Part of the policing family since 1935
History
Police Health commenced on 1 August 1935 to support police and their families in times of need.
In the years since little has changed. The reasons that prompted a meeting of police employees to endorse the creation of their own fund are just as compelling now as they were then.
The original 363 members wanted peace of mind – the security of knowing that they would be fully supported if they or a family member became sick.
Police Health Limited now covers more than 85,000 members Australia-wide.
From its humble beginnings Police Health has evolved into a highly competitive and modern health fund. But the core reason for its existence remains the same – providing quality, value-for-money health care for police and their families. Many are unaware of our long history and so we present the following record.
Our history
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A meeting of police employees in Adelaide's City Watch House on 28 May endorses the creation of a health fund. The South Australian Police Department Employees' Hospital Fund officially begins business on 1 August with 363 members.
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The South Australian Commissioner of Police makes membership of the fund a condition of employment for police in South Australia.
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On 1 February the fund's name is changed to the South Australian Police Employees' Health Fund. Nine months later it was incorporated under the Associations Incorporations Act. The fund's membership at 30 June 1984 was 4238.
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Police Health is registered as a certified business name by the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs. The Fund introduces general treatment (extras) cover.
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The South Australian Commissioner of Police removes a condition of employment requiring serving police officers to be a member of one of Police Health's hospital tables.
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Police Health purchase its own building at 329 King William Street, Adelaide and moves from SAPOL Headquarters.
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Following many requests from police unions outside of South Australia, Police Health embarks on a program to provide its services nationally. It changes its constitution to allow employees of other States, Territories and Federal Police departments to join the fund and in December launches new products available to police employees in Northern Territory.
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The South Australian Police Employees' Health Fund Incorporated is registered as an Australian Registered Body.
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New products are launched for Queensland Police employees who are invited to join the fund.
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Police Health cover is offered to police in Western Australia and we purchase and moves to its new building a few doors away at 339 King William Street Adelaide.
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Police in Tasmania are invited to join the fund.
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The fund changes from an incorporated association to a company with the formation of Police Health Limited.
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Police Health celebrates 75 years of service.
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More than 51,000 people are covered by over 19,500 policies and Police Health members arguably have the highest overall customer satisfaction of any health fund.
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New products are launched for Victoria, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory police employees.
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Police Health celebrates 80 years of service.
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Police Health moves to its new building located at 320 King William Street Adelaide
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Police Health now covers over 50,000 members of the policing community in over 20,000 policies.
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In June 2020, Police Health and Emergency Services Health amalgamated as two brands under Police Health Limited. Collectively covering over 62,000 members of the policing & emergency services community in over 26,000 policies.
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Police Health Limited now covers over 75,000 members Australia-wide.