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Aussie households set for a triple-whammy bill price hike from today

Maddison Skipper
Maddison Skipper

Updated . First published

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Australians are set for a triple-whammy of price hikes across health insurance premiums, energy bills and mortgage repayments starting from today.

The average cost of private health insurance is set to jump by more than 4 per cent today, hitting many Aussies in the hip pocket.

Electricity bills will also spike this month due to energy rebate expirations, and homeowners will feel the sting of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) latest rate hike.

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Adult woman female hand pulling out Australian money from a leather wallet.

Here's everything you need to know about the changes ahead of time. Getty Images/iStockphoto

There are no changes to superannuation or pensions coming into effect on April 1, contrary to claims generated by AI and circulated on social media.

But the fuel excise cut that came into effect today should ease the sting at the bowser for many Aussies.

Here's everything you need to know about the three household bills about to spike.

Health insurance premiums

The cost of private health insurance has skyrocketed today.

In February, the federal government approved an average premium increase of 4.41 per cent, up from last year's 3.73 per cent increase.

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It is the largest health insurance premium price hike in nearly a decade.

READ MORE: As fuel excise set to be halved, when will fuel prices in Australia go down?

bupa

The average cost of private health insurance is about to surge. Getty

Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said it reflected the rising costs of providing medical and hospital services, increasing wage bills and securing the viability of private hospitals.

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And it's going to cost everyday Aussies an extra $80 to $160 a year, depending on their cover.

The actual premium change will vary between insurers and policies.

Some insurers are raising prices by an average of up to 5.47 per cent, while others are hiking fees by just 1.98 per cent.

Search the table below to find out how much your insurer is increasing price by.

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Mortgage rates

The RBA announced another interest rate hike to 4.1 per cent in March, which will take a toll on Aussie households this month.

On average, March's increase will add up to $151 to mortgage holders' monthly repayments.

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Combined with February's hike, the total increase on monthly repayments could be as high as $301 for some homeowners.

The next RBA monetary policy meeting is scheduled for early May and a third rate hike hasn't been ruled out.

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The impact of a 0.25 per cent hike in March based on monthly repayments.

The impact of a 0.25 per cent hike in March based on monthly repayments. Canstar

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Energy bills

The Energy Bill Relief Fund (EBRF) ended on December 31, meaning many Aussie households will receive their first quarterly bill without a rebate in April.

That's if they haven't already been slugged.

The EBRF was introduced in 2023, expanded in 2024 and extended in 2025 to the tune of about $1.8 billion.

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Between July and December 2025, it slashed up to $150 from the electricity bills of eligible Aussie homes and small businesses in the form of two $75 rebates.

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The rebates were automatically applied and offered millions of Aussies relief in the cost of living crisis.

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Now they're gone and households will be feeling the pinch.

Money could get even tighter soon as the ongoing fuel crisis threatens to send energy prices soaring.

It's unclear if a new energy rebate will be introduced in the 2026-2027 federal budget.

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