How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Australia? (2026)

For accident-and-illness cover, Canstar's 2026 averages are about $807 a year for a cat and $1,358–$1,461 a year for a dog (small to large). Add optional routine care and those rise to roughly $930 for a cat and $1,551–$1,683 for a dog. Across the market it ranges from under $600 a year for basic accident-only cover to $2,500+ for high-risk breeds like French Bulldogs. This is general information, not financial advice — premiums vary by pet, breed, age and postcode, so always get a personalised quote and read the PDS.

On the Canstar 2026 averages, a cat works out to about $67 a month and a dog roughly $110–$140 a month for accident-and-illness cover. New-business comprehensive cover (accident, illness plus routine care) typically runs about $81–$120 a month (PFS Consulting, 2024). Paying monthly is convenient, but some insurers offer a discount — often around a month free — if you pay annually instead.

Yes — cats are markedly cheaper to insure. A cat averages about $807 a year versus $1,358–$1,461 for a dog (Canstar, 2026), so roughly $67 a month for a cat against $110–$140 for a dog. Cats tend to have fewer and lower-cost claims and aren't subject to the large-breed orthopaedic risks (cruciate, hip) that drive dog premiums up.

Premiums climb every year because older pets are statistically more likely to get sick and claim. A small dog averages about $894 a year under age 1 but around $1,890 by age 6–7 — roughly double (Canstar, 2025). On top of that, premiums rose about 9.9% for dogs and 8.7% for cats in the last year as vet costs increased (vet CPI was up 5.8%). Most insurers also won't sell new illness or comprehensive cover once a pet is around 9, leaving only accident-only.

The biggest levers are the ones you choose: pick a higher excess ($250 or $500 instead of $0), take 70–80% reimbursement instead of 90%, and choose a lower annual limit if you could self-fund the tail. Insuring while your pet is young helps too, since premiums roughly double by age 6–7. Other savings include accident-only cover for older pets, paying annually if a discount applies, and multi-pet discounts. Always compare the PDS, not just the brand — PetSure underwrites most Australian pet-insurance brands, so policies can be near-identical under different names.

It can be, for the right owner. Accident-only is the cheapest tier — often 50–70% less than comprehensive — and it's frequently the only cover available for pets over about 9. The catch is that it only covers injuries (a snake bite, a car accident, a swallowed object), not illnesses like cancer, infections or diabetes, which drive the biggest vet bills. It suits a tight budget or an older pet, but for most younger pets accident-and-illness cover gives far broader protection. Read the PDS to see exactly what's in and out.