Our story

Who we are

Established in 1840, we were Australia's first member-owned wellbeing company, offering our members and customers health, wealth and care services.

We trace our origins back to a pub in Melbourne, where a group of eight people formed a friendly society to look after the health and wellbeing of its members. From our early days, we’ve been here to help people thrive and have been strong advocates in the community for positive change and the wellbeing of Australians. After more than 180 years, we remain true to our roots.

We’re for real wellbeing. For us, real wellbeing means so much more than physical health. It’s about your standard of living, your personal relationships and being connected to your community. It’s about what you want to achieve in life, while having the security to get out and do what makes you happy.

We’ve been measuring the real wellbeing of Australians with Deakin University since 2000, through the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index. The Index is a tool that tracks how satisfied people across Australia are with their lives as a whole, using seven key areas of wellbeing. It has grown to become one of the most credible and enduring studies of wellbeing in Australia.


Australia’s first member-owned wellbeing company

Being a member-owned company - also called a mutual - gives us greater flexibility to invest money into the services and solutions that matter most to our members, customers and the Australian community.

Find out more what it means to be a member of Australian Unity.