Redpoint Destinations

Australia

Australia Travel Insurance

Why Travel Insurance is Essential for Australia

Australia really offers the trip of a lifetime. It's the sixth-largest country in the world, and home to unique landscapes and animals that you won't find anywhere else. The continent's vast, arid outback region covers roughly 80% of Australia's landmass and is an unforgettable place to explore rich wildlife and discover unique cultural experiences. Plus, world-class cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, plus plenty of food, wine, and culture to boot.

Going on a trip as far away as Australia means you'll definitely want to take out travel insurance before you go. From travel delays and stolen baggage to medical emergencies abroad, there are plenty of unexpected events that can go wrong, especially if you plan to adventure through Australia's sparsely populated outback region. Read on to find out more about Australia.

Health & Safety in Australia

Medical Care and Hospitals

Australia offers high-quality medical care through a mix of public and private healthcare facilities. For Australian residents, healthcare is free under the Medicare system, but visitors and tourists must pay for medical costs out of pocket. In major cities, you will not struggle to find emergency medical assistance at world-class facilities such as Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and The Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne. However, if you are traveling or trekking in more remote areas, you may need to travel to other regions for advanced care. That’s why emergency evacuation insurance coverage is so important to have. In addition, you should always carry proof of your insurance coverage as well as any emergency contact numbers.

Health Risks and Vaccinations

While no vaccinations are required to visit Australia, the CDC recommends that, in addition to being up to date on all routine vaccinations, U.S. travelers are also vaccinated for Hepatitis B, rabies, measles and, if visiting certain areas, Japanese encephalitis. The CDC also recommends taking steps to avoid insect bites to avoid the transmission of Japanese encephalitis. It’s always wise to carry a basic medical kit with common over-the-counter medication, as well as spare prescription medication or copies of your prescriptions.

Insurance Benefits & Coverage for a Trip to Australia

What Does Travel Insurance for Australia Cover?

When considering travel insurance for Australia, you will want to make sure your travel insurance company policy covers all the areas below so that you’ll be prepared, no matter what happens during your trip.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance:

Unexpected trip cancellation insurance reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your trip to Australia is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, family emergencies, or certain government advisories. Australia has its fair share of natural disasters, including flooding and wildfires, so it’s wise for your trip to be covered in case of a catastrophic weather event.

Travel medical insurance:

Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses incurred for any injuries or illnesses that happen during your trip. Australia has high-quality healthcare, but it is not free for visitors. That’s why it’s so essential to have emergency medical coverage of at least $100,000. If you’re covered, you’ll be able to make a travel insurance claim for any out-of-pocket costs you incurred. In addition, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, you’ll also need to apply for a waiver when you purchase your policy. Health insurance plans from the U.S. are typically not accepted when you need medical treatment overseas.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance:

Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. Australia is a very large country, and if you’re traveling to remote areas, there is a good chance you may need to be airlifted if you have a serious medical emergency or accident. So it’s vital to have this coverage as part of your travel insurance.

Lost luggage and personal belongings insurance:

Baggage coverage is a benefit that covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings should they go missing during your trip to Australia.

Trip delay insurance:

Trip delay insurance compensates for additional expenses if your travel is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

Optional add-ons:

There are several additional policy benefits you can add to your travel insurance depending on the nature of your trip. These include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, if you think you may need to cancel for a reason not covered by the typical cancellation policy; extra protection for specialist or expensive gear; adventure sports travel insurance if you plan to do any extreme or dangerous activities; and car rental protection.

Choosing the Right Plan

Ripcord has a variety of plans suited for different trips to Australia. For adventure travelers who want to explore deep into the Australian outback or dive on the Great Barrier Reef, Ripcord is an extensive plan with high coverage limits and enhanced coverage, such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, perfect for trips to remote or rural destinations. Cavalry is suited for urban travelers who are seeking luxury and cultural experiences, while broadly sticking to major cities and established destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne, and New South Wales. Meanwhile, Harbor offers robust coverage to the budget-minded leisure traveler who may be backpacking through Australia and New Zealand. You can compare all of Redpoint’s comprehensive plans and figure out which one might be right for your trip here.

Entry Requirements & Practical Information

Entry and Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens do need a tourist visa to enter Australia. Fortunately, the process to get one is typically easy and fast. For short-term visits up to three months, Americans can apply for Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority via a dedicated app or through your airline or travel agent. The application is usually processed within a few minutes, but you must complete it prior to arrival. In addition, Americans must have a valid passport with one page blank for an entry stamp.

What To Do in an Emergency

If you have an emergency in Australia and require assistance, emergency services can be contacted by dialing 000. In addition, Redpoint offers 24/7 support on its helpline to travelers who have an emergency or need assistance. If you are having trouble locating help locally, Redpoint’s associates can help connect you to the help you need on the ground.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Canberra, with consular offices in Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne. These offices can assist with passport issues, emergencies, and legal issues. However, the location in Canberra does not assist with passport-related issues.

Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600

Telephone: +(61) (2) 6214-5600
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(61) (2) 411-424-608

Popular Activities and Adventure Travel in Australia

With a wild landscape and vast land mass, Australia is almost synonymous with adventure travel, whether you want a quick day trip or a deeper trek into the bush. You can explore the rugged Blue Mountains, trek through the ancient Daintree Rainforest, or cycle the scenic Great Ocean Road. Australia’s outback challenges adventurers with remote trails, inhospitable terrain, and endemic flora and fauna, while coastal paths provide breathtaking ocean views. Just don’t forget to make sure that your travel insurance policy will cover any extreme or adventure travel activities you plan to do.

FAQs for Australia Travel Insurance

Kangaroo at Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National Park

Is travel insurance mandatory for Australia?

Travel insurance is not mandatory to enter Australia, but it is always a risk to embark on overseas travel without adequate coverage. Should anything go wrong during the course of your trip, such as a medical emergency or a disrupted itinerary, your out-of-pocket costs can easily exceed the price of a travel insurance policy.

What does Australia travel insurance cover?

A comprehensive travel insurance policy should include medical care and emergency medical coverage (at least $100,000 to cover medical emergencies and unexpected costs), emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, and baggage loss protection. You should also look for a policy with 24/7 assistance services, which all of Redpoint's policies offer.

How much does travel insurance cost for Australia?

Your travel insurance policy will be priced based on a range of factors including trip length, cost, age, and activities. Most of Redpoint's insurance plans range from 6% to 15% of total trip costs.

What happens if a tourist gets sick in Australia?

Australia has free healthcare for its residents, called Medicare. However, accessing care is not free for visitors and non-residents. Most of Australia's private and public hospitals and clinics will charge for payment up front. That is why it's so important to have travel medical insurance to recoup the cost of any emergency medical expenses. If you need help finding a facility that will provide care that's covered by your travel insurance, contact your policy's 24/7 assistance line.

Does travel insurance cover trip cancellations due to government advisories?

Some travel insurance plans offer coverage for cancellations due to government-issued travel advisories, but this depends on the timing and nature of the advisory, as well as when you purchase your policy. If you're worried about political conditions or you suspect you may need to cancel your trip, it's wise to add-on cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage for added flexibility.

Can I get coverage for pre-existing conditions?

This will vary from policy to policy and depend on your travel insurance provider. Redpoint allows you to apply for a waiver for any pre-existing medical conditions if you purchase your insurance policy within 15 days after making your initial trip deposit.

Can I buy travel insurance after arriving in Australia?

Typically, you need to purchase travel insurance prior to departure for your trip, and ideally, as soon as possible after booking your trip. Some providers may issue policies once you're already in the country, but those policies may be costlier and have more exclusions.

Protect Your Trip With Redpoint Travel Insurance

Protecting yourself on your trip to Australia requires comprehensive travel insurance, and Redpoint Travel Protection has a global reputation for providing high-quality policies to fit every traveler. It also offers 24/7 support to give travelers peace of mind and help them enjoy their trips. Explore Redpoint’s policies here.