while some of these concerns could be fully or partially covered by an appropriate private health insurance policy, almost one-in-three Australians said they don’t think it is worth having (31.7%).
Top five health bugbears
| Health Pet Peeve | Proportion of Responses (%) |
| Unexpected or unplanned expenses (such as a toothache, injury, sudden illness, etc.) | 16.4% |
| Paying for the dentist | 11.9% |
| Paying a lot of money for a specialist, only to see them for a quick period | 10.0% |
| Paying to go to a doctor for a recurring script or medical certificate | 9.5% |
| GPs always running behind | 8.9% |
Source: Compare the Market
Many participants felt health insurance could be useful in spite of rising premiums (41.1%); however, a high proportion of respondents had not changed their policy in more than three years (44.7%).
Compare the Market’s Economic Director David Koch said health insurance was worth considering, especially when specialist fees could be expensive.
“It is a bitter pill to swallow – we already have so many bills and expenses to deal with, adding a health issue into the mix can be a kick in the guts,” Mr Koch said.
“With some private specialists charging patients high fees for consultations, seeking medical care can become a financial barrier when Australians are facing a range of cost-of-living pressures.
“Finding a health insurance policy can help ease the pressure with some policies covering part, or potentially all your out-of-pocket costs for certain treatments.
“We know a record number of Australians currently have some form of private health cover but not everyone is getting the best value.
“Almost half of Australians haven’t switched their health insurer in three years or more. Those people could potentially be paying too much, especially if they are paying for cover they no longer need or use.
“It’s a good idea to shop around for a better policy every year or so to make sure you’re getting more for your money.”
Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,013 Australians in June 2025.
When referencing the research, please attribute: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/news/health-pet-peeves-2025/
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