Australia is an incredibly vast and beautiful country, with diverse landscapes, climates, and wildlife.

From the iconic Sydney Opera House to epic coastal road trips, there’s so much to explore. Whether you’re planning a short break or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, getting travel insurance for Australia with Asda Money can give you complete peace of mind so you can enjoy every moment.

Do I need travel insurance for Australia?

It’s not a legal requirement to have travel insurance for Australia. However, many travellers choose to take out a travel insurance policy to help with costs if something unexpected happens, such as illness, injury, or the need for emergency assistance. While there is a reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Australia, it does not cover all medical expenses.

Having travel insurance for your Australia trip can also offer protection for non-medical situations, including flight cancellations, lost luggage, or stolen belongings.

Healthcare for British tourists in Australia

The UK and Australia have a reciprocal healthcare agreement in place. If you are travelling on a British passport and need emergency medical care while on holiday, you can access treatment in a public hospital. However, to use this service, you’ll need to be enrolled in Medicare, which is Australia’s subsidised healthcare scheme.

While this agreement covers certain emergency treatments, it does not include costs such as ambulance or air ambulance services, or medication related to pre-existing medical conditions. Having travel insurance for Australia can help cover expenses that fall outside Medicare, depending on the level of cover you choose.

What travel insurance do I need for Australia?

When arranging your travel insurance for Australia from the UK, make sure your policy includes worldwide cover (excluding the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean).

When you take out worldwide travel insurance with Asda Money, you can choose between single trip and annual multi-trip cover. If you’re only planning one holiday this year, single trip travel insurance may be the most suitable.

If your Australia visit is part of a wider journey that includes stops in other countries, or you’re planning multiple holidays in the same year, annual multi-trip cover might work out better for you. Depending on the level you choose, each trip can last up to 31 days (Value), 45 days (Premium) or 55 days (Superior). Family travel insurance cover is also available, allowing you to put everyone on one policy – and up to three kids go free!

If you’re planning on undertaking any adventurous activities during your Australia trip, such as skydiving or bungee jumping, you might need to add Hazardous Activity cover to your policy.

How much does travel insurance for Australia cost?

Single trip travel insurance quotes for Australia start from £18.07* when you buy through Asda Money.

However, the cost of travel insurance for Australia depends on a range of factors, such as:

• Your age – travel insurance premiums often increase with age
  
  
• Any pre-existing medical conditions you have
  
  
• The duration of your stay in Australia
  
  
• The activities you plan to do
  
  
• The type of policy you choose, whether single trip or annual multi-trip.
  
  
• The level of cover you need, plus any add-ons, like hazardous activities cover
  
  

With single-trip policies, you’ll get a quote just for Australia. If you want an annual multi-trip policy, you’ll need to choose the right level of cover based on any other destinations you’re visiting that year.

*Price accurate as of 19th August 2025, quote based on a two-week trip to Australia, Value level of cover, single trip policy, for one person aged 30 years, no medical conditions.

What does travel insurance for Australia cover?

For travel insurance to Australia, you’ll need to take out a policy with worldwide cover (excluding the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean). All three levels of cover available through Asda Money -Value, Premium and Superior – include cover for:

• Trip cancellation for valid reasons listed in your policy, including emergencies that cut your trip short.
  
  
• Medical expenses if you have an accident or fall ill unexpectedly
  
  
• 24/7 medical assistance
  
  
• Repatriation back to the UK.
  
  
• Lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed personal belongings and luggage.
  
  
• Flight delays or cancellations
  
  
• Cancelled accommodation
  
  
• Extended trip costs if your stay is prolonged unexpectedly.
  
  
• Lost passport
  
  
• Personal liability cover if you accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property.
  
  
• Zurich Assist 24-hour worldwide assistance - depending on your level of cover, you may have access to services such as cash transfer advice, consular and embassy referral, and emergency travel or accommodation arrangements. Always check your policy documents so you know exactly what your travel insurance to Australia covers.

What does Australia travel insurance not cover?

When you take out Australia travel insurance with Asda Money, there are some things you won’t be covered for. They include:

• Travelling without the required vaccinations. · Pre-existing medical conditions that you did not disclose to your insurer when you took out your policy.
  
  
• Taking part in illegal activities while in Australia.
  
  
• Accidents or incidents while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. · Injuries from dangerous activities or extreme sports that are not listed in your policy. When organising travel insurance to Australia, it’s best to read your policy documents to ensure you know exactly what is and isn’t included before you set off.

Other considerations when travelling to Australia

When visiting Australia, it’s useful to be mindful of the following:

• UV levels: Australia is known for having high UV levels year-round, even on cloudy days.
  
  
• Remote areas: Large distances between towns mean some locations have limited facilities.
  
  
• Bushfires: More common in summer, especially in rural and forested areas.
  
  
• Crime: Generally low, but incidents can still occur.
  
  
• Wildlife: Australia is home to potentially dangerous species, including snakes, spiders, crocodiles, and sharks.

Do I need travel insurance for a working holiday in Australia?

If you’re planning to work while travelling in Australia, you may be eligible for a 12-month Working Holiday Visa, which can be extended up to 36 months for eligible applicants.

Travel insurance for Australia may include some work-related activities, but most policies exclude manual labour such as farm or construction work. Always check the terms of your travel insurance policy to see what types of work are included.

Do you need any vaccinations to go to Australia?

If you’re up to date with all routine UK vaccinations, you may not need any additional vaccines to travel to Australia. However, for the latest health guidance, check with your GP before you travel. You can also check the Australian Home Affairs website and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development (FCDO) advice for the most up-to-date entry requirements.

If your journey includes stopovers in destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, or Dubai, remember that each country may have its own vaccination requirements. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website provides current information for each location.