Destinations
Travel Insurance for Australia: Working Holidays, Long Stays and the Outback
The UK and Australia have a Medicare reciprocal agreement — but it's narrower than people think. Here's what real Australia cover looks like.
Australia is a long, expensive flight and an even more expensive country to need medical help in. Whether you're heading out for a fortnight or a year on a Working Holiday Visa, get this right before you fly.
The Medicare reciprocal agreement
The UK has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Australia. UK visitors can access Medicare for "medically necessary" treatment — a great safety net, but it does not cover:
- Repatriation back to the UK
- Treatment at private hospitals
- Ambulance services (these are charged separately in most states)
- Any non-urgent or follow-up care
- Lost luggage, cancellation, or anything non-medical
Treat Medicare like GHIC: a useful partner, not a replacement for travel insurance.
Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
If you're heading out on a 12-month or 24-month Working Holiday Visa, you need backpacker insurance — standard travel insurance caps trip length too low. Look for:
- Trip length up to 18–24 months
- Casual work cover (bar, hospitality, fruit picking, ski instructing)
- Up to 2 home returns of 14 days each
- Adventure activities included as standard
Manual labour and construction work are excluded on most policies.
The Great Barrier Reef and scuba
Scuba diving to 30m with a qualified instructor or your PADI certification is included as standard. Liveaboard trips, tech diving and dives below 30m need an upgrade.
The Outback and remote areas
Standard cover applies anywhere in Australia — including remote Outback. The catch is that ambulance and rescue from remote areas is expensive (helicopter rescue from Uluru can be £15,000+). Make sure your medical limit is at least £5m.
Snake bites and wildlife
Spider, snake and jellyfish stings are covered as standard medical. The trick is getting to hospital quickly — anti-venom in Australia is excellent and free at public hospitals via Medicare.
Driving and campervans
UK licences are valid for the duration of a tourist visit. For longer stays you may need an Australian licence. Travel insurance covers personal liability; campervan rental insurance covers the vehicle. Add UK car hire excess insurance to save money on the rental company's premium options.
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