Whether you are going to travel all over the world, embark on a Working Holiday adventure or take a short trip to Australia, you will have to consider travel insurance. Just do a quick google search and you will notice there are thousands of companies offering all kinds of cover. So many options can make choosing one that fits your needs a real hassle. We compiled a list to help you out (this is not an exhaustive list)!
Table of Contents
SafetyWing – Nomad-Focused, Flexible Coverage
- Who It’s For: Digital nomads, long-term travellers, remote workers; buy anytime—even after departure.
- Plans:
- Essential: Basic medical & travel cover, emergency evacuation, baggage and trip interruption.
- Complete: Adds higher medical limits, dental, political evacuation, terrorism, AD&D, and higher baggage limits.
- Key Cover:
- Emergency Medical: Up to USD 250 000 (Essential) / unlimited in some regions (Complete)
- Evacuation & Repatriation: Up to USD 100 000–250 000
- Lost Checked Luggage: USD 3 000 per period; USD 500 per item
- Adventure Add-Ons: Purchase riders for scuba diving beyond 18 m, skydiving, snow sports.
- Why Choose It: Month-to-month subscription, pause/resume mid-trip, global support network of nomads.
Go Walkabout – UK Working Holiday Specialists
Who It’s For: UK residents on Working Holiday, Gap Year or backpacking trips up to 2 years.
Policy Types:
- Walkabout / Walkabout Plus: Standard long-stay/backpacker cover (up to 18 m–2 y).
- Working Holiday: Allows paid or voluntary work (bar, café, retail, farm, manual labour with correct “Work Pack”)
Key Cover:
- Emergency Medical: Up to GBP 10 M (including repatriation)
- Trip Cancellation: Up to GBP 2 500
- Baggage & Documents: GBP 1 000; GBP 300/item; passport/driving licence replacement
- Loss of Money: Up to GBP 500
- Pre-existing conditions: over 50 covered as standard at no extra cost – declare any others online, see the cost instantly and pay in a single step
Add-Ons: Winter sports, cruises, gadget cover, manual-labour extension (Levels 2–4).
Why Choose It: Expert, personalised service (same-day quotes), flexible work packs, clear UK-based support.
Get a quote →World Nomads – Flexible, Adventure-Friendly
- Highlights: Extend policies on the road, covers a wide range of adventure sports up to a set limit.
- Medical Cover: AUD 200,000+ for emergency treatment and evacuation.
- Trip Cancellation & Curtailment: Reimburses non-refundable costs if you fall ill or face severe weather.
- Adventure Activities: Includes surfing, bushwalking, and snorkelling; purchase an “Explorer” add-on for scuba diving, skydiving, etc.
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for flexible itineraries and spontaneous extensions.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
True Traveller – UK & EU Adventure Specialist
Who It’s For: Backpackers, gap-year students, long-stay holiday-makers based in the UK/EU.
Plans (Single & Annual Multi-Trip):
- True Value (budget backpacker; under 40)
- Traveller (most popular; broader age range)
- Traveller Plus (enhanced medical & cancellation limits)
Key Cover:
- Medical & Evacuation: Up to GBP 2.5 M–10 M depending on plan; excess GBP 35–125
- Cancellation/Curtailment: GBP 1 000–7 500
- Personal Liability: GBP 1 M–2 M
- Baggage & Valuables: GBP 1 000–2 500, with single-item and valuables sub-limits
Adventure & Extension: Covers 90+ activities as standard; extend online mid-trip if you decide to stay longer
Why Choose It: Highly flexible, 24/7 claims support, great reviews (5/5 on Reviews.io).
Get a quote →Chapka Assurances – French WHV Leader
- Who It’s For: European (EEA/French-territory) PVT/Working Holiday visa-holders aged 18–31/35 (up to 24 months).
- Cap Working Holiday Plan:
- Unlimited Medical: No cap on emergency medical & hospitalisation
- Repatriation & Evacuation: Up to EUR 4 000 000 cover for costs & liabilities
- Accidental Death/Disability: EUR 10 000–50 000 depending on severity
- Baggage & Personal Effects: EUR 1 000–2 500; single-item and values limits
- Personal Liability: EUR 4 000 000 in case you injure someone or damage property
- Trip Cancellation: Up to EUR 2 000 for non-refundable costs
- COVID-19 Cover: Medical and quarantine expenses included.
- Why Choose It: Tailored to European travellers, partnership discounts (e.g. 5% via our link).
How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance for Australia
The “best” insurer depends on your nationality, your plans and your budget. Before you buy, check these points:
- Emergency medical cover & repatriation. Medical care in Australia is expensive and Medicare won’t cover you (unless you’re from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country — and even then, only partially). Make sure the medical limit is high and that repatriation back home is included.
- Ambulance cover. Ambulances are not covered by Medicare and can cost from around $400 to $1,200+ (far more for an air ambulance in the outback). Check ambulance transport is included.
- Does it cover working? Standard travel insurance usually does not cover paid work. If you’re on a Working Holiday visa, you need a policy that covers your type of job (for example Go Walkabout’s Working Holiday policy and “Work Packs”).
- Adventure activities. Diving, surfing, skydiving, snowboarding and similar are often excluded as standard — add the relevant activity pack if you’ll be doing them.
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Declare any condition you’ve had treatment for, even if well managed. Many insurers cover a long list as standard (Go Walkabout, for example, covers 50+); undeclared conditions can invalidate a claim.
- Excess and benefit limits. A cheaper premium sometimes means a higher excess or lower limits — read the product disclosure before you buy.
- When you can buy it. Some insurers (SafetyWing, World Nomads) let you buy after you’ve already left home; others (Go Walkabout) require you to buy before you travel. Buying early also covers you for cancellation.
| Insurer | Best for | Who can use it | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing | Digital nomads & flexible long-term travel | Travellers worldwide | — |
| Go Walkabout | UK working holidays (covers work & pre-existing conditions) | UK residents | 10% — code ABG10 |
| World Nomads | Adventure trips & flexibility | Most countries | — |
| True Traveller | UK/EU adventure & sports trips | UK & EEA residents | — |
| Chapka | French & EU working holidays | France / EU residents | 5% via link |
Travel Insurance for Australia: FAQs
Do I really need travel insurance to visit Australia?
Yes. Medicare doesn’t cover most travellers, medical bills can run into the thousands, and ambulances aren’t covered at all. Even visitors from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country (UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta) only get limited access – insurance fills the gaps.
Does travel insurance cover working on a Working Holiday visa?
Not usually, standard travel insurance excludes paid work. You’ll need a policy designed for working holidays that covers your job type (bar and café work, farm work, manual labour, etc.). Go Walkabout’s Working Holiday policy with the right “Work Pack” is built for this.
Can I get cover with a pre-existing medical condition?
Usually yes, as long as you declare it. Many insurers cover a long list of conditions as standard; others add a small premium. With Go Walkabout you can declare a condition online, see the cost instantly and pay in a single step.
Can I buy travel insurance after I’ve already arrived in Australia?
With some insurers, yes. SafetyWing and World Nomads let you take out or extend cover while you’re already travelling (a waiting period may apply). Others, like Go Walkabout, require you to buy before you leave home.
How much does travel insurance for Australia cost?
It depends on your age, trip length and level of cover. A short trip can cost as little as a few tens of pounds/euros, while a comprehensive 12-month Working Holiday policy is often in the region of £300–£400 (with a discount). Compare quotes for your exact dates.
Updated on 30/07/2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial or insurance advice. Cover, benefit limits, exclusions, eligibility and prices vary between insurers and can change at any time – always read the full policy wording and check that you’re eligible (including residency and pre-existing medical conditions) before buying.
