Company History
Established in 1952, nib is one of Australia's fastest growing health funds.
2022
We unveil a new brand refresh to better reflect nib’s mission of becoming a health partner.
nib announces a flood disaster relief package providing members in flood-affected areas access to a 30-day premium waiver and the option to elect to suspend their policy for three months. A $50,000 donation was also made by nib foundation to the Lifeline Direct to fund the new fit-out of their call centre in Lismore after it was sadly destroyed during the floods.
In a first-of-its-kind product offering nib launches GreenPass, a new membership which provides access to a range of exclusive health and wellness benefits without the need to take out a traditional health insurance product.
nib establishes a new whitelabel partnership with Priceline, allowing Australians to purchase Priceline-branded health insurance hospital and ancillary cover.
We celebrate our platinum anniversary - 70 years’ of supporting the better health of our members. Our travel insurance brand, World Nomads, also turns 20 and, across the ditch, nib New Zealand commemorates its 10th anniversary with the nib Group.
To support our members impacted by the pandemic, we postponed our premium increases for seven months, bringing our total COVID-19 support package to almost $100 million.
nib Skincare launches, a free online tool designed to provide Australians with personalised insights into their skin health and recommendations on how to reduce their risk of skin cancer.
We were one of nine Australian companies to be included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index for a third year running.
2021
nib launches our distributed working strategy 'Life at nib', giving our people the option in not only where they work, but also when and how. In addition, we introduce a $1,200 distributed work allowance to contribute to the reasonable ongoing costs of working remotely.
We announce the sale of our digital healthcare directory platform, Whitecoat, to Commonwealth Bank.
Our Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Action Plan launches, which outlines nib’s actions and objectives over the next three years to foster community where everyone is welcome, contributes and belongs.
nib New Zealand acquires Kiwi Insurance Limited and enters an exclusive relationship with Kiwibank Limited which will see the bank refer its retail customers to nib for their life and living insurance.
We introduce new member experiences including digital member cards, Well with nib health app, and the introduction of nibby voice – a voice-based customer service bot.
nib foundation expands their Health Smart Grants program to New Zealand for the first time.
nib’s brand partnerships are now fifty percent invested in women's sport across three top tier sporting codes, NRLW, AFLW and New Zealand Super Rugby Women's competition.
nib establishes a new whitelabel partnership with ING Bank, which allows Australians to purchase health insurance under the ING Health label.
We receive recognition for our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, receiving the CQ Tick, Rainbow Tick and Accessibility Tick in New Zealand.
2020
nib offers a bushfire relief package which provides a three-month health insurance premium waiver to members living in bushfire-affected areas. nib foundation also donates $100,000 to Australian Red Cross to assist with community rebuilding efforts with an additional $15,000 raised by employees for the same charity. We launch our COVID-19 member and community support package to help members stay safe and healthy and maintain their cover throughout the pandemic.
nib Travel announces a new travel insurance product that offers cover for some COVID-19 related events for travellers.
Our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan launches to learn and reflect on what it means to truly reconcile with our First Nations peoples.
nib foundation commits $1 million over four years to help build emotional and social wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and young adults through the establishment of a new Aboriginal Health Partnerships program.
nib is placed 87th globally and seventh in Australia, earning a top spot on Refinitiv’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Index.
For the first time, nib releases its Modern Slavery Statement to help improve the visibility and understanding of our supply chain and ethical procurement practices and protect the human rights of our members, travellers and wider community.
2019
nib establishes a health services joint venture with Cigna Corporation. The specialist healthcare data science and services company, known as Honeysuckle Health, has the specific purpose of delivering better health outcomes for members and communities generally.
We launch our Clinical Partners program which guarantees arhi members no out-of-pocket expense for knee and hip replacement surgery. In addition, access is provided where appropriate to home rehabilitation services.
For the first time nib holdings limited is included within the ASX100.
We become the first major partner of Richmond’s inaugural AFLW team and extend of our Principal Sponsorship of the nib Newcastle Knights for a further three seasons.
In a first for the Australian health industry we launch nib Skill for Amazon Alexa to better connect members to local health providers and health insurance information.
nib foundation announces a donation of $1 million to help fund programs aimed specifically at ‘closing the gap’ in health and life expectancy outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We complete the purchase of QBE’s travel insurance business (QBE Travel). In addition, our World Nomads Group travel business rebrands to nib Travel to support our growth plans.
2018
nib launches our Going to Hospital tool to help members work out whether they are covered for a specific hospital procedure, how much it might cost and which specialist they should see.
We expand our First Choice Network, which features a growing community of trusted ancillary health professionals, to provide members with peace of mind, lower costs and reduced out-of-pocket expenses.
nib launches the first ever Maori population health initiative with Auckland iwi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to provide free universal private health insurance as well as wellness programs for their members.
We launch our successful Whitecoat platform in New Zealand.
We announce a partnership with Tasly Holding Group, a large Chinese pharmaceutical company, with plans to sell a critical illness product in China.
nib acquires QBE's travel insurance business, QBE Travel, as part of our World Nomads Group expansion.
2017
GU Health is welcomed into the nib family after our acquisition of the specialist corporate private health insurer.
nib holdings limited enters the S&P/ASX200 meaning we are one of the 200 largest stocks present on the Australian Securities Exchange.
We introduce artificial intelligence technology to assist customers with their enquiries with the launch of the first chatbots for private health insurance in Australia and New Zealand.
We join the Tiger army securing a new three-year joint-major partnership with the Richmond Football Club.
nib holdings limited marks its 10 year anniversary of listing on the ASX.
2016
nib and Suncorp announce distribution alliance offering health insurance under the Suncorp and Apia brands.
We become principal naming rights partners with Newcastle Knights.
nib establishes a whitelabel partnership with The Automobile Association in New Zealand.
We join forces with health insurance companies Bupa and HBF to expand nib's health provider directory, Whitecoat.
2015
nib acquires World Nomad's Group (WNG), Australia's third largest travel insurance provider.
We launch a new whitelabelling partnership with Qantas, called Qantas Assure, which rewards customers with Qantas Points for being active.
nib reaches a significant milestone in the company's history signing our one millionth Australian Residents Health Insurance (arhi) customer.
2014
nib and Apia enter strategic distribution alliance to sell private health insurance under the Apia brand.
We sign on with Super Rugby team the Auckland Blues as major sponsor for a three year period.
nib launches nib Options, a cosmetic surgery and dental service which offers Australian consumers treatment from highly reputable clinical specialists in accredited facilities both in Australia and overseas.
2013
nib launches Whitecoat a search and comparison website that will help Australian consumers make better purchasing decisions.
2012
nib drives expansion into the international market by acquiring TOWER Medical Insurance Limited in New Zealand, forming nib New Zealand.
nib and United Healthcare International join forces with the announcement of a strategic alliance through which nib will support UnitedHealthcare International's customers while in Australia.
nib celebrates its 60 year anniversary.
2011
nib premium revenue reaches $1 billion for the first time in financial year 2011.
We establish a unique partnership with Hunter Sports Group, with a sponsorship agreement with the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle Jets. The pioneering deal is the first of its kind in Australian sport.
nib announces $75 million Capital Return to shareholders.
nib welcomes new Chairman, Steve Crane after long standing predecessor, Keith Lynch retires.
2010
nib enters the International Workers Health Cover market, with the acquisition of IMAN, a specialist provider of health cover for temporary migrant workers in Australia.
nib secures naming rights to Perth's premium sports and entertainment venue, to be known as nib Stadium.
We introduce Australia's first mobile phone claiming service through our first smartphone application that allows customers to comprehensively manage their health cover directly from their mobile phone.
2008
nib foundation is established through a $25 million donation from the demutualisation of nib. The charity organisation aims to provide funding support for programs addressing national health issues.
nib enters into its first NSW Blues sponsorship partnership with our logo appearing on the jersey sleeve.
2007
nib members vote in favour of demutualising and pursuing listing the health fund on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
In November, the demutualisation is completed and nib becomes Australia's first private health insurer to list on the ASX.
nib signs on as an elite partner of AFL team, Geelong Cats.
2006
nib negotiates the sale of Newcastle Private Hospital to Healthscope, Australia's largest operators of private hospitals.
2004
Newcastle Private Hospital, owned and developed by nib health funds, opens its doors in April. The facility complements the existing nib Private Hospital.
2003
nib acquires Victorian based health fund IOOF Health Services.
2000
The Government's introduction of Lifetime Health Cover sees membership increase considerably.
nib introduces MediGap, an incentive that eliminates medical gap payments for nib members undergoing treatment in a private hospital when these services are conducted by participating medical practitioners.
1997
nib's Call Centre officially opens.
1994
nib Private Hospital opens.
1993
nib begins interstate operations in Queensland in April. Victoria, South Australia and ACT follow in December.
1987
The nib Day Hospital opens.
1984
Medicare was introduced and nib membership dropped but quickly recovered through a vigorous advertising campaign.
1982
nib opens its first Sydney branch.
1981
The Store Medical and Hospital Fund amalgamates with nib.
1978
Hunter Medical Benefits Fund amalgamates with nib bringing another 8,000 members.
1977
Newcastle Industrial Benefits officially changed to nib health funds ltd.
1976
Medibank Private came into existence and nib membership virtually tripled.
1975
South Coast Medical Fund amalgamated with nib and membership increased by 10,000 in the Illawarra region.
1953
Newcastle Industrial Benefits Medical Fund established.
1952
Newcastle Industrial Benefits (nib) Hospital Fund established by workers at BHP Steelworks, Mayfield.