The private health care system in Australia is funded by a number of private health insurance organisations.
Medibank Private is the largest private health insurer in Australia, and is owned by the government but operates as a separate entity. Medibank operates under the same strict regulations that other privately owned insurers are subject to.
Plans to privatise Medibank Private in 2007 under the Howard government were blocked by Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party when they won the election.
Health insurance organisations may be either ?for profit? enterprises, or operate as a ?non-profit? organisation. HCF Health Insurance and GMHBA Health Insurance are examples non-profit insurers.
Insurers may also choose to open up membership to a certain demographic. For example, insurance company APIA only offers insurance to those over the age of 55 and no longer working full time. The majority of insurers in Australia however have open membership with varying rates depending on age, gender, occupation etc.