Travel insurance for Australia from £20.22^
Key takeaways
Taking out travel insurance for your trip to Australia gives you the peace of mind of knowing you have a financial safety net in place in the event that something goes wrong
Make sure your policy provides enough cover for things like medical treatment, lost or delayed baggage, cancellation delays and missed connections
Take out cover as soon as you book your trip so you know you’ll be covered in case an emergency means you need to cancel your trip
Do I need travel insurance for Australia?
According to 2025 data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 500,000+
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2024The most common reason for claiming was to cover unexpected medical expenses, with an average insurance payout of £1,528
^ By contrast, you can find travel insurance to Australia from just £20.22
^
It might not be mandatory, but you should always make sure you take out a robust and comprehensive travel insurance policy before you go on holiday to Australia.
You’ll be protected against a range of common travel problems, from illness and accidents to lost baggage and theft, as well as missed connections.
You’ll also be able to reclaim your costs if you have to cancel or cut short your trip in an emergency. Ultimately, it means you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
Popular sporting events, such as the Australian Open or Australian Grand Prix, can make flights, hotels and transport much busier, increasing the risk of delays, cancellations or changes to your plans.
Travel insurance may help if your trip is disrupted, as long as the issue is covered and wasn’t known when you booked. It can also help cover stolen goods, if anything happens to your personal belongings while attending these types of events.
Australia travel advice
Still current at: 7 Sept 2026
When planning your trip to Australia, be aware that global travel may be disrupted due to events in the Middle East, so check for flight updates and your insurance coverage. You'll need an electronic visitor visa, such as an eVisitor visa or ETA, and your passport should be valid for your entire stay. Australia experiences bushfires, particularly from October to February, and has strict quarantine rules, so declare any relevant items upon arrival.
When planning your trip to Australia, be aware that global travel may be disrupted due to events in the Middle East, so check for flight updates and your insurance coverage. You'll need an electronic visitor visa, such as an eVisitor visa or ETA, and your passport should be valid for your entire stay. Australia experiences bushfires, particularly from October to February, and has strict quarantine rules, so declare any relevant items upon arrival.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
💡 Top tip: If you will be abroad for more than a month, you will usually need to take out long-stay travel insurance.
When should I take out travel insurance for Australia?
You should ideally take out your travel insurance policy as soon as your trip to Australia has been confirmed and booked. Make sure your cover starts from the day you book, so if you need to cancel in an emergency, you can recoup the costs of your cancellations.
How much does travel insurance for Australia cost?
The average cost of travel insurance for a single trip to Australia is £33.66
Traveller(s) | 7 day trip | 14 day trip |
|---|---|---|
Individual | £13.55 | £26.01 |
Couple | £18.62 | £47.13 |
Family | N/A | £20.87 |
Group | N/A | £34.96 |
What type of travel insurance do I need for Australia?
Australia should be covered by any worldwide travel insurance policy, but there are a few different types of insurance that might suit your holiday.
When you find the best travel insurance deals through MoneySuperMarket, you’ll be able to tailor your insurance to your needs. Some categories to look out for:
Single-trip insurance
If you only want to cover your trip to Australia, you may want to consider a single-trip policy as the basic option.
Annual multi-trip insurance
If you take two or more holidays a year, you might be able to save money by buying an insurance policy for the entire year, known as a ‘multi-trip policy’. Remember that if you’re planning to visit the USA, Canada, or the Caribbean, you’ll need a specific policy for these countries.
Backpackers’ insurance
If you’re visiting Australia as part of a backpacking holiday, you can find great deals on long term backpacker insurance. This can cover you for longer trips or if you’ll be visiting several different countries.
Can I get travel insurance for Australia with pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, you should still be able to get travel insurance to cover you for your holiday to Australia even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Just be aware that you may need to pay more for your cover due to insurers considering you a higher risk of making a claim.
What should my Australia travel insurance cover?
When you take out cover for your trip to Australia, you should make sure your travel insurance policy offers at least:
Medical cover for a minimum of £5 million
Cancellation cover in case you need to cancel or cut your trip short
Repatriation to cover the cost of bringing you back to the UK in an emergency
Baggage cover, in case your belongings are lost, damaged or stolen. Check the policy limits and exclusions, especially for expensive items such as phones, laptops and camera, as you may need additional or specialist cover to be fully protected. Also check whether your policy offers cover if your luggage is delayed or lost by an airline
Passport cover to protect against any costs you face if your passport is lost or stolen
Missed connections, which may help cover additional costs if you miss a connecting flight due to a ‘covered’ event, such as a delay to an earlier flight
What activities can I get Australia travel insurance for?
Australia is a popular destination for outdoor adventures, and can take part in a range of activities down under, but you’ll need to make sure your travel insurance covers you for what you plan to do,
What won’t be covered by my Australia travel insurance?
Travel insurance offers a lot of useful protection when you’re away, but like all insurance policies it will come with some exclusions you need to keep in mind:
You won’t be covered for high-risk activities or sports that aren’t included in your policy unless you take out extra cover
You’ll also be rejected for any claims related to pre-existing medical conditions you didn’t declare to your insurer
Any incidents or losses that result from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will also not be covered
Finally, you are unlikely to be covered for claims relating to civil unrest or war
How do I get cover for extreme activities or sports in Australia?
Australia is a great country for outdoor sports and activities. If you’re looking to do some scuba diving off the coast or go for a rock-climbing adventure, you may need to add extra cover to your travel insurance.
Fortunately, such cover can usually be added to your travel insurance. When creating a new quote with MoneySuperMarket’s comparison tool, you will be able to select add-ons for extra cover on your holiday.
If you already have a travel insurance policy, you may be able to contact your insurer and request that this cover is added on. However, this will likely increase the cost of your policy.
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
Yes. UK passport holders need a visa to travel to Australia, even for short stays. British tourists can usually apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which allows visits of up to three months at a time. Or, you can apply for an eVisitor visa.
You’ll need to arrange this before you travel, as you won’t be allowed to enter Australia without a valid visa.
Can I access healthcare in Australia?
Yes, you can access Australia’s high standard of healthcare as a UK resident. The UK has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, which allows eligible UK residents to access some medically necessary treatment through the public healthcare system while visiting.
However, this cover is limited and should only be seen as a safety net. It won’t cover treatment for pre-existing conditions, non-urgent care, private healthcare, most prescriptions, ambulance costs, dental treatment, or emergency repatriation to the UK.
This is why taking out travel insurance is strongly recommended when travelling to Australia.
Do I need any vaccinations to visit Australia?
You won’t usually need any special shots for Australia, but it’s important to make sure you’re up to date with all your routine vaccinations before you set off.
Be sure to check the latest travel health advice before oyou travel, as recommendations can change.
Can I use my prescription medicine in Australia?
The legal status of some medicines might be different in Australia. If you’re travelling with prescription medicines, it’s best to check in advance to make sure they’re allowed – and whether any restrictions apply. You should also keep your medicine in its original packaging and bring a copy of your prescription with you, or a letter from your doctor.
It’s also worth checking how much you’re allowed to bring, as generally no more than a three-month supply can be brought into Australia.
Are there any risks to consider when visiting Australia?
Australia is famous for its deadly wildlife, so exercise extreme caution if you encounter any snakes, spiders, or jellyfish, and particularly when swimming or exploring rural and remote areas.
There are some insect-borne diseases in parts of Australia, including some risk of dengue fever in the state of Queensland, so it’s a good idea to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent and covering exposed skin.
In practice, one of the biggest health risks you’re likely to face in Australia comes from the sun. Always wear a high-factor sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Get the best quote on travel insurance to Australia
Getting affordable cover for your holiday to Australia is easy when you compare travel insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket.
Just tell us about yourself and your travel plans – as well as the cover you need – and we’ll search the market for deals that meet your needs. We can save you time and money, and help find you the right cover at a competitive price.
