Important
Workinitiatives does not provide travel insurance, financial advice, insurance advice, or recommendations for specific insurance providers.
You should compare policies carefully and speak directly with an insurer or licensed insurance professional if you are unsure what cover is suitable for your circumstances.
Travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected costs before or during your trip, including medical emergencies, delayed flights, lost luggage, or other travel disruptions.
Why travel insurance is important
Travel insurance can be easy to overlook when planning your move, but it may help cover unexpected expenses if something goes wrong during your trip.
Depending on the policy you choose, travel insurance may help with:
missed or delayed flights
cancelled travel plans
lost, stolen, or delayed luggage
medical emergencies
hospital treatment
emergency assistance
personal liability
certain travel interruptions
The exact cover will depend on the insurer and the policy you choose.
Choosing the right policy
Before buying travel insurance, compare different policies and check what is included.
You may want to consider:
Area | What to check |
Medical cover | Whether emergency medical treatment is included |
Luggage cover | Whether lost, stolen, or delayed baggage is covered |
Flight disruption | Whether missed, delayed, or cancelled flights are covered |
Activities | Whether activities such as sports, driving, hiking, or adventure travel are included |
Visa length | Whether the policy covers your full stay |
Excess | How much you may need to pay if you make a claim |
Exclusions | What the policy does not cover |
Some insurers offer travel insurance designed for backpackers or working holiday makers, which may provide more cost-effective basic cover for longer stays.
Travel insurance and health insurance
Travel insurance is different from health insurance.
Travel insurance is usually designed to cover unexpected travel-related issues and emergency medical situations during your trip.
If you are staying in Australia for a longer period, you may also want to consider whether you need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or another health insurance policy, depending on your visa type and personal circumstances.
Before you buy
Before purchasing a policy:
read the Product Disclosure Statement carefully
check the policy dates match your travel dates
confirm the policy covers Australia
check whether work-related activities are covered
confirm whether pre-existing medical conditions are included or excluded
keep a copy of your policy documents and emergency contact number