Australia offers an abundance of experiences and natural beauty, from tropical coral reefs, luscious rainforests and white sandy coastlines to Ayers Rock and its scorched red deserts.
If that's not enough, it's also home to vibrant metropoles and cultural hubs, including Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
Covid-19 - what our travel insurance covers
Our travel insurance now covers you for certain events related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), provided you have proof of a positive Covid-19 test and your cover is active at the time of the event.
What we cover
We provide cover for some costs related to Covid-19: please see Section 1 'emergency medical costs and repatriation' and Section 2 'cancelling or cutting short your trip' in your policy book for full details on what's covered.
We'll cover you if:
- you were diagnosed with Covid-19 before your trip was due to start
- a close relative died or became seriously ill as a result of Covid-19 before your trip was due to start
- you weren't allowed to board your pre-booked outbound travel due to symptoms of Covid-19
- an insured person or a close relative died during the trip because of Covid-19
- you couldn't take part in an excursion due to you self-isolating after getting Covid-19
What we don’t cover
You won't be covered if:
- you had reason to believe your trip may be cancelled, postponed or cut short when you booked it, purchased your policy or started your trip
- any government or public authority imposes travel restrictions or quarantine on a community, location, or vessel because of Covid-19 (this includes, but is not limited to, local lockdowns, entry requirements, being denied entry and airspace closures)
- you have to quarantine after arriving in the UK or abroad
- the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) change their advice to avoid ‘all travel’ or ‘all but essential travel’ to your destination because of Covid-19
For more information about how Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your travel cover, see our FAQ page. And remember to check the policy booklet carefully before you buy to make sure our cover meets your needs.
Travel Insurance Australia: what cover do I need?
Read the full list of benefits in the policy summary booklet.
The travel insurance you need largely depends on the type of trip you're taking, how long you're going for and your destination.
We offer two options when it comes to worldwide travel insurance:
- Worldwide
- Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico
Popular stop-over destinations for Australia include:
- Hong Kong
- Bangkok
- Singapore
- Dubai
If you're planning to visit one of these countries as well as Australia, our worldwide insurance will cover you here, too.
Most of us would count going to Australia as a special holiday so, if this is your only trip away this year, our single trip insurance is a good option. It provides cover for a continuous trip of up to 365 days – which also makes it ideal if you're planning a much longer stay, such as a backpacking holiday or a gap year.
On the other hand, if you're thinking of going on several trips within the year, our annual multi-trip travel insurance will allow you to come back to the UK in between, with the cover remaining in place each time you return to Oz (up to maximum of 31 days per trip).
With both types of insurance, we offer three levels of cover, allowing you to tailor your insurance to suit your specific needs.
Healthcare in Australia
If you become injured or unwell in Australia, you can take advantage of the reciprocal healthcare arrangement that exists between Australia and the UK.
This means if you're a British passport holder, you're entitled to limited subsidised health services for any medically necessary treatment during your stay.
The standard of hospitals and healthcare in Australia is excellent. Be warned, however, that the reciprocal partnership is no substitute for Australia travel insurance, particularly if you need to be flown home in an emergency or you're the victim of theft.
Visit your GP four to six weeks before you leave for Australia to see if you need any vaccinations.
You can also check up-to-date travel health information and recommendations specifically for Australia and other countries on the TravelHealthPro website.
Will my Australia travel insurance cover adventure sports?
Admiral Travel Insurance provides cover for a range of adventurous activities, including surfing and snorkelling as standard. However, when planning any adventure sports, double check you're fully covered by reading your policy booklet.
Australia's incredibly diverse terrain means there's a host of activities available to enjoy across the country. You can:
- Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
- Go canyoning in the Blue Mountains
- Experience white water rafting on the Tully River
- Go surfing, paragliding, climbing, sky-diving, trekking, hot air ballooning, bushwalking… the list is endless!
Skiing may not spring to mind when dreaming of Australian weather, but if you're in the know about the popular Thredbo resort between Sydney and Melbourne, don't forget to add skiing insurance.
Similarly, if you're planning to see the Australian shores from the comfort of a cruise ship, you'll need to add our cruise cover.
Working in Australia
Like many travellers, if you're going to be in the country for an extended stay, you might decide to get some temporary work to help fund your ongoing expenses.
When looking for work, it's worth bearing in mind that, while we provide cover if you get a job working in an office or waiting tables, any paid or unpaid manual work – such as volunteering on a farm in exchange for accommodation, for example – won't be covered.
Final tips for visitors
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as your trip is booked. This way, you’re covered if you need to cancel your plans for any reason. We also provide cover if you need to cut short your trip in an emergency.
You need a visitor visa to enter Australia and you need to apply for it in good time. Depending on the type of tourist visa you need, it can take more than 45 days to process, so applying early will lessen any stress!
Also, remember to cover your gadgets. Now a holiday essential, they capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments and help us to stay in touch with our loved ones back home.
You can add our gadget travel insurance upgrade to your policy to protect your tech should it get lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. This will help to make sure that your holiday is truly memorable for all the right reasons!
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is a short or long term illness or injury you have or have had before you buy travel insurance. This includes having symptoms, tests, diagnosis or medical treatment for a condition.
You can declare your pre-existing conditions during the quote process to see if we can offer cover. If you’re unsure what needs to be declared or if you're unable to find your condition on the medical conditions list, please contact us on 0333 234 9913.
Your pre-existing conditions won’t be covered unless you’ve:
- Declared them all on your policy
- Received written confirmation that we’ll cover your medical condition
- Paid any additional premium in full
Policy terms and conditions apply. Please note, if you’ve had a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 and been prescribed medication, received treatment, or had a consultation with a doctor or hospital specialist for any medical condition in the past 2 years, this needs to be declared on your policy.
If you don’t tell us about your pre-existing conditions or give us incorrect information, your policy may be invalid, and we may refuse all or part of any claim you submit.
For a quote with us, click the green button above.
The MoneyHelper directory
If you require cover for more serious medical conditions, MoneyHelper may be able to help you find specialist travel insurance through their medical directory.
If you wish to get in touch with them you can call them on 0800 138 7777 or find them online. (Monday to Friday 8:00-18:00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.)
Your questions answered
Is Australia in Europe?
No, it's not. You’ll need to have at least Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico cover if you're travelling to Australia.
Do I need travel insurance for Australia?
Having cover when you travel isn't a legal obligation, but consider if you could pay the medical bill if something happened. In Australia, getting you home with a broken leg can cost £12,000. See our Getting Ill Abroad map for more information on medical costs for common illnesses in holiday destinations.
Do I need travel insurance for working holiday in Australia?
It’s always best to have insurance when you go away, but you need to make sure you’re covered to work too. We cover you if you’re working in an office or waiting tables, but any paid or unpaid manual work isn’t covered.
Do you need any vaccinations to go to Australia?
If your routine vaccinations are up to date, you’ll need no extra jabs to visit Australia.
For more information on where, when and how to get vaccines, take a look at our guide to travel vaccinations.
Will my Australian travel insurance include cruise cover?
If you need cruise cover, you’ll need to add it to your policy as an upgrade. Find out more about our Cruise Travel Insurance upgrade.
Can I get travel insurance for Australia with a pre-existing condition?
If you have pre-existing conditions, you can still travel to Australia – you just need to declare them when you’re buying your travel insurance. Find out more about travelling with medical conditions.
Getting the most out of your trip
Going anywhere nice?
Off to one of the destinations below? Take a look at our guides for some hints and tips on what you need to remember.
Travel insurance that suits you
Whether you're travelling solo, with your family, or with a little one on the way, read our guides to make sure our cover is right for you.
Travel Insurance upgrades
Whether you want the adrenaline rush of a skiing holiday, or fancy taking to the seas on a cruise, you'll need to add extra cover to your policy.