Pet insurance in Australia: what it costs
What a typical dog and cat policy costs in Australia, how the size of the breed changes it, and what to check before you buy.
Checked 8 November 2026
Typical price
Dog
68 AUD a month, about 816 AUD a year
Mozo (Jul 2026, citing Finder 2026 data): comprehensive dog cover about 821 AUD/yr (~68/month) for a 5-year-old. iSelect (quotes May 2026, VIC): 1-year-old Cavoodle, accident and illness, 35-88/month; 2-year-old Beagle 145.74. source
Cat
31 AUD a month, about 372 AUD a year
Mozo (Jul 2026, citing Finder 2026 data): accident and illness cover for a 5-year-old cat about 370 AUD/yr (~31/month). iSelect (May 2026, VIC): 2-month-old domestic shorthair kitten 62.84/month. source
By size
| Size | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Toy | 44.88 AUD | 538.56 AUD |
| Small | 53.04 AUD | 636.48 AUD |
| Medium | 59.16 AUD | 709.92 AUD |
| Large | 75.48 AUD | 905.76 AUD |
| Giant | 102 AUD | 1,224 AUD |
Our estimate: the typical price scaled by the size of the dog. Real quotes depend on the breed, its age, the cover and the excess.
Check your breed
Estimates for popular breeds
| Breed | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | 67.32 AUD | 808 AUD |
| French Bulldog | 97.24 AUD | 1,167 AUD |
| German Shepherd Dog | 73.44 AUD | 881 AUD |
| Golden Retriever | 63.92 AUD | 767 AUD |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 55.08 AUD | 661 AUD |
| English Cocker Spaniel | 56.44 AUD | 677 AUD |
| Chihuahua | 42.84 AUD | 514 AUD |
| Border Collie | 55.08 AUD | 661 AUD |
| Mixed breed (dog) | 51 AUD | 612 AUD |
| Mixed breed (cat) | 26.35 AUD | 316 AUD |
| Maine Coon | 30.69 AUD | 368 AUD |
| British Shorthair | 29.14 AUD | 350 AUD |
| Ragdoll | 27.59 AUD | 331 AUD |
Before you buy
- New policies often have an age limit, so insuring young is cheaper and easier.
- There is usually a waiting period before illness cover starts.
- Conditions the animal already has are not covered.
- Check whether hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia are covered. Each breed page lists the ones to ask about.
- A higher excess or co-payment lowers the price but raises what you pay at the vet.
- Look at the yearly limit. One operation can cost more than a cheap policy pays out.
Rules and costs for dogs in Australia → Pet insurance by country
Prices are typical published prices, not a quote. Pet Wiki is not an insurer or a broker.