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Australian Insurance Market Update 2026

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In positive news for insurance buyers, 2026 continued to deliver improving market conditions across most insurance lines.

Our 2026 Australian Insurance Market Update provides an in-depth overview of local market conditions, coverage developments and practical considerations to help insurance buyers navigate renewals and shape risk programs for the remainder of 2026 and beyond. It highlights the key trends, market movements and underwriting considerations shaping outcomes across the Australian insurance market in 2026 and is supported by a series of industry updates that take a more focused look at insurance and risk trends across key sectors.

Market conditions remained competitive in the first half of 2026, extending the favourable environment seen in 2025. Many insurance buyers benefited from a more competitive market, supported by expanded capacity, stronger insurer appetite and positive insurer and reinsurer results. Abundant capital and ongoing competition contributed to a more buyer-friendly environment, creating conditions not seen for more than a decade.

Conditions still varied by class and risk profile, and outcomes continued to differ between organisations depending on exposure, claims experience and program structure. People risk insurance classes such as private health, group life, workers' compensation and accident and health generally faced more challenging conditions and upward pressure in pricing.

This environment has created a real opportunity for insurance buyers to strengthen their insurance program. Many have used current conditions to improve coverage, refine program structure and revisit limits and deductibles. In some cases, insurance buyers have also secured long-term agreements where there was a clear strategic benefit, helping to support greater resilience and flexibility over the longer term.

While the overall market remained favourable, insurance buyers should not assume these conditions would last indefinitely. A severe Northern Hemisphere storm season or unexpected natural catastrophe could quickly shift sentiment. Insurance buyers who use favourable conditions to strengthen coverage and risk programs may be better positioned if the market tightens than those who focus solely on short-term savings.

Our report highlights the key areas to consider while conditions remain supportive.

This report covers a detailed premium analysis across 13 insurance classes, including:

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Property

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Liability

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Directors & officers’ liability

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Professional indemnity

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Cyber

Crime

Environmental liability

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Workers’ compensation

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Private health

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Corporate travel

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Group personal accident

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Group life

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International health (expatriate)

This report covers a detailed premium analysis across 13 insurance classes, including:

Icon of an apartment building

Property

Placeholder Image

Liability

Placeholder Image

Director and officer liability

Placeholder Image

Professional indemnity

Placeholder Image

Cyber

Crime

Environmental liability

Placeholder Image

Workers' compensation

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Private health

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Corporate travel

People green

Group personal accident

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Group life

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International health (expatriate)

In addition to this report, we offer targeted updates for specific sectors. These industry-specific updates provide detailed analysis of insurance and risk trends, challenges and opportunities faced by each sector, helping you stay ahead of market developments. You can explore our industry-specific updates for construction, healthcare, strata and small businesses in the coming weeks.

Download the 2026 Australian Insurance Market Update to access the latest market intelligence, insurance trends, and expert insights to inform your strategic decisions in 2026 and beyond.

FAQs

Our Australian Insurance Market Update is a comprehensive industry report that helps insurance buyers, brokers, and industry professionals stay informed about market dynamics and make strategic decisions.

Market conditions in Australia continued to soften in the first half of 2026, extending the favourable environment seen in 2025. In many classes, insurance buyers benefited from competitive pricing, expanded capacity and stronger insurer appetite, supported by positive insurer and reinsurer results, abundant capital and ongoing competition.

By understanding current market trends, reviewing coverage options, and engaging early with insurers, businesses can negotiate better renewal terms and premiums.

Market volatility can lead to fluctuating premiums, with some classes experiencing increases due to claims trends or regulatory shifts, while others may see stabilisation through increased competition.

In broad terms, the first half of 2026 extended the favourable environment seen in 2025, with market conditions continuing to soften across many classes. Competitive pricing expanded capacity and stronger insurer appetite supported improved outcomes for many insurance buyers, although conditions continued to vary by class.

In addition to the full report, we offer targeted updates for specific sectors. These industry-specific insights provide detailed analysis of insurance and risk trends, challenges and opportunities faced by the industry, helping you stay ahead of market developments. You can explore our industry-specific updates for construction, healthcare and strata.

Our people

Maurice Gatto

Maurice Gatto

Head of Global Placement, Marsh Risk Pacific

  • Australia

Industry-specific insights

In addition to our Australian Insurance Market Update 2026, you can also explore our industry-specific updates below. These updates complement the main report by providing an industry-specific view of the Australian market, including the latest insights and market trends.

Australian Mid-Year Insurance Market Update 2026

Australian Construction Insurance Market Update 2026

Previous reports

Australian Mid-Year Insurance Market Update 2025

Australian Mid-Year Insurance Market Update 2025
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Australian Mid-Year Insurance Market Update 2024
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Australian Mid-Year Insurance Market Update 2023
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Australian Mid-Year Insurance Market Update 2021

It is important to note that reported pricing changes are averages observed in the first half of 2026. The data used to estimate the changes cover a wide range of clients in terms of size, industry, location, claims history and other parameters. Many clients received pricing changes that deviated from the average, some higher and some lower.

This publication is not intended to be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. The information contained herein is based on sources we believe reliable, but we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy. Marsh shall have no obligation to update this publication and shall have no liability to you or any other party arising out of this publication or any matter contained herein. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. Any modelling, analytics, or projections are subject to inherent uncertainty, and any analysis could be materially affected if any underlying assumptions, conditions, information, or factors are inaccurate or incomplete or should change.

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