Best Australia Travel Insurance for Backpacker [Working Holiday]
In order to do a Working Holiday in Australia, you need a special International Health and Travel insurance. The health insurance is one of the most important steps for your trip to Australia. Because depending on your country of residance the majority of health insurance companies don't cover the stay in Australia.
Going overseas with a Working Holiday Visa you need proper long-term travel health insurance that covers you in Australia. The ability to travel and work for 1 to 2 years abroad should be included. Many health and travel Insurance only cover 6 weeks holiday per year.
I have done the research for you and in this article I summarize everything you need to know about the International Health and Travel Insurance for Australia.
Important: The international health & travel Insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Australia as a Working Holiday Maker, otherwise you may be denied entry to Australia.
So, which is the best health insurance for Working Holiday in Australia?
The short answer: The best international health & travel insurance for Working Holiday in Australia is available from World Nomads*. They offer special insurance for working holiday makers, au-pairs, students and long-term travelers.
World Nomads is a travel insurance company based in Australia. It was founded in 2002 by Simon Monk, a traveler who wanted to address the three key concerns: freedom, safety, and connection.
World Nomads is the perfect insurance company for backpackers and travelers. It’s meant for people who are always on the move, and it covers all the essentials you want in travel insurance.
▷ World Nomads Travel Insurance*
Basics: What you should know in advance.
I started travelling with the working holiday visa in 2015. I stayed in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia. In the last 5 years I gained alot of experience with many different Travel and Health Insurance companies.
International Health Insurance is a complex topic. Which health insurance really fits you and your needs can depend on your personal situation. Do you have dental problems? Or any sickness? If yes, you should spent time with this topic more intense and also get in contact with the different Health Insurance Companies to get the Health Insurance that fits your uniqe situation.
,,For 2022 we recommend Travel Credit Card from Revolut.
No Annual Fee, withdrawling cash abroad is free"
Find out more in the article:
Best Travel Credit Card for Working Holiday!
Do I need international health insurance for Australia?
The simple answer: YES! As part of the Working Holiday Maker Program for Australia, all Travelers entering Australia with the Working Holiday Visa need a valid health Insurance that covers the duration of the stay in Australia.
The complex answer: Australia has a special agreement with some countries, so that travellers from these countries are also covered by the Australian health system “Medicare”. More details about the countries in the next chapter.
Moreover, many health insurance companies do not even cover a trip to Australia or they don't include work abroad.
Tip: If you are not from an english speaking Country have the policy of your international health insurance either translated directly by the insurance company or do it online via LingoKing*! (At Lingoking you can easily have all kinds of documents translated.)
Tip no. 2: Even if you do not want to stay a year in Australia, I always advise to take the health insurance for at least 1 year. You can reclaim the remaining amount after your return and it will be paid back to you. But if you want to stay longer in Australia and you were not granted a complete year due to the duration of the insurance, you cannot change this afterwards. Furthermore, you risk being completely rejected even on arrival.
The health care system in Australia and the Medicare Card
Australia has a special agreement with some countries! This means that travellers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta and Italy are also insured through the Australian health care system and can receive the so-called Medicare card and do not need to take out extra insurance.
If you are not a member of one of the above countries you should check if your national insurance plans cover international travel – sometimes it also depends on the length of your stay. If not, it is highly recommended to get a travel insurance.
As a member of the United Kingdom, you are eligible for Medicare. However, you aren’t covered at work for example, or when you need repatriation back to the UK if necessary. That’s why you need to consider getting a travel insurance.
What does the Working Holiday Australia Health Insurance cost?
The prices of the different plans for the health insurance can vary from company to company. It also plays a role whether the health insurance covers work in Australia. Or do you want to continue travel after Australia?
Especially North America (Canada & U.S.) are very expensive. This is why insurances companies differ between the whole world including U.S. and Canada and for the whole world without U.S. and Canada.
For Working Holiday in Australia, you can find health insurance starting at around 40 – 100 Euros per month. You can use the widget below to get a quote from World Nomads:
Apply for your health insurance before departure!
You must apply for your international health and travel insurance before you leave your Country! The most health insurance companies do not accept, when you apply after you already left. You will lose your insurance cover if you did not apply before your trip started!
Can I buy a travel insurance policy if I'm already overseas?
YES! 🙂 You can be travelling anywhere in the world and still buy a policy with World Nomads! This is another reason why this Insurance is the BEST! You don't have to be at home or within your country of residence to buy this travel insurance.
▷ World Nomads Travel Insurance*
How do I apply for the health insurance for Australia?
You can apply easy from home. Simply apply for your health insurance online and fill out the form. You will receive the healt insurance policy via email! After print it out and put it to your travel documents.
Tip: Create copies of all important documents before you arrive in Australia (print them out and save them in a cloud -> e.g. DropBox* or via email)
Tip No. 2: If you are not from an english speaking Country have the policy of your international health insurance either translated directly by the insurance company or do it online via LingoKing. This will simplify the process at the border in Australia. (You can also have the translation done online with LingoKing*)
▷ For more Information about World Nomads Health and Travel Insurance* visit their Website.
My conclusion – International Health & Travel Insurance for Australia
International health insurance for your Working Holiday year in Australia is mandatory and also protects you from unpleasant financial surprises! Not only because you run the risk of being denied on entry to Australia without a valid health insurance (must be valid for the entire stay). But also because accidents or illness can happen faster than we like.
Based on the experiences of my last 5 years of Travel I recommend the health insurance and special travel insurance from World Nomads*.
World Nomads was founded by backpackers so they know exactly what the budget traveler needs in their plan. If it sounds like the company for you, you can use the widget below to get a quote:
▷ World Nomads Travel Insurance*
I wish you much fun in Australia!
.
Also Read
- Ultimate Backpackers Packing List! [Free PDF]
- The ultimate document checklist for Australia [with PDF]
- The most useful travel apps for your journey through Australia
- 15 Easy Tips to ALWAYS finding the Cheap Flights
- 10 Tips How To Pick A Good Hostel
- MELBOURNE: 11 Places To Visit Before You Die
Ciao Daniel 🙂
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