More than $14m in bonuses was awarded to senior Australian health insurance staff at Bupa little more than a year before the company admitted to unconscionably causing customers to cancel or delay medical procedures.

The bonuses, for more than 20 staff in 2023-24, came after the insurer had engaged in “misleading and deceptive conduct” between May 2018 and August 2023. This affected more than 7,500 customers, leaving many out of pocket for procedures they were entitled to claim.

Bupa admitted to the misconduct in June 2025 and reached an agreement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to pay a $35m fine. The $14.1m bonuses is the equivalent of 40% of the proposed fine.

The federal court has yet to decide whether the fine is appropriate.

Bupa concedes it mis

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