Private Healthcare Australia had its origins on 21 April 1971 when health funds met in Canberra to form the Voluntary Health Insurance Association of Australia Ltd. VHIAA was incorporated on 2 December 1986, taking over the role, functions and assets of the previously unincorporated body which itself represented an industry Association combining the interests of “open” Health Funds and Friendly Societies in health insurance.
In November 1991 VHIAA changed its name to the Australian Health Insurance Association Limited (AHIA) and amended its articles to allow all non-government health funds to take out membership. In October 2011, AHIA changed its name to Private Healthcare Australia.