Same boat, 31 in July. Had private health, but they halved my rebates from 800 to 400 and price got so high, so quickly so I ditched it when I changed jobs, but 40 a week seems fairly hefty when I can only get 300 back a year on extras..
Just take out hospital, extras cover is a rip off.
As for public versus private, I've been with the later for my 40+ years working life. It has served me ok overall as the ops I've had weren't considered urgent for public system but impacted my ability to work and play.
eg. Injured my knee (hyperextension) in my 20's. Public system said I wasn't urgent (I could walk with crutches and therefore on restricted work) and on waiting list. Had insurance so had op straight away. Was still off work 3 months recovering but back to skiiing following season, cycling, hiking, etc after building up strength.
5 years ago I WOTB and ended up with G3 ligament damage in shoulder. Public system sorted me initially but Ortho said give it 2-3 months and review. Given damage and my age, physio said get second opinion, which I did (on my private health insurance) and based on his assessment I decided to get op done (private hospital. Turns out the window for most successful op is 6 weeks from accident so public system would have resulted in a more complex and extensive op with reduced recovery prospects.
Many of my work colleagues self insure. Its a lottery though. They are an active bunch and many have footed $14K+ bills for shoulders, knees, etc surgery from accidents and which restricted their work and or recreation activities after becoming impatient with waiting on public system.