GMHBA has always put people first; our members are at the centre of everything we do and we pride ourselves on our team’s personalised approach and exceptional service and support.
Through this approach we have become one of Australia’s leading regionally based private health insurers, and in 2024 GMHBA Limited will celebrate its 90th anniversary of caring for the community.
Our origin story is one of modest beginnings. A group of workers from the Australian Cement Company based in Geelong came together to develop the Cement Workers Hospital Benefits Scheme – a health insurance scheme designed to protect the workers and their families.
The demand for public access to this health benefits scheme grew and on 13 August 1934 a new ‘open’ scheme was formed at a public meeting called by the Mayor of Geelong. The new fund was able to provide cover for people who were not employed in the industrial sector.
During the next decade the ‘open’ health insurance fund grew rapidly, and the industrial based schemes gradually transferred their operations and membership to the open fund.
Demand for membership also grew outside of Geelong. One town at a time, GMHBA established new branches, employed local people and became an active member of the community.
In 1958, the fund adopted the name of ‘Geelong Medical and Hospital Benefits Association’, commonly known as GMHBA. The company formally changed its name to GMHBA Limited in October 2000.
Today GMHBA Limited is proud to support more than 320,000 members across Australia on their health journeys.
We maintain a proud presence in Geelong, with our head office located on Moorabool Street and our sponsorship of GMHBA Stadium, home of the Geelong Cats!
But we also have a Health and Branch Network that spans western Victoria, with locations in Ballarat, Bendigo, Leopold, Portland, Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool. We also provide care to members and patients at our Belmont Hub, Lara Medical Centre and South Barwon Medical Centre.
GMHBA remains a not-for-profit, 100% member-based organisation and is an active contributor in building the health and wellbeing of communities.
To celebrate our 90th anniversary, GMHBA is planning a full calendar of events and activities and we look forward to engaging with our members and patients, current and former staff, and the broader community. We will share more information about how to get involved over the coming months.
For the latest updates, follow GMHBA on Facebook and Instagram.
Media enquiries
GMHBA Head of Corporate Communications Meg Rayner: 0458 418 823 or megrayner@gmhba.com.au
