Short-term & single trip travel insurance Australia

Planning a trip to Australia for less than 90 days? Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, or a short-term stay, securing the right travel insurance is crucial. This guide provides up-to-date information on short-term travel insurance options in Australia for 2025, helping you choose the best coverage for your needs.

Why You Need Short-Term Travel Insurance in Australia

Trips in the European Union

If you are from the EEA, UK or Switzerland and are travelling within the European Union, you can get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online for free. This card covers medical care in other European countries. For UK citizens, you should get a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This card replaces the EHIC and lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

Trips out of the EU

Outside the European Union, you won’t be covered with the EHIC, which is why it is important to take out short-term travel insurance before your departure. Although some credit cards offer insurance for trips of less than 90 days, they usually have limitations.

Check whether you are entitled to a Medicare card. Some countries such as United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta have signed bilateral agreements with Australia. This entitles citizens from those countries to some coverage under Medicare (Australian healthcare system). That coverage only covers essential care.

When planning a trip to Australia, short-term travel insurance is crucial for covering unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost belongings.

Choosing the Right Short-Stay Travel Insurance Policy

When you’re planning a short trip to Australia, the right travel insurance can save you from unexpected expenses and hassles. Here’s what to look for:

Trip Duration & Territory

• Full Coverage Period: Make sure your policy starts on your departure date and ends after your return.
• Geographical Scope: Confirm it explicitly includes Australia—and any side trips (e.g., New Zealand, Pacific Islands).

Benefit Limits & Excess

• Medical Cover Sum Insured: Aim for at least AUD 200,000 to AUD 500,000 for emergency treatment and hospitalization.
• Policy Excess: A co-payment (excess) of AUD 100–250 is common; lower excess often means higher premium.

Core Coverage Areas

1. Emergency Medical & Evacuation
   • 24/7 assistance hotline
   • Hospital admissions and specialist consultations
   • Medical evacuation—or repatriation if local facilities aren’t adequate
2. Trip Cancellation & Interruption
   • Reimbursement for non-refundable costs if you cancel due to illness, severe weather, or close-family emergencies
   • Coverage for flight delays or missed connections beyond a set number of hours (e.g., 6+ hours)
3. Baggage, Passport & Personal Effects
   • Compensation for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage (often up to AUD 2,000–3,000)
   • Emergency passport or travel documents replacement
   • Coverage for theft of cameras, laptops, and valuables (check single-item limits)

Exclusions & Special Activities

• Common Exclusions: Pre-existing medical conditions (unless declared and accepted), high-risk winter sports, scuba diving beyond recreational limits.
• Optional Add-Ons: Adventure sports riders, gadget cover, additional personal liability—ideal if you plan skydiving, surfing lessons, or guided hikes.

👍 Practical Tips

• Read the PDS: The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) details exactly what’s included and excluded.
• Age & Pre-Existing Conditions: Declare any health issues—some insurers offer tailored “extended medical cover Australia” options.
• 24/7 Assistance: Look for policies mentioning “round-the-clock support” to help no matter the time zone.

Specialised short-term travel Insurance

In addition to essential insurance policies (Medical and hospitalisation expenses & Civil liability), short-term insurance policies often cover other incidents. These include:

• Luggage insurance in case of loss, damage or theft
• Returning home early if necessary
• Trip cancellation
• Flight delay
• Legal assistance.

You can pay for your insurance by the week or by the month. It works out cheaper if you pay by the month. Depending on the insurance, you can even sign up with the whole family or groups of friends, which will also save you money.

Single Trip Insurance Providers

Go Walkabout

Go Walkabout Insurance policies are available to UK residents up to the age of 99. The Annual Multi Trip insurance policy covers multiple trips up to 31 or 45 days each. You can also buy add-ons for cruises, gadgets and winter sports.

Thanks to our collaboration with Go Walkabout, we are able to offer you a 10% promo code on any policy. Just click on the button below and use the 💰 PROMO CODE: ABG10

Safety Wing

Nomad Insurance is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy it even if you are already abroad. After 90 days abroad, you’re covered for brief visits back home for up to 30 days (15 days for US residents).

Chapka

Chapka collaborates with Europ Assistance, one of the leading insurance companies. They cover travellers of all ages for overseas trips of less than 90 days. You’ll get a 15% discount if you take out insurance for several people from the same family or group, from three to nine people.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from those companies using the links. We do not represent the insurance companies. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

There are numerous comparison websites with search engines that provide an overwhelming number of travel insurance options. It’s difficult to make a general comparison, as individual interests and plans differ. We have been working successfully with the partners listed above, but if their policies don’t meet your needs, you will surely find a travel insurance provider that offers what you want from doing your own research.

FAQs

Updated on 15.05.2025