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Australia is a unique and diverse country in every way – in culture, population, climate, geography, and history.
- Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
- National language: English
- Time difference: Mainland Australia is typically 8 to 10 hours ahead of UK time.
- Flight time: 18 hours direct from London Heathrow to Perth (Western Australia) or 21–24 hours with a stopover.
Holiday insurance for Australia
When you’re buying travel insurance for Australia it’s important to make sure it covers medical expenses, repatriation to the UK, cancellation of your holiday, and lost baggage. These are some of the most common reasons people claim on their policy, but it’s important to make sure your cover is tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
Australia is a unique country in every way – from its culture and history through to its geography and climate. A fantastic destination, it’s important to arrange travel insurance before you leave to make sure you’re protected no matter what happens.
Without travel insurance in Australia, you'll be liable to pay for medical bills and any other costs resulting from accidents, or rearranging any cancelled flights and accommodation.
Do you cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, but only if we approve it on your policy. Tell us the details of any pre-existing medical condition for anyone you’re looking to cover. Your policy schedule will then confirm what conditions you’ve informed us about and whether cover is available.
There are certain conditions we can’t cover, which we’ll show you online or tell you about on the phone before you take out a policy. If you’re waiting for test results or have any conditions under investigation, we won’t be able to provide a quote unless they’re known to be directly related to a currently diagnosed condition.
Entering Australia
Along with arranging travel insurance, when visiting Australia you also need to apply for a visa before you can enter the country. If you’re staying less than three months in any 12-month period you can apply for an eVisitor visa, which is free. There are various other options if you plan to visit for longer or want to work during your stay.
Medical insurance for Australia
Despite being one of the safest countries in the world, you still need travel insurance for trips from the UK to Australia. At home, you’ll probably be used to accessing healthcare services for free, but this isn’t always the case when you’re travelling abroad.
The UK and Australia have a reciprocal healthcare arrangement in place to give Brits a basic level of healthcare while they’re visiting. However, this isn’t an adequate replacement for health insurance as it comes with a number of limitations.
Anything that isn’t considered “urgent care” isn’t included, nor are doctors’ visits or ambulance journeys. You may also need to provide evidence that you’re a resident of the UK.
If you’re in Australia and have a medical emergency, dial 000. You should also contact your insurer as soon as possible.
Safety tips for visting Australia
The high temperatures can be a problem for unprepared visitors. Keep water with you and make sure you stay hydrated at all times. To stay safe in the sun, be sure to wear a high-factor sun cream even on cloudy days and reapply throughout the day, especially after a swim.
Snakes, spiders, sharks and jellyfish are common across the country. When you’re at the beach and other outdoor spaces, make sure you read any signs displayed as these will help you stay safe. It’s good to do a bit of research to see what you need to be careful of in the areas you’re visiting and what the various signs mean if you come across one.
As with any trip, the unexpected can happen – such as losing your luggage, falling ill, having items stolen or your flights being cancelled. Travel insurance gives you the peace of mind from knowing you’re covered for just about any eventuality.
Why is travel insurance important?
Travel insurance is important for several reasons:
Medical emergencies: It covers unexpected medical expenses while traveling, which can be very costly, especially in countries with high healthcare costs.
Trip cancellations and interruptions: It provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances like illness, family emergencies, or natural disasters.
Lost or delayed luggage: It compensates for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage, helping you replace essential items and continue your trip with minimal disruption.
Travel delays: It covers additional expenses caused by travel delays, such as accommodation and meals, so you're not out of pocket for something beyond your control.
Emergency evacuations: It covers the cost of emergency evacuations due to medical reasons or natural disasters, which can be extremely expensive.
Personal liability: It provides coverage in case you accidentally cause injury to someone or damage their property while traveling.
Peace of mind: It offers peace of mind knowing that you're financially protected against a range of potential issues, allowing you to enjoy your trip without constant worry.
Getting around Australia
Before they go, many people don't realise the sheer size of Australia – it’s almost as large as continental USA. For example, travelling from Sydney to Perth (east coast to west coast) will take six to seven hours by plane. When planning a visit to Australia, be realistic about how much time you have and which cities and regions you'd like to visit.
• Queensland
Its year-round tropical climate, amazing coastal beaches and lush rainforests mean Queensland has it all. If you're looking to explore the tropics, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef should be top of your list.
• New South Wales
As well as the iconic sights of Sydney, New South Wales has a gorgeous coast, rugged mountains and traditional outback towns. Don't miss the Harbour Bridge Climb in Sydney, Bondi Beach, a visit to suburb Manly and the famous nightlife.
• Victoria
Victoria is Australia's cultural capital, with hip, artsy Melbourne its most popular attraction. Famous for its coffee and award-winning baristas, Melbourne is packed with cafes and restaurants and is often dubbed the shopping capital of Australia. The Mornington Peninsula also boasts some of Australia’s finest wine regions.
• South Australia
South Australia is home to the cosmopolitan city of Adelaide and has some of the best-known wine regions in the world. The Barossa valley, northeast of Adelaide, is renowned for its Shiraz, while to the southwest lies Kangaroo Island, a must for nature buffs.
• Western Australia
Western Australia has its own set of charms, including spectacular beaches and outback destinations. Perth is a vibrant city with a buzzing music and arts scene, while Broome, in the Kimberley Region, is a bucket list spot you shouldn't miss.
• Northern Territory
Quintessentially Australian and overflowing with breathtaking landscapes, the Northern Territory often tops many travel wish lists. Don't miss its iconic sights, including Katherine Gorge, Kakadu National Park, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and of course, Uluru (Ayers Rock).
• Tasmania
With some of Australia’s best wilderness areas, the isolated island of Tasmania is a laid-back mix of cool and quiet, with trendy markets and galleries in Hobart, and stunning nature reserves to explore. It’s also home to the iconic Tasmanian Devil.
Wherever you’re planning to visit in Australia, make sure you’re fully protected with travel insurance. Travelling to Australia is an exciting experience but before you go it’s worth checking the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.
What does our Australian travel insurance cover?
Our travel insurance for Australia offers:
• Up to £10 million of emergency medical cover.
• Compensation of up to £10,000 if you have to cancel your trip.
• Cover for groups of up to 10 people on one policy.
• Cover for travellers over the age of 65.
If you’re a frequent traveller, you may want to think about multi-trip cover. Do you have pre-existing medical conditions or any specific things you want to insure? If so, you’ll probably need a customised policy. See the section below for more details.
Optional extras can be added to protect you against theft of bags and their contents, valuables and money. If you’ve got an action-packed trip planned, check the activities covered in our policies to make sure yours are included.
Just be mindful, if you’re looking to get a job during your trip to Australia, that work-related incidents aren't covered.
Get a travel insurance quote online for your trip to Australia and customise it to suit you.
If, after travelling to your destination, the FCDO advice is to leave the area you're staying in, then you're covered to cut your trip short.
If this situation arises, please contact our 24-hour assistance helpline on +44 1243 621 537 (01243 621 537 from the UK). For Text Phone first dial 18001. Calls may be recorded.
If the FCDO advice is simply against travelling to the destination you're already in, there's no cover to cut your trip short; however, you can call the 24-hour helpline if you need any help or advice.
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