Travel insurance for visitors to Australia

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Brand	Policy Name	Age limit	Medical cover	Cancellation cover	Apply
CoverMore	Inbound Plan	Under 70	Unlimited	Benefit limit chosen	Bonus Get quote How to apply
Easy	Inbound Plan	69 or under	Unlimited	Benefit limit chosen	Get quote How to apply

_{*When looking for cover, make sure to read any guidelines in the PDS to ensure you qualify for the policy. Most insurers have limitations when it comes to covering pre-existing medical conditions for visitors to Australia.
Note: This information was last updated January 2025}

What is travel insurance for overseas visitors to Australia?

Travel insurance for overseas visitors, sometimes called inbound travel insurance, is for non-Australian residents who plan to travel to Australia. It can cover visitors for any medical emergencies, cancellations, delys or damages to personal items while they're abroad.

For example, if you are currently in the Phillipines and want cover for when you are in Australia, including the inbound flight, this type of policy can cover you. It can also help you cover family members travelling to see you if you're currently living in Australia.

Unlike a travel insurance policy bought in their home country, inbound travel insurance are offerred exclusively by Australian providers. This gives the added benefit of cover with a deeper understanding of the local healthcare landscape, cultural nuances and services in Australia.

Can non-residents get regular travel insurance?

Our expert says

"If you don't live in Australia, you will need to get inbound travel insurance – it's a type of policy designed for non-residents. However, if you're a temporary or permanent resident in Australia, you should be able to get regular travel insurance. I was able to do this as temporary resident when I first moved to Australia from Scotland."

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

What does travel insurance for overseas visitors cover?

Travel insurance for overseas visitors includes similar benefits to international travel insurance policies, such as:

• Medical care. Cover if you need medical care while you're in Australia. Emergencies are often unexpected and expensive, so don't let you or your family get caught out.
• Interruption. Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. Whether you lose your job or are diagnosed with an illness, the long journey means that flights to Australia can be pretty expensive. Travel insurance policies reimburse you for the money you are otherwise not able to get back.
• Belongings. You're travelling such a long way so the last thing you want is to be stuck in Australia without your luggage. If your luggage and belongings are lost, stolen or damaged on your trip, your insurance policy will provide cover for the cost of their repair or replacement. Similarly, if an airline misplaces your luggage or it is delayed, cover is available to help you buy essential clothing and toiletries.
• Theft. Australia is a generally safe country but theft can occur anywhere, especially if you're planning on exploring different parts of the country. Travel insurance looks after you if your cash, credit cards, passport or important travel documents are stolen.
• Accidents. If you're planning a road trip, rental vehicle excess cover makes sure you don't have to pay the excess on the rental vehicle if something goes wrong. Travel insurance for visitors to Australia can also include personal liability. If an accident occurs and you are legally liable to pay for the costs, this can reimburse you up to the limit specified on your policy.

Conditions of non-resident travel insurance for Australia

Typical conditions and eligibilty requirements for non-resident travel insurance include:

• Most of your time must be spent in Australia. You can travel to other destinations for a short time but most of your trip must be spent in Australia.
• Pre-existing conditions. Not all pre-existing medical conditions will be covered by insurers. Some may be automatically excluded and for others, you may be required to submit further information detailing the nature of your condition.
• Age limits. Non-resident travel insurance will generally have an age limit on people who can take out cover. For example, many policies stop offering cover if you are under the age of 80.

Why should I buy inbound travel insurance?

Buying an inbound travel insurance policy from an Australian provider has a few benefits for visitors to Australia over a regular travel insurance policy in their home country.

Australian providers have a greater understanding of the local healthcare landscape, cultural nuances and the essential services available. This can help travellers get timely assistance and nvaigate local systems with relative ease.

For travellers who are already in Austarlia, this is also a straightforward and immediate solution to getting covered. Being able to secure cover locally, eliminates the potenital delays and red tape associated with international transactions or waiting for policies to be activated from afar.

Other insurance options for visitors to Australia

• Travel insurance for overseas students
• Long term visitors
• Health insurance for Australian visa holders

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Frequently asked questions

• What is the best travel insurance for visitors to Australia?

  The best travel insurance for visitors to Australia depends on your needs. However, you will probably need inbound travel insurance because this covers non-residents travelling to Australia for a short stay. If you live and reside in Australia – for example, you're on a visa, you should be eligible for any type of travel insurance.

• Is it possible to purchase a travel insurance policy once you're already in Australia?

  Yes, it is. You can purchase cover before you leave home or once you arrive in Australia. If you purchase cover when you're already in Australia, you may have to serve a brief waiting period (commonly 48 hours) before certain aspects of the cover will take effect.

• Will my children be covered?

  Most non-resident travel insurance policies can also cover your dependent children, often for no additional charge.

• When can I buy a policy?

  You can buy a policy online as soon as you book your trip. If you forget to get cover and have already arrived in Australia, some insurers will still let you buy a policy if you buy it within a few days of arrival.

• Will I be covered for trips outside of Australia?

  There are some insurers who will cover you for trips outside of Australia but the majority of your time must be spent in Australia.

• Do visitors to Australia need health insurance?

  If your country does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia, then health insurance is a mandatory requirement for any type of visitor visa to be granted. The Australian government strongly recommends that all visitors take out private health insurance before they travel.

• Can tourists buy travel insurance in Australia?

  Yes, tourists can buy travel insurance in Australia. Travel insurance is available from both Australian and international providers and can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage and other travel-related risks. It’s recommended to purchase travel insurance before arriving in Australia, but some providers also offer policies to tourists already in the country.

• What travel insurance do I need to go to Australia?

  When travelling to Australia, it’s advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or stolen belongings, and any specific activities you plan to engage in. Most visitors opt for comprehensive travel insurance to ensure they are covered for a wide range of potential issues while in Australia.

• Do I need travel insurance when travelling to Australia?

  Yes, while it's not a legal requirement, it is strongly recommended to have travel insurance when travelling to Australia. Travel insurance can protect you from unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations and other unforeseen events. Without insurance, you could face high costs if you need medical care or experience other travel disruptions.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 622 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living

Co-written by

Cameron Thach

Writer

With a background in writing across education, Web3, and finance, Cameron’s mission is to create content that speaks directly to readers in a way that’s easy to understand, helping them navigate complex topics with confidence. Cameron studied a Bachelor of Commerce, Economics and Marketing at Macquarie University, graduating in 2019. See full bio