Compare travel insurance for Australia
Hundreds of thousands of Brits visit Australia every year. If you’re thinking of joining them, you’ll need to consider travel insurance for your trip down under.
Hundreds of thousands of Brits visit Australia every year. If you’re thinking of joining them, you’ll need to consider travel insurance for your trip down under.
Do I need travel insurance for Australia?
We strongly recommend it in case you have an emergency while you’re over 9,000 miles from home.
If your flight gets cancelled or delayed or your luggage and valuables are stolen, travel insurance can help make sure you’re not out of pocket. It can also cover your medical costs if you feel ill or have an accident.
How much is travel insurance for Australia?
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on your age, how long you’re going for and whether or not you have any health conditions.
A long-stay trip, for example, will be more expensive than a short one as you’re abroad for longer. Who you want to insure can also impact the amount you pay – travel insurance for your family is likely to cost more than insurance for just one person.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, don’t lie to an insurance provider, because this could mean your claim is rejected. When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers who will cover them, with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.
How does Australian Medicare affect my travel insurance?
If you’re a British national, you’ll be entitled to subsidised medical treatment under the Australian Medicare scheme, which is similar to the NHS.
But Medicare doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, and may not cover everything you need so it’s not a substitute for travel insurance.
What will Australia travel insurance cover?
A holiday in Australia is the trip of a lifetime. To help you enjoy it to the full, make sure your Australia travel insurance covers you for:
- Medical expenses – if you fall ill or have an accident, the last thing you want is to be faced with hefty medical bills. Your policy should cover the cost of any medical treatment as well as repatriation back to the UK for treatment.
- Flight cancellation – your travel insurance may provide cover if you have to cancel your flight. Check the policy to make sure cover for missed connections is also included.
- Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and passports – your travel insurance should cover you for replacing clothes, medicine, gadgets and toiletries if your luggage is damaged, lost or stolen.
- Holiday cancellation – if your holiday is cancelled, delayed or shortened unexpectedly, you can claim for some expenses.
- Coronavirus – when you get a travel insurance quote with us, it’s easy to compare levels of COVID-19 cover. Just use the ‘more details’ option on the quote results page.
What won’t Australia travel insurance cover?
Your insurance can cover you for many unexpected events, but to avoid nasty surprises, check any exclusions ahead of your trip to Australia. Here are some of the things to look out for:
- Pre-existing medical conditions – your travel insurance won’t cover any pre-existing conditions you haven’t declared. When you get a quote with us, make sure you tell us about any pre-existing conditions and we’ll only show you policies that will cover you.
- Injuries or accidents from high-risk activities that aren’t covered by your policy – Australia is a popular spot for high-adrenaline activities such as bungee-jumping, skydiving and white-water rafting to name but a few. If you’re going to be taking part in adventure sports, make sure all the activities you want to do are covered by your policy.
- Incidents related to alcohol abuse – Australia does have a bit of a reputation for having a drinking culture, so it’s important to drink responsibly. If you’re injured or lose something while under the influence, your claim will likely be rejected.
- Travel to regions which Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have advised to avoid – this may be because of epidemics or terrorism threats.
- Natural disasters – Australia is vulnerable to bushfires, flash flooding and cyclones. Be sure to check local advice and safety procedures.
What else should I consider when I choose my travel insurance?
Think about what sort of trip you’re planning and what types of activities you intend to do before you start comparing travel insurance for Australia. You might want to look at:
- Backpacker insurance – if you’re going on a long trip, this could be right for you.
- Extreme sports cover – this can cover you for bungee jumping, paragliding and skydiving.
- Sports travel insurance – this can cover you for lower-risk sports activities.
- Water sports insurance – for diving, sailing, canoeing and more.
- Golf insurance – this can cover a round or two in the sun.
- Winter sports insurance – if you’ll be skiing or snowboarding in Australia. (Yes, there’s snow there.)
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Yes, British citizens will need a visa. You can apply online in two ways:
- eVisitor visa – is free and you can apply direct to Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) – this is obtained from your travel agent or airline and there’s usually a service fee of approximately $20 but no visa application charge.
You can find more details about entry requirements for Australia, including rules on COVID-19 vaccines and testing, on the GOV.UK website.
Any other tips for a trip to Australia?
Here are a few facts about Australia to help you on your way:
- Language: English – although some words won’t mean what you think they mean: ‘bathers’ are swimming costumes, ‘thongs’ are flip flops and ‘strides’ are trousers.
- Time zones: There are three: Eastern, Central and Western.
- It’s big: It will take you nine hours to drive from Sydney to Melbourne, and there are 10,000 beaches and 50,000km of coastline to enjoy.
- Tipping: It’s up to you. In top restaurants, it’s common to tip 10%. Hotels and restaurants don’t tend to add service charges to your bill.
Where can I compare travel insurance quotes?
Whether you’re looking to go to Australia alone or are buying travel cover for you and your family, our comparison service will make it easy for you to find great deals. Compare travel insurance costs today and get a quote in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend my travel insurance?
Yes, many providers will let you extend your cover if you decide to make your holiday last a little longer. If you’re not sure how long you’ll continue to stay in Australia, a long stay policy may be best.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
March-May is autumn time in Australia and September-November is spring. These are the best times to visit Australia as the weather isn’t too hot or too cold.
