travel insurance working holiday visa australia

Best Australia Travel Insurance for Backpacker [Working Holiday]

Daniel Kovacs Australia , Planning Insurance 0

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.

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:

I wish you much fun in Australia!

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Ciao Daniel 🙂

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Working holiday health insurance

If you're working in australia on a 417 or 462 visa, you need overseas visitor health cover (ovhc). it's a condition of your visa, and could save you thousands if you need treatment..

In this guide

What is the working holiday visa for?

The 417 vs 462 visa, health insurance rules for working holiday visas, frequently asked questions.

Overseas Health

Overseas funds

The 417 and 462 visas are both types of working holiday visas, allowing eligible young adults to travel and work in Australia for one or two years. Both let people aged 18 to 30 live and work in Australia for 12 months. Both allow you to extend your stay for another 12 months under certain conditions, including completing 3 months of specified work during your first 12 months.

Whether you get the 417 or 462 visa is based on what country you're applying from. There are also some additional requirements for the 462 visa, which makes it a bit harder to apply for. Here's a bit more detail on the differences between the two:

• Partner countries: Each visa is available to a different group of passport holders. If your passport doesn't give you access to the 417 visa, it may give you access to the 462 visa.
• English language requirement: The 417 visa doesn't have an english language requirement, whereas the 462 visa does.
• Education requirement: The 417 visa doesn't have an education requirement, whereas the 462 visa does.
• Letter of support: The 417 visa doesn't ask you to get a letter of support from your government. For the 462 visa, there are 12 or so countries that require .
• Age limits: Both visas are only available to people between 18 and 30 years of age. Depending on which country you come from, the 417 visa limit can extend up to 35.

For more information on the visas themselves, check the department of immigrations pages on the 417 visa and the 462 visa .

To hold a working holiday visa, you need to satisfy condition 8501 , which says "you must have and maintain adequate health insurance for the whole of your stay in Australia". There are two ways that you can sort this out:

• Be from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. See below for details on that.
• Take out Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) from an authorised Australian provider.

Compare OVHC here to find a policy that will satisfy the visa condition. OVHC will cover you for health and medical costs while you're in Australia. There are very basic policies or very comprehensive ones to suit every budget and requirement.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements

If your home country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia, you'll have access to some services under Australia's pblic health care system, Medicare. This will generally only cover emergency medical treatment, but won't pay for ambulance, dental, funeral, optical, or any treatment that isn't immediately necessary.

More of the 417 visa countries have agreements with Australia, but it's not a perfect match. Similarly, there's at least one agreement on the list of 462 visas (at the time of writing, with Slovenia). My point is, check the list of RHCA countries to be 100% sure.

Should I get travel insurance or health insurance for a working holiday?

Travel insurance and OVHC have slightly different coverage options. Travel insurance covers you for flight cancellation, as well as coverage for travel-related emergencies and some repatriation costs, so it's a very good idea to have, especially on your first trip to Australia. However, Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) offers more comprehensive cover for non-travel related medical expenses, and will definitely satisfy your 8501 visa condition .

What work and study limitations are there on working holiday visas?

Under the Working Holiday Maker program, there's usually a 6 month work limitation. This means you can't work for the same employer for more than 6 months, though there are exceptions. For instance, you can work for the same employer for more than 6 months without asking permission in the following situations: you work in different locations that doesn't exceed 6 months; you work in plant and animal cultivation or; you work in specific industries in Northern Australia. Also, you cannot study for more than 4 months on these visa.

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).

More guides on Finder

Insurance can be confusing when you first arrive in Australia but only health insurance is compulsory – others can be good to have depending on your situation.

Have you just got your permanent residency? See how you're covered for healthcare in Australia and compare your options today.

Looking for visa-compliant OVHC that covers you during your stay in Australia? Find out more about whether Bupa is right for you.

If you incur medical or hospital expenses overseas, will your Australian private health insurance cover the cost? Find out here.

View a range of NIB overseas visitors health insurance policies.

If you’re in Australia on a bridging visa, it’s important that you choose a suitable level of private health insurance cover.

HIF Overseas Visitors Health Cover provide varying levels of hospital and extras cover that complies with visa requirements for those coming to Australia for work or leisure.

Find an adequate level of private health insurance to cover any medical costs incurred during your trip to Australia on a subclass 600 visa.

HCF Overseas Visitor Health Cover offers hospital and optional extras cover for overseas visitors who are eligible to work in Australia but who are not covered by Medicare.

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Working Holiday Maker Covers

For visa subclass 417 and 462.

Taking a working holiday in Australia? Medibank have a range of covers that can help with the cost of medical treatment if you have an accident or get sick, as well as more comprehensive covers designed to meet any visa health insurance requirements you might have.

Common visas:

Why choose Medibank's Overseas Health Cover?

24/7 Medibank Nurse & Mental Health Service

Need advice? You can call  1800 644 325  and speak to a Medibank Nurse or Mental Health professional to discuss any health questions or concerns and get professional advice on what to do next.

Visa compliant cover

Medibank offers a range of cover options that can meet your visa health insurance requirements for working or studying in Australia.

Receive your visa health insurance certificate as soon as you purchase online.

Protect against the unexpected

No matter which Medibank Overseas Workers Health Cover you choose, your cover includes unlimited emergency ambulance Australia-wide +

You have a range of health covers to choose from

Each one includes unlimited emergency ambulance cover.^ Plus, if you purchase a condition 8501 compliant cover online, you’ll get your visa health insurance certificate straight away.

Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical

A mid level cover option for younger visitors to Australia who don’t require health cover for visa purposes (condition 8501), but want the peace of mind of having cover for more than the essentials (incl. Heart and vascular system services) during their time in Australia.

This cover may only be purchased by policy holders who are aged 49 or under.

Pays benefits towards accommodation and medical costs for included medical procedures in hospital. This includes charges for treatment you receive from doctors, specialists, surgeons and anaesthetists.

• Includes 26 common clinical categories of hospital treatment (incl. Heart and vascular system)
• Accidental Injury Benefit+
• Choice of $250 or $750 excess

Pays benefits towards included medical services in and out of hospital.

• Pays 100% of the MBS fee
• Inpatient medical services across 26 clinical categories
• General Practitioner (GP) consultations
• Other common out-of-hospital medical services (blood tests & x-rays)
• Most Allied Health services billed with an MBS item number~

Overseas Workers Base Hospital

A great option if you want to meet your visa health insurance requirements (condition 8501) on a budget, along with the peace of mind of having a top hospital cover, but don't need cover for outpatient service like seeing a GP.

• Visa condition 8501 compliant
• Includes all 38 clinical categories of hospital treatment
• Choice of $300 or $500 excess

Pays benefits towards included medical services in hospital.

• Inpatient medical services across all 38 clinical categories

Overseas Workers Standard Hospital and Medical

An all-round option for if you want to meet any visa health insurance requirements (condition 8501) while having comprehensive cover to help with the cost of everyday medical services, like seeing a doctor, but don't need outpatient pregnancy and birth services or assisted reproductive services.

• Includes 37 clinical categories of hospital treatment (excl. Assisted reproductive services)
• Choice of $0, $250, $500 or $750 excess
• Inpatient medical services across 37 clinical categories
• Most out-of-hospital medical services (blood tests & x-rays)
• Allied Health services billed with an MBS item number~

Overseas Visitors Everyday Hospital and Medical

A cover option suitable for those visiting Australia who are fit and healthy, don't require health cover for visa purposes (condition 8501) and only want cover for the essentials and accidents 'just in case' the unexpected occurs.

• Includes 24 common clinical categories of hospital treatment
• Choice of $250 or $500 excess

Pays benefits towards medical services in and out of hospital.

• Inpatient medical services across 24 clinical categories

Overseas Workers Advanced Hospital and Medical

Comprehensive hospital and medical cover that meets visa condition 8501 and includes a wide range of services from pregnancy and birth and assisted reproductive services to heart and vascular system admissions plus helps reduce expenses for GP (doctor) visits, x-rays and blood tests.

• $500 excess
• Pays 125% of the MBS fee
• All other out-of-hospital medical services (blood tests & x-rays)

Overseas Workers Premium Hospital, Medical and Extras

Our only overseas health cover with extras, which is ideal for families and for meeting any visa health insurance requirements (condition 8501). It has comprehensive hospital and medical benefits, and pays 85% back at Members' Choice providers (up to annual limits)* for things like dental and physiotherapy.

• Choice of $0, $250 or $500 excess
• Pays 200% of the MBS fee

Helps you pay for everyday general health services like dental, optical, remedial massage and physiotherapy. 

• Look after your day-to-day health & wellbeing with dental, optical, physio and more.
• If you use a Members' Choice provider you will be able to claim 85% back on the cost, up to annual limits, of services that are included in your cover*
• 100% back on up to two annual dental check-ups & cleans at any Members' Choice dentist #
• See better value with 100% back on optical (up to annual limits) at all recognised providers**

Things you should know

Waiting periods, annual limits and out-of-pocket expenses apply.

^For ambulance attendance and transportation to a hospital where immediate professional attention is required and your medical condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.

+Any Excluded service will be treated as an Included service where you require hospital treatment as a result of injuries sustained in an Accident after joining this cover and within 12 months of the date the Accident occurred. The Accident must have occured in Australia while the cover was not suspended. Treatment must be sought within 7 days of the Accident. Excludes claims covered by third parties such as WorkCover.

~Services not provided by a doctor but are billed with an MBS item number. For example, eye checks and services related to chronic disease and mental health management plans, where they fall under an Included service under your Hospital cover.

*Only at Members’ Choice providers. Up to annual limits. Members Choice not available in all areas. Waiting periods apply including 12 months for some dental services.

#Waiting period may apply. Limited to two dental check-ups annually on all extras. Not available in all areas.

**Up to annual limits. Waiting periods may apply. Some services, like lens coating, aren’t included.

The Medibank Overseas Health Covers above are suitable for working holiday makers on the below visas:

Please note that if your visa is subject to condition 8501, you should choose a cover from the above that is 8501 compliant..

This information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs website and is accurate as of 15th May 2020.

Visa subclass 417

The Working Holiday visa allows you to stay in Australia as a visitor for 12 months (and longer if you also meet the work requirements), and you can work while you are here. This might be an appropriate visa if you want to work in Australia to fund an extended holiday here, and you're from one of the 19 eligible countries.

Visa subclass 462

The Work and Holiday visa is similar to the Working Holiday visa and also allows you to stay and work in Australia as a visitor for 12 months (and longer if you also meet the work requirements). If you're from one of the 24 eligible countries, this visa may carry additional language and educational requirements, as well as a letter of support from your Government.

Not sure what you're looking for?

Speak to one of our friendly staff about your cover options. Call  1300 981 380  or  request a call . 

Learn more about Australia's healthcare system

If you need medical attention while you’re in Australia and you don’t have health cover it can be very expensive, whether you’re treated in the public or the private healthcare system. Find out more about the differences between the private and public healthcare system.

Need some help?

We’re here to help you choose the health cover that matches your needs while you’re in Australia.  Contact Medibank how it suits you; messaging, WeChat, in-store or by phone.

Overseas students (OSHC)

Message one of our friendly staff about your cover options.

Visitor, working and working holiday (OVHC)

Speak to one of our friendly staff for sales and policy enquiries.

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Leave your details and a Medibank expert will be in touch to take you through your options. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.

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COVID-19 Health Assist - Expression of interest

Complete this form to express your interest in one of our programs. If you're eligible, a member of our team will call you within 2-3 business days.

What program are you interested in?

Sorry, only members with current Hospital cover are eligible to participate in these programs

Eligible Medibank members with Extras cover are able to access a range of telehealth services included on their cover - you can find out more here . Alternatively, if you would like to talk to one of our team about your cover, we're here on 132 331 .

Your membership details

Please provide your details so we can know how to contact you.

Your contact details

By clicking Submit, I understand that Medibank or its subsidiaries may contact me to discuss my eligibility for the Covid-19 Heath Assist program(s), and will disclose my personal information within the Medibank Group of companies and to third party service providers. Please see Medibank’s privacy policy for further information about how Medibank will handle my personal information, and how to contact Medibank: https://www.medibank.com.au/privacy/

Thank you for expressing your interest in one of our COVID-19 Health Assist programs.

If you are eligible, one of our health professionals will call you in 2-3 business days to discuss your situation and help to enrol you in the relevant program.

There is no cost to participate, however some referred services may incur an out of pocket cost.

The Ultimate Guide to Australia’s Working Holiday Visa

Matt graham.

• 21 April 2024
• Work & Travel in Australia

Thinking about applying for a working holiday visa in Australia? You’re not alone! More than 150,000 people from 48 different countries come to Australia each year for a working holiday.

It’s a popular rite of passage, particularly for young people looking for an adventure or an opportunity to improve their English after finishing school or university. The highest numbers of Australian working holiday visa applicants are from the UK, France, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Italy.

Australia is a huge country, so you’ll need a bit of time if you want to experience everything it has to offer! If you want to stay for more than just a few months, a working holiday visa is a great option because you’ll have the right to live, work and travel in Australia for a whole year. There’s even the possibility to extend your visa for a second or third year.

During your stay, you can earn money by working in Australia. So you don’t have to use up all of your savings!

Australia offers two different types of visas to backpackers. There’s the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa, and the slightly different Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. The type of visa you may be eligible for depends on which country you’re from.

This interactive map shows the countries that have working holiday agreements with Australia:

Want to learn more? This comprehensive guide has everything you need to know to apply for an Australian working holiday visa and make the most of your experience Down Under!

What you can do with a working holiday visa

Nationalities that can apply for a subclass 417 visa, requirements to apply for a subclass 417 visa, nationalities that can apply for a subclass 462 visa, what you need to apply for a subclass 462 visa, how to apply for an australian working holiday visa, what counts as specified work, which parts of australia are regional and remote, making friends in australia, buying or renting a vehicle, buses and trains, how to get cheap flights within australia, superannuation in australia, frequently asked questions (faqs).

🇦🇺 Are you an Australian citizen?

Most working holiday agreements between countries are reciprocal! This means Aussies can also apply for working holiday visas in most of the countries Australia has bilateral agreements with.

See the full list of countries that offer working holiday visas to Australians for details!

Once you’re issued with a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa, you’ll have 12 months to enter Australia.

Starting from the date you first arrive, you can stay in Australia for up to one year. There’s also the option to apply later for a second and third year visa.

During your working holiday, you can:

• Travel around Australia
• Work in short-term jobs to help pay for your holiday
• Study in Australia for up to 4 months
• Leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like while your visa remains valid.

There are no restrictions on the type of work you can do. And unlike with student visas, there is no limit to the number of hours you can work in a week. However, you can generally only work for the same employer for up to six months .

Australia’s Working Holiday (417) visa

The Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa is available to citizens of 19 countries. It is the easier of the two working holiday visas to apply for, as there are fewer requirements.

Eligible citizens from the following countries can apply for an Australian Working Holiday visa:

To apply for a first-year Australian Working Holiday (417) visa, you would need to meet the following requirements:

• Be aged 18-30 at the time of your application (or up to 35 years old if you’re from certain countries)
• Have at least AUD5,000 in savings, plus enough money to buy a plane ticket home from Australia
• Be in good health
• Agree to the “Australian Values Statement”
• Be outside of Australia at the time of your application

You would not be eligible for this visa if:

• You have previously held a 417 or 462 visa in Australia (even if you applied using a different passport)
• You would be accompanied by dependent children
• You or a family member have outstanding debts to the Australian government
• You have previously had an Australian visa cancelled
• You have a substantial criminal record

See the Department of Home Affairs website for full details.

Australia’s Work and Holiday (462) visa

The Australian government offers Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas to citizens from a further 29 countries.

This is similar to the subclass 417 visa, but there are a few more conditions (such as education and English language requirements). Citizens from some countries also need to provide a letter of approval from their own government.

Australia places annual caps on the number of 462 visas issued to citizens from each eligible country. Many of these caps are high enough that they are unlikely to ever be reached. However, the annual quotas for Indonesia, Ecuador, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Mongolia, Thailand, Türkiye and Switzerland are often completely filled.

These annual limits reset on 1 July every year. So, if you’re from a country where there’s lots of competition for places, you might want to apply for your 462 visa (and/or the necessary letter of approval from your government) in early July.

You can see the current status of country caps on the Department of Home Affairs website .

Eligible citizens from the following countries can apply for an Australian Work and Holiday visa:

The Australian government will add India and the Philippines to this list in the near future.

To apply for a first-year Australian Work and Holiday (462) visa, you would need to meet the following requirements:

• Be aged 18-30 at the time of your application
• Have a tertiary qualification (e.g. a university degree) or have completed at least two years of undergraduate study – note, exact requirements vary by nationality
• Speak English at a level considered at least “functional”
• If you’re from one of the countries where this is required, have a letter of support from your government

You cannot get this visa if:

You can apply for your Australian Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa online. This earliest date you can apply is up to a year before you intend to arrive in Australia.

Use the links below to the Department of Home Affairs website for full instructions and to apply for:

• Your first Working Holiday (417) visa
• Your first Work and Holiday (462) visa

To apply, you’ll need to create an ImmiAccount, upload the required documents and pay the visa fee.

Both visas have a cost of AUD635 for one year. This is roughly equivalent to USD410, £330 or €385, depending on the current exchange rate.

If you’re applying for a subclass 417 visa and your application is straightforward, it could take less than a day to receive your visa. But if you’re applying for a subclass 462 visa, or your application is a bit more complex, it will probably take a few weeks. A small number of applications may take 1-2 months to process.

The Australian government will contact you when it grants your visa. You can then travel to Australia!

How to get a second or third year Australian working holiday visa

You can apply for a second working holiday visa if you complete at least 88 days (around 3 months) of “specified work” while holding your first visa.

There is also an option to get a third-year visa if, during your second year in Australia, you do at least 179 days (around 6 months) of “specified work”.

The minimum number of days includes weekends and rest days during your period of employment, as long as you’re working the equivalent of full-time hours 5 days per week during that time. You can also count multiple shorter periods of “specified work” towards your second or third year working holiday visa.

From 1 July 2024, UK citizens are exempt from the specified work requirement.

During your Australian working holiday, you’re free to do almost any type of work. But only jobs in approved industries and locations can be counted as “specified work” for the purpose of extending your working holiday.

Most “specified work” jobs are in hospitality or primary industries, and must be in regional or remote areas.

Here’s the full list of approved “specified work” for 417 and 462 visa holders:

Many backpackers choose to work on farms (for example, picking fruit) or in hospitality.

Some examples of jobs that count as specified work in tourism and hospitality include:

• Hotel receptionists
• Tourist guides
• Outdoor activity instructors
• Tourist transport services
• Museum or gallery workers
• Conference and event organisers

Most types of specified work only count if you are employed in a regional or remote location.

Most of Australia is classified as regional or remote, except for:

• Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast & Wollongong
• All of the ACT (Canberra)
• Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast
• The Melbourne metropolitan area
• Perth and surrounding areas

If you choose to do your specified work in tourism or hospitality, it must be in Northern Australia or a remote/very remote location.

Northern Australia is defined as the entire Northern Territory, plus anywhere in Queensland or Western Australia that’s north of the Tropic of Capricorn (i.e. Rockhampton or further north).

There are specific postcodes that are considered remote and very remote Australia. You can find the full list on the Department of Home Affairs website , along with a complete overview of all the specified work conditions and requirements.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics also has a helpful colour-coded map showing which parts of Australia are regional, remote and very remote.

Arriving in Australia

With your visa sorted, it’s time to book your flight to Australia!

If you’re planning to stay for a year or longer, you might need to book a one-way flight. See our tips to minimise the cost when booking one-way flights .

If you want to bring more stuff with you to Australia than you can fit in your bag , you may consider using a service such as Send My Bag . For an affordable price, they’ll pick up your extra bags from your home and deliver them to you quickly in Australia! Working Holidays for Aussies readers can also get 5% off their first order with Send My Bag.

Before you arrive in Australia, it’s a good idea to have a plan of where you’ll stay when you first arrive. Many backpackers stay initially in a hostel while they look for work and/or more permanent accommodation.

Hostels are also a great place to meet other people after moving to a new country .

If you’re looking for shared accommodation in Australia, Flatmates.com.au is the country’s largest website for connecting spare rooms with people.

See our guide to surviving the first weeks after moving overseas for more tips on what to do when you first arrive.

As well as hostels, Facebook groups can be a good way to connect with other people from your own country. For example, the “Poms in Sydney” group is for Brits in Sydney. “Backpacker Australien” is a useful group for German working holiday makers, while “Les français en Australie 2024” is a good one to join if you’re from France.

Another great way to both meet people and visit lots of cool places around Australia after you arrive is to join a Contiki tour . Contiki offers lots of tours through different parts of Australia which are specifically designed for 18-35 year olds!

Some of Contiki’s Australian tours include:

• The 9-day Outback Adventure tour from Uluru to Darwin
• The 9-day North Queensland Adventure tour from Airlie Beach to Cairns
• The 16-day Beaches And Reefs tour from Sydney to Cairns
• The 20-day Ultimate Australia tour from Sydney to Cairns with an Uluru & Kings Canyon add-on

Plus, we’ve teamed up with Contiki to offer Working Holidays for Aussies readers a 5% discount!

To take advantage of this discount, simply book any eligible tour on the Contiki website and enter the promo code WHFA5OFF at the checkout.

The 5% discount is available on new bookings, for trips of at least 7 days, when you book directly with Contiki. You can combine this discount with ongoing promotions and the past pax discount (FTD), but not other promo codes. You must enter the promo code at the time of booking.

Travelling around Australia

Of course, you can also make your own travel plans!

A popular way to see lots of the country is to rent a car or campervan – or to buy a cheap second-hand car.

Many backpackers drive up or down the east coast of the country, where you’ll find lots of great beaches, towns and cities between Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane and Cairns. If you’re feeling really adventurous – and have at least a few months to spare – you could even drive around the entire country!

You can often find cars for sale in backpacker Facebook groups. Or if you’d like to rent a campervan, check out JUCY – they are the specialists and often have great deals on car and campervan rentals.

🚙 Tip: Look for one-way car & campervan relocation deals!

You can often save a LOT of money on vehicle rentals by taking advantage of one-way relocation deals. These cost as little as $1 per day. Sometimes the rental company will even throw in some petrol!

Companies offer these heavily discounted rates when they need to relocate their vehicles. It’s cheaper to get a customer to drive the car to its destination, rather than paying someone or getting it towed.

The catch is that the pick-up and drop-off locations are fixed. You would also need to get the car to its destination within a specific date range, and there may be a small booking fee.

The available pick-up and drop-off locations vary depending on the season, but at any given time there are often hundreds of cheap one-way rentals available! You can find these deals on the following websites:

• VroomVroomVroom.com.au

Many backpackers use buses or trains to travel across Australia.

Greyhound Australia has an extensive network of coach services. If you plan to take multiple trips, a Greyhound Travel Pass could be a good value option.

NSW TrainLink operates long-distance trains and coaches across the state of NSW, as well as from Sydney to Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. You can even use NSW TrainLink to get from Sydney to Adelaide by taking a train to the gorgeous outback town of Broken Hill, then a coach the rest of the way.

If you think you might do a few trips with NSW TrainLink, their Discovery Pass gives you unlimited trips and is excellent value.

Of course, Australia is a huge country! Travelling overland is well worth it as you’ll get to see more of regional Australia. But if you’re short on time, you can also fly between cities.

Australia has four main domestic airlines – Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Rex.

Jetstar is Australia’s largest budget airline. They offer cheap flights to many of Australia’s tourist hotspots. You can get even cheaper flights by booking during their weekly “Friday Fare Frenzy” sales between 4-8pm (AEST) every Friday.

Here’s another tip: You can save money on Virgin Australia flights by using a discount code ! Virgin also runs weekly “Happy Hour” sales from 4-11pm (AEST) every Thursday.

Paying tax in Australia

When you work in Australia, you’ll need to pay income tax to the Australian government.

The Australian government taxes most working holiday makers at a different rate to Australian tax residents. As of 2024, this rate is 15% on the first $45,000 you earn during any given financial year. Amounts between $45,001 and $120,000 are then taxed at a rate of 32.5%. (A higher rate applies if you earn more than this.)

Note that the Australian financial year is from 1 July until 30 June.

See the Australian Tax Office website for more information about tax for subclass 417 and 462 visa holders.

When you work in Australia and earn at least $450 per month, your employer must also pay superannuation for you. This is on top of your salary or hourly rate. The rate is currently 11% but will increase to 11.5% on 1 July 2024.

Superannuation is a system designed to help Australians save for their retirement. Most Australians cannot access their superannuation until they turn 60 years old.

However, if you only worked in Australia temporarily during a working holiday, you may be able to withdraw your superannuation after you leave. This is called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). See the Australian Tax Office website for details.

A working holiday is an extended holiday where you have the option to work in temporary jobs during your vacation, to help fund your trip. What are the requirements for a Working Holiday visa in Australia?

To get a working holiday visa in Australia, you generally need to be from an eligible country, aged between 18-30 and have at least AUD5,000 (around €3,000) in savings. Citizens of some countries also need to speak English and to have studied at university for at least two years. Why is Australia a popular destination for working holidays?

Many people choose Australia for their working holiday because it’s a huge country with lots of spectacular nature, freedom and job opportunities. An Australian working holiday is also a great way to meet people and, if you’re learning English, to improve your English skills. Is it hard to get a Working Holiday visa for Australia?

If you’re from an eligible country and meet the requirements, it’s easy to get an Australian working holiday visa! Simply apply online and pay the visa fee.

However, if you’re from a country that Australia only offers a limited quota of Work and Holiday visas to, there might be some competition for the available spots. If this applies to you, you can increase your chances by applying for your visa in early July.

Citizens from many European countries who are aged 18-30 (or up to 35 in some cases) are eligible to get a Working Holiday visa in Australia. This comes with the right to work in Australia for up to six months per employer. The Australian government also offers other types of work visas. Can you get an Australian working holiday visa if you’re over 30?

The age limit to get an Australian working holiday visa is generally 30, but there are some exceptions. Citizens of Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy and the UK can apply up to the age of 35. Does Australia have a digital nomad visa?

Australia does not yet offer an official digital nomad visa . When will Australia open Work and Holiday visa applications to Indian citizens?

The Australian government has not yet advised a specific date when it will start accepting Work and Holiday visa applications from Indian citizens . However, it is expected to be in late 2024. When will Australia launch Work and Holiday visas for citizens of the Philippines?

Australia and the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 that outlined plans for both countries to offer Work and Holiday visas to citizens of the other country. However, the Australian government has not yet advised of the exact date when it will start offering Work and Holiday visas for Filipinos in Australia. Is it true that Australian animals are dangerous?

There is a myth that all the animals in Australia are trying to kill people. It is true that Australia has venomous snakes and spiders, and you probably shouldn’t swim in places where there are crocodiles. But drop bears aren’t real and shark attacks are rare (many popular beaches are patrolled for sharks in the summer).

If you take basic precautions, you will almost certainly be safe. In the unlikely event that you get bitten by a poisonous spider, Australian doctors know exactly what to do!

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Gab Travelling | Travel Blog

Guide: Choosing Health Insurance for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Health insurance is one of the most important things to purchase before travelling, but it can be very misunderstood. With so many options in Australia and abroad, it’s tough to decide on a policy while balancing the options—the price versus what it covers. I’m looking through the fine print of policies to offer options for choosing health insurance for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia.

While planning to travel to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, I knew I needed health insurance. And, I didn’t want to pay for my public health insurance in Canada while I was away. But, many international health insurance companies require you to have health insurance in your home country, which is why I had a hard time finding one.

I found purchasing a policy in Australia for visitors was the best solution.

I’m reviewing the most basic health insurance policies for Working Holiday Visas in Australia. All policies and prices are quoted per year for a single Canadian, female, age 25 on a Working Holiday Visa 417 and are current as per the publication date.

This isn’t a complete list of health insurers in Australia, they’re just some of the cheapest and most comprehensive policies.I do not recommend any companies specifically, this is just an overview of what companies are out there, what they offer, and the policy price.

Table of Contents

Do you need health insurance?

Health insurance is always a good idea, even if you’re healthy and have no long-term health problems. Infections or ailments of any kind can occur unexpectedly anytime—especially when travelling. Same goes for accidents or mistakes that result in needing an emergency medical attention.

Many travellers choose not to purchase health insurance at all, mainly because they think it’s a waste of money. If you purchase health insurance and end up not using it, it could feel that way. But, when you need health insurance and save thousands with it, it definitely won’t feel like a waste of money.

Whether you really need health insurance or not is up to your discretion. Many people travel without and do fine, but it’s a big risk.

Important: Health insurance is not mandatory for the 417 or 467 Working Holiday Visas.

Hospital + GP + Ambulance Coverage

Think back to your health needs in your home country. Was it only hospital access or for a GP? The two aren’t included in all basic policies, which is why I’m listing them separately. The companies on this list also offer extras within these policies, such as ambulance coverage.

Before skipping over these policies, remember almost every basic health insurance policy for Working Holiday Visas have an excess charge for hospital admittance (day or night). This fee (sometimes A$500 per visit) can add up quick. In some instances, the policies only cover what Medicare would. Either way, there will be some out-of-pocket expenses no matter what. But, paying a few hundred is still better than paying thousands.

In addition to these policies listed, the companies have more policies and extras to add on—such as dental care. However, none cover existing medical conditions. Policies are listed based on a one-time yearly price.

HCF Overseas Visitors Short Stay – A$589.98

Hospital Excess: A$200 max fee per visit.

First on the list and the cheapest overall price is with HCF. This health insurance for a Working Holiday Visa covers most basic needs, such as doctors fess in and out of hospital, hospital accommodation and ambulance for emergencies. Those that choose this policy can search for doctors and hospitals in HCF’s network to save out of pocket expenses. The above hospital fee is per visit and can be applied multiple times per year.

Check out HCF’s Overseas Visitors Short Stay full list of coverage.

Bupa Short Stay Visitors Cover – A$611.16

Hospital Excess: A$250 per visit per calendar year .

Bupa’s Short Stay Visitor Cover policy covers most people coming to Australia as a visitor. What’s good about this policy, is it covers emergency and non-emergency conditions. Being able to go to a GP means less out-of-pocket expenses that come with going to a hospital. Both private and public hospitals are covered, but there’s more incentive to use a private hospital, based on Bupa’s network and agreements.

Check out Bupa’s Short Stay Visitors Cover full list of coverage.

Australian Unity Basic Overseas Visitors Cover – A$711

Hospital Excess: A$500 for first hospital visit per year.

On the higher end of pricing for Working Holiday Visa health insurance, Australian Unity comes in highest for overall price and hospital excess fee. The yearly benefit limit is A$50,000 for singles for this policy. Along with this only 60 percent of costs are covered for accommodation in a public hospital in a shared room, along with that A$500 excess. And, no pharmacy items are covered out-of-hospital. Pre-existing conditions are also not covered.

There’s also a waiting period of 24 hours for accident related conditions—so be careful getting from the airport towards home, if you choose this policy! A pro of this policy is that it covers one ambulance attendance per year, meaning if an ambulance was called but you chose not to take it.

Check out Australian Unity’s Basic Overseas Visitors Cover policy full list of coverage.

Hospital + Ambulance Coverage

These policies offer more basic emergency health coverage, such as hospital and ambulance access. The benefit to these is not all have a hospital excess fee. So, if the user does end up going to the hospital, it could be more affordable than other options. Similar to the above plans, these policies generally just cover what Medicare would.

The companies offering these policies below also offer additional health insurance for Working Holiday Visas such as with GP coverage and more. Policies are listed based on one-time yearly price, unless otherwise noted.

HIF Basic Working Visa – A$824.85

Hospital Excess: A$500 per admission.

Another basic health insurance for a Working Holiday Visa, HIF’s offers admission to both public and private hospitals for a shared room. Other extras are include such as pregnancy-related services and psychiatric care, but only after a 12 month waiting period. It also offers 100 percent coverage for road ambulance transport for emergency and non-emergency.

Check out HIF’s Basic Working Visa policy full list of coverage.

nib Budget Visitor Cover – A$16.90 weekly

No hospital excess fee

nib’s budget policy offers a unique blend of health insurance. While other health insurance policies don’t this, nib offers funeral expenses and medical repatriation to the users home country. While it also offers some pregnancy-related treatment that other policies don’t, nib’s has a 12 month waiting period.

Check out nib’s Budget Visitor Cover full list of coverage.

Allianz Budget Working Cover – A$900

Included in Allianz’s Budget Working Cover is basic health insurance for Working Holiday Visas. The main difference of this policy to those with GP coverage is that there’s no excess fee. Budget-wise choosing one with GP coverage could be more sensible, if you don’t end up going to the hospital. That’s because this policy is still more expensive than a cheaper plan, without paying the hospital excess fee. A bonus to this plan is that it covers 100 percent of private and public hospital admission.

Check out Allianz’s Budget Working Cover full list of c overage .

International health insurance plans

People with Working Holiday Visas in Australia, aren’t just focused on health insurance in the country. Aside from the previously mentioned plans focusing on health care in Australia, travellers often want health insurance coverage for other countries. This could be because they’re planning to visit other countries on the trip or for other reasons.

There’s hundreds of international travel health insurance plans. I’m just outlining a few common brands. Something to remember, is with most of these health insurance plans the policy only covers someone with health insurance in their home country.

Overall these companies offer health insurance at budget prices, but a downfall to some of these policies is waiting to receive money from a claim can often take months. A benefit, is that some of these companies offer combined travel and health insurance for those looking to have other coverage. Companies are in alphabetical order.

• Outbacker Insurance (UK residents only)
• True Travellers (European residents)
• World Nomad Insurance

Accessing Medicare offers a wide-range of public health care benefits that an Australian citizen are eligible for. Included is access to public hospitals and rebates when going to a General Practitioner (GP).

There’s many things that aren’t included in this, such as dental care, eye exams and ambulances (in most states). Due to Reciprocal Health Care Agreements , some visitors with health insurance on Working Holiday Visas in their home country can apply for Medicare.

This includes visitors from:

• the Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• the United Kingdom

It’s still encouraged to get additional health insurance on a Working Holiday Visa, based on what Medicare doesn’t cover. But, it depends on your unique needs and wants for health insurance while in Australia.

After choosing health insurance, check out my guide for how to get started in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is health insurance for international visitors visiting or working in Australia on a temporary visa. OVHC is available for people travelling to Australia on holidays, visiting relatives, or for those who are working on a temporary basis.

If you become sick or have an accident while you are here in Australia, Allianz Care Australia OVHC will help you pay for your medical costs.

Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a citizen of a country that has a Reciprocal Health Agreement with Australia, you will not be eligible for Medicare - the public health insurance system. Without access to Medicare, paying for medical treatment can be prohibitively expensive.

If your visa is subject to condition 8501, you’re required to maintain adequate health insurance for yourself and any family. This means that maintaining adequate health insurance is a mandatory requirement while the visa holder is in Australia.

There might be times when you are sick or injured and need assistance. Your OVHC covers you for medical costs that would normally be covered by the Australian Medicare system if you were an Australian resident.

Whether you’re coming to Australia for a holiday, visiting family or friends, or visiting for work, we provide OVHC that meets visa condition 8501 which applies to the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage and 485 Temporary Graduate visas as well as others.

Overseas visitors may want to consider OVHC to help pay for medical treatment in Australia as it can be expensive and y ou may not be eligible for Medicare (the public health insurance system for Australian residents). OVHC is a requirement if your visa is subject to visa condition 8501. Allianz Care Australia OVHC policies meet the requirements of adequate health insurance (visa condition 8501).

When you are away from home, it is important to know medical treatment is available and affordable if something was to happen to you. 

For relevant visa types subject to visa condition 8501, the Australian Government requires that you and your dependants have adequate health insurance for the entire length of your and your dependants' stay in Australia.

Your cover starts on the later of, the start date shown on your Certificate of Insurance, the date your eligible visa is granted or the date of your arrival in Australia.

Your cover ceases on the date of your departure from Australia, the date you cease to hold an eligible visa, the date we or you cancel your policy or the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance, whichever occurs first.

In Australia, health care is made up of a mixture of services funded by the Australian Government and private health insurance. Australian residents are automatically covered for many hospital and medical costs under the Government’s Medicare scheme, but many Australians choose to take out additional cover through the private health care system.

Medicare covers areas of medical, hospital and pharmaceutical costs, but doesn’t cover medical services like private hospital costs, dental, physiotherapy and similar services, emergency ambulance assistance or other transport to hospital.

For international workers and visitors who are not covered under Medicare, you can purchase  Overseas Visitor Health Cover  (OVHC).

If your visa type requires you to maintain adequate health insurance while you are in Australia (visa condition 8501), Allianz Care Australia OVHC policies meet the requirements of adequate health insurance (visa condition 8501).

If your visa type is not subject to condition 8501 and you are not eligible for Medicare, you may like to consider purchasing an Allianz Care Australia OVHC policy to ensure that you have cover for any unplanned medical or hospital care you may need while in Australia.

You can check your visa conditions  here

For the list of visas that we cover, click  here

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• More info Australia is a popular destination for both Working Holiday Visas and tourists, however, it is also worth considering Australia as a destination for studying. Better yet, foreign students are in great demand, with many nationalities. Many choose to study in Australia to improve their English skills, travel around Australia and to gain an international degree. Many choose to study in Australia.
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How to choose the best Working Holiday Travel Insurance?

It is strongly recommended to get good health insurance when leaving for Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. According to the conditions set by the immigration office it is mandatory to have health insurance that covers you before leaving for Australia. Whether you are on a world trip with a quick stop in Australia or planing on staying a long time on your Working Holiday it is essential to have good health coverage in case of an accident or just for simple care. Here are some tip to help you chose the best Working Holiday Travel Insurance .

Table of Contents

Travel Insurance Criteria

Quality of service.

In addition to the popularity of the insurance provider the services offered are a determining factor is establishing the quality of the insurance. Again, get information and feedback from other backpackers. They will tell you if an insurance company has treated them well, if their reimbursements have been paid and within what time frame. If you are not yet in Australia you can ask on online fora and Facebook groups etc.

• Ease of subscribing;
• Possibility of extending the contract (what if you want to stay longer then a year…?);
• Quality of customer service (do they follow up and answer your questions?)
• Refund schedules (how long do they take to refund your claims?).

Price of Insurance

To the subject we have all been waiting for: the price! Obviously we would all be tempted to take the cheapest possible insurance but it would probably beat the expense of the coverage it offers you, and you could regret it! In contrast getting the most expensive insurance will not necessarily mean you get the best coverage. Again the choice is personal and wil depend on your needs and budget. Hence one should compare the different options before making a choice. In general, we do not recommend taking the most expensive, nor the cheapest. To give you an idea of the price, the majority of insurances range from 450 to 550 EUR per year, taking into account that it is possible to select the number months of cover required if necessary.

Popularity of Insurance

As with many products if a health insurance provider is popular this is very often proof of its quality. Because its reputation is not built solely on advertising trust and reputation are good indicators of quality. By browsing different sites, forums or blogs you will find that some insurance companies are mentions often. It is true that most sites and blogs put forward their insurance partners (i.e. sponsored content) but if you compare a few sites and the keep popping up that is a good indicator for quality. To get an even more ‘honest’ opinion, it is best to ask fellow travellers for advice . Keep in mind that everyone will have different experiences and when someone has a bad experience that will be highlighted. We tend to moan when things are not right, but stay silent when everything is fine;-)

If you have started looking at the what different insurance companies offer, you may have noticed that there is a very long list of what the insurance covers. In order not to drown too much in this information, here are the main guarantees on should look for:

• Repatriation assistance;
• Support for medical expenses up to a certain threshold;
• Hospitalisation costs up to a certain threshold;
• Reimbursement of an airline ticket in case of early return;
• Public liability;
• Baggage insurance;
• Accident capital;
• Ambulance costs (you often require a seperate insurance for this in Australia);
• Search/rescue costs.

During your stay you will most certainly be tempted to do some activities. Do make sure your insurance covers said activities beforehand! If you are planning on working, consider that you might require extra insurance for ‘dangerous’ jobs (e.g. construction, fishing, farm work, etc.). Always make sure your insurer covers your planned activities.

Countries covered

Some insurers will only cover costs in the country you are doing your WHV in. Make sure to check which other countries your insurance covers as there is a lot to see close to Australia!

Medicare cover

Consider that if you come from certain countries that Australia agreements with you can be covered by Medicare (The UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Malta, Belgium, Finland and Italy). This means that as long as you maintain your health insurance in your home country you can apply for it when you get to Australia. You will be covered for certain medical expenses. Do note that it does not cover everything. For instance, medical transport costs will not be covered and if you plan on working in Australia you will often find that nothing is covered!

Also consider that it does not cover any travel related damages (such as lost baggage) AND it will not cover you in other countries you visit!

When to take out Travel Insurance?

Before anything else you should ask yourself some questions. When are you going to subscribe? For how how long? Will you only stay in your Working Holiday country? What type of activities are you planning? How are the reimbursements made?

Mostly, if not in all cases, it is most sensible to subscribe before your departure . Your  insurance will be active as soon as you enter the country. You can choose the date you want it to go in effect when purchasing insurance.

The subscription period is specific to the time you want to spend in the country. It can go from 1 to 12 months. You should made sure that – if you think you may want to extend your WHV by a year – your insurance provider allows this! And also that you will be able to extend online if needs be.

What does the insurance include?

We will now review the different types of coverage offered by insurance providers, valuable information for understanding what to take into account!

Medical fees

For example, there are the costs for hospitalisation , (medical) transportation or maternity expenses (not always). Some insurances even offer to pay you a daily allowance in case of a long stay. They also provide coverage for physical consultations , tests and medical examinations.

Some insurers will reimburse you (to some extent) on dental or optical costs.

• Assistance in the event of illness or injury . For example, the conditions for the repatriation of the injured party, the payment of travel expenses for aa relative in the event of hospitalisation and vice versa;
• Travel Assistance deals with the various costs that you might be submitted to during your trip. Such as advance of bail, legal fees or assistance at sea or in the mountains;
• Assistance in case of the event of death . This part is certainly morbid in the literal sense but nevertheless important to consider. For example, in the event of the death of a loved one the insurance can take care of a return trip to allow you to be near your family.

Insurance guarantees

First off all your luggage and your personal belongings . The insurance can pay you in case of delay on the delivery (you might have to buy closes, a new toothbrush, etc.). Or they may pay you a refund in case of theft or partial or total destruction during the trip.

Here we also find the famous personal liability . In short, your insurance will cover you when you are personally liable for personal injury or property damage. For example during a car accident. It is therefore very important to know to what amount your are covered as these amount can get high quickly!

Finally, during your flight (outward or return), the insurance can pay you compensation in case of delay or cancellation .

Exclusions in your contract

This part is very important because it lists all the cases where you will not be covered by your insurance. It is therefore extremely important to take the time to read all these conditions. For example, it is in this section that you will find the list of sports that are not covered (generally extreme sports, bungee jumping, free fall, etc.). Also you will find the various medical expenses that are not reimbursed.

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Home » Oceania » Everything You Need to Know about Working Holidays in Australia | 2024

Everything You Need to Know about Working Holidays in Australia | 2024

Whenever you hear working holiday, you are sure to think of Australia. Everyone knows someone or knows someone who knows someone, who traded in their everyday life for better weather in the land down under!

Australia is famed for its incredible landscapes, awesome wildlife, and epic road trips. The party scene is pretty fun too! It is the ultimate place to experience life like never before, make loads of new friends from all over the globe, and learn about who you are.

You could find yourself road tripping the famous Great Ocean Road, dancing the night away on Bondi Beach, or learning to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef.

If you wanna do all this and more, keep reading to learn how to turn your short holiday into a  working holiday in Australia .

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Taking a Working Holiday in Australia

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If you’re aged between 18 and 30 (35 for some countries) and a citizen of an eligible country, then an Australian working holiday is within your reach! Don’t limit yourself to thinking only students and people taking a gap year in Australia can enjoy the spoils of the country, oh no, if you’re tired of your old 9-5 job back home or just want to change things up, this could be just what the doctor ordered. 

A working holiday is perfect for people who are seeking a long-term vacation, but might not necessarily have the funds to make it happen. You’ll be earning money from your cool new travel job , BUT, you’ll get to spend your days off surfing, skydiving, lounging on the beach, and more! The thought of working while you are on vacation might not seem so appealing, but trust me when I say that if your vacation lasts up to a year or more… who cares?? A trip to Fraser Island for the weekend with your buddies is well worth working a few hours! 

What kind of work am I talking about? Well, opportunities for travelers are in abundance in Australia. You could find yourself doing everything from working behind a bar, working in a ski resort (yes, you read that right!), or working as an au pair. The possibilities are ENDLESS! There are even internships for those of you who wanna bump up your CV for college or just in general, because why not?

Since there are so many work and volunteering options, it might get a bit overwhelming to choose what to do. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Check out these two options…

Go with Worldpackers

Worldpackers is an online company that connects travelers with foreign volunteer hosts who then work in exchange for housing . That being said, Worldpackers does do more than just connect volunteers to hosts. It offers a plethora of additional resources, a great support network, a blogging platform for collaboration, and a whole lot more.

Sounds pretty rad, right? But wait, there’s more!

According to their mission statement, Worldpackers is “ a community based on collaboration and honest relationships that make travel more accessible to those seeking a profound cultural experience. ” They value  environmentalism ,  authenticity ,  growth  and  working together  above all else and make a great effort to provide the best experience possible.

And even better – Broke Backpacker readers get a special discount of $10 ! When you use our special hookup, it makes even more sense to pay. Just use this Worldpackers discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and membership is discounted from $49 a year to $39.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Go with Global Work and Travel

Moving abroad might seem like a big step, but the great news is that agencies exist to streamline the whole process and help you find a job you love. We are all for Global Work and Travel (more on them later), as they are trustworthy, offer a load of assistance when it comes to organizing an Australian working holiday, and will make sure you have the best time possible. 

It’s got a bit of a different approach than Worldpackers, but it offers JUST as many amazing opportunities for travellers.

It provides working holidays, teaching abroad, volunteering, au pair and student internship packages . On top of that, the agency plans, sorts and assists with visa requirements, connections to local businesses, accommodation search and job interviews.

Most products even come with flights and basic medical insurance, a 24/7 Emergency line and payment plans.

Okay, you’re seriously considering uprooting your life and moving to Australia for a while. But what else is there to know? 

It’s not all work and play, there are some admin-type/general things you’ll need to think about before heading out to make sure you have the best time ever. Here are my five easy tips to remember when it comes to working holiday jobs in Australia:

• Getting the correct visa. If you are a citizen of an eligible country and aged between 18-30 (35 for French, Canadian, and Irish citizens), then getting an Australian working holiday visa (WHV) is a brilliant option for those wishing to travel around Australia long-term. You can either apply for a subclass 462 or subclass 417 visa. This may seem complicated, but which subclass you apply for just depends on what country you are from.
• Knowing the duration of your stay. Roughly knowing how long you want to stay is a good idea from a planning perspective. If you only want to stay a couple of months, then maybe a tourist visa is better for you? Additionally, if you plan on extending your WHV for a second or even third year (more on this later), then make sure you don’t have any commitments at home waiting for you. 
• Finding accommodation. As a backpacker’s paradise and extremely popular with travelers, there are plenty of options when it comes to where to stay in Australia . If you find yourself working somewhere remote like a farm or pub in the outback, you might get free or steeply discounted accommodation somewhere nearby. In larger cities, you could try house sitting or consider finding some flatmates through online sites to keep costs low and make awesome friends! 
• Finding the right job. The beauty of having an Australian working holiday visa is if you don’t get it right on the first (or even second or third) try, you can always move on and find something new. That being said, it’s always nice to pick something you’d actually LIKE to do, so take your time in choosing and don’t settle for anything that will make your trip miserable. 
• Exploring during your days off. Australia is over 7 million square kilometers – that’s a whole lotta land to explore! The best way to get around will really depend on you. If you’re in a bit of a squeeze time-wise, then flying around the country is the fastest (albeit most expensive) way to get around. For slow travel , taking the public bus is a great and cheap way to see the country, especially on the east coast. By far the best option, in my opinion, is to get a couple of friends together and either rent or buy a car/campervan. Gumtree is a great place to look for used vehicles and you’ll often find that they’re being sold by other travelers who have done the same as you!

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

As I mentioned earlier, eligibility and even the subclass of your visa will depend on your citizenship. Australia has a working holiday agreement with numerous countries, which I’ll get into in just a mo, but it’s always good to double-check for yourself on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website before your trip to get up-to-date information. 

Under subclass 417, citizens from Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are eligible.

For subclass 462 visas you must be from Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay, or Vietnam to apply.

Other conditions include being aged between 18-30 (35 for French, Canadian, and Irish citizens), having no dependents, and either having enough money to support yourself (around $5,000 AUD), and a booked departure flight OR proof of enough funds to purchase one. Anyone entering the country will also have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or medical exemption certificate. You cannot apply if you have previously entered the country using this visa before (through either subclass 417 or 462).

The fee for an Australian working holiday visa is $495 AUD, and having one allows you to work and live in the country for up to 12 months. However, there is a possibility to extend for up to two more years! To do this, you’ll have to apply for an extension for your second year after having completed three months of specified work . The same applies again to a third-year extension. This is a great way to remain in Australia long-term but bear in mind that some of the specified work is particularly gruelling and the hot weather can make it uncomfortable. Make sure you are physically up to the challenge, and if you’re not, it’s not the end of the world! 

The first step in applying for your visa is to set up an account with the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. Once you’ve done that, simply fill out the application online. You will need to pass a health care pass (usually a chest X-ray and medical exam) and a character assessment. They may also ask you to undertake/provide a background check. 

This all sounds pretty simple, but some of us simply don’t have the time. If that’s the case, consider enlisting the help of Visa First . They can help with all the details while you do the fun part of planning your trip and all the awesome things you wanna do!

Or, if you are wanting to sign up for an all-in programme, Global Work and Travel will handle all the hard bits for you.

Here at The Broke Backpacker, we always recommend that you get some good quality, reliable insurance. This makes sure you don’t get yourself in a sticky situation should anything go wrong. We are BIG fans of WorldNomads and just LOVE their easy-to-navigate website, their 24/7 emergency assistance, and the range of activities covered by their policies! Scuba diving? Check. Surfing? Check. Sky-diving? Check. It covers just about EVERYTHING that a traveler needs.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Right, time to get down to business. How much money do you really need for a working holiday in Australia? As you read earlier you’ll need $5,000 AUD, and a round trip ticket or enough money for a departure ticket to apply for a visa. This sounds like a load of cash, but Australia can be expensive, and depending on what you want to do, you could find yourself eating into that pretty quick. 

If you choose to live somewhere more urban, like eating out, and love going for trips away, then your holiday is going to be more costly. For example, rent in a shared house, transport, food, and activities in Sydney could cost you around $1,500 AUD a month (on a budget) but on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, you’ll be paying closer to $1,000 AUD. If you prefer to live alone, expect your cost of living to be much higher. 

In far-out rural areas, expect the cost of rent to be way lower. If you’re working in the middle of nowhere, often your employer will give you free accommodation, or you can stay at a nearby hostel for a really good price.

One of the great things about Australia is that while it can be a little expensive, especially compared to countries in SE Asia for example, the minimum wage is high! Even when working in a cafe or restaurant, you can still make enough money to live a good life and explore the country!

With an Australian working holiday visa, you can do all kinds of work – be it part-time, full-time, or even casually! Some of the most popular types of jobs for holders of a WHV in restaurants, bars, and hotels, in retail and sales, and as seasonal farmworkers (for those trying to obtain their second or third-year visas). There are limitations as to what kind of work you can do, but if you’re using a second or third-year WHV, you can do any type of work! One thing to note is that you are only permitted to keep a work contract for up to six months with the same company or business. 

Since you’ll be living and working in Australia, you’ll have to do some adulting and sort out your finances. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as turning up, finding a job, and making some sweet cash. You will need to apply for a tax number, which will be required by your employer. You can apply online with the Australian Tax Office . The taxation rate for travelers is a flat rate of 15% on earnings of up to $45,000 AUD. Your employer will automatically deduct this from your paycheck. 

The employer will also pay 9.5% of your pre-tax income into a superannuation scheme A.K.A “super” as part of a retirement savings scheme. The good news is if you leave Australia and plan to never go back, you can access the money via Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). However, you should note that the tax on the DASP scheme is 65%. You will need your visa details and tax number to be able to apply. 

Once you arrive, you are going to need a local bank account. Some banks give you the option to do it online before you arrive, otherwise, go to the bank of your choice and set up an appointment. ANZ bank is a top choice if you plan to move on to New Zealand, as it is also available there. We recommend using an international money transfer service like Wise or Payoneer to get the best rates!

If you’re not one to DIY things, or you’d rather let someone else take the reins so you can relax a little, agencies like Global Work and Travel are the way to go. They not only help you with finding a job, they also offer visa assistance, help you with a bank account, and much more! 

The kinds of things you could end up doing on a working holiday in Australia are working in sales, working in the tourism industry, working as an au pair for a local family, getting a kick-ass internship, the list goes on, and on and on. 

Au Pair in Australia

Not sure what exactly an au pair does? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! They are basically live-in nannies who look after the children, help with the household chores, and can occasionally do some cooking. Being an au pair is a number one choice for anyone who absolutely adores kids, has a lot of patience and would enjoy living with a local family. You will get room and board (YAY free meals), plus a salary of between $200-250 AUD for working a 30 hour week. 

One tough aspect of au pairing is that you may get really attached to the family and struggle saying goodbye. But, this doesn’t stop it from being one of the most rewarding working holiday jobs in Australia. You will be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and will probably learn a load of new skills. Since you’ll be spending a big chunk of your time with your host family, finding people you mesh well with is really important. Not only this, but make sure you’re happy with other aspects of the job, like where you will be located, the age of the children, and what you’ll be expected to do around the house. 

Au pair work is easy to find, either online before you get there using job boards, or even on the ground through online ads or backpacker noticeboards. If you’re not too keen on doing the scouting yourself and/or are worried about the whole process, using an agency like Global Work and Travel is a fantastic way to secure an au pair job in Australia, with some extra security, to put your mind at ease. They will match you up with the perfect family before you arrive, exchange profiles and even host video calls to make sure it’s a good fit. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, GWaT will be there to assist you. 

The GWaT au pair package includes finding you a host family, setting up a pre-family agreement, and even access to an online au pair course so you know roughly what to do on your first day. Their au pairs are expected to work for 25-35 hours a week, earning between $200 – $350 AUD per week. You’ll usually be given two days off a week to explore and meet up with friends. Another awesome thing about this working holiday programme is that they organize meet and greets with other au pairs in the area so you can make friends and share your experiences (LOVE it). 

Their locations are in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. All great locations to base yourself for an amazing Australian adventure. You’ll need to be between 18-35 years old, be a citizen of an eligible country, and have had no criminal convictions in the last five years to apply. Contracts are 6 and 12 months long.  

Interning in Australia

An internship is a 10/10 way to spice up your CV, college application, or just to gain some experience in your chosen industry. Sadly, the world of internships is fiercely competitive, since they are often essential in landing jobs after graduation in most fields (1-3 years of experience for an entry- level job??? Madness). What does this mean for you? It means sending your CV out anywhere and everywhere, and acknowledging that you are competing with locals for these positions so you may not have the best of luck. 

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible though! A good place to look is on career websites, or you could even take a more direct approach and go straight to companies that interest you with your CV. This takes a lot of work, and you may not even be guaranteed to find anything.

A great sure-fire way to secure an internship is to go through an agency or internship operator. Global Work and Travel is one such agency (can you tell that we dig them?) that offers a TOP working holiday internship!

They will assist you in finding a structured internship with one of their many, reputable partner organizations. There are so many fields to choose from, even if you think what you wanna do is so obscure that they couldn’t possibly help you, you should still check them out! From volcanology, forensic science, even game development… these guys can hook you UP.

You’ll be given a dedicated trip coordinator to help answer any queries you may have, assist you with perfecting your CV, give you visa guidance, and more. If the deal wasn’t already sweet enough, you’ll get a four night stay in a hostel anywhere in Australia , on them, so you can check out some of the sights. Following the WHV internship rules, placements are between 3 and 6 months long.  

Work in Australia

Maybe internships or being an au pair isn’t your thing. You actually want to WORK in Australia. This is the most popular way to spend your Australian working holiday (aside from traveling of course!). It is the perfect situation for anyone to be in, you’re somewhere new and exciting, and you’ve got a way to keep the $$$ rolling in. It’s ideal.

Since there is such a huge backpacker culture in Australia, finding an entry to a mid-level job is super easy. Looking for something once you’re on the ground is what most people do, and since you normally* can’t work for the same employer for more than 6 months, you could find yourself job hunting mid-way through your trip. It’s honestly great because you can move to a totally new destination if you’ve grown tired of where you were. Or stick around and try your hand at something completely new! (* The 6 month rule has been relaxed until 31 December 2022 ).

The idea of having to work while you’re on vacation may not be appealing to some, but as I said earlier, it is great for long-term travelers because you can stick around for way longer. Try not to get too caught up with the whole working aspect of things as you will have loads of time during your days off to explore. You could even take a whole month off in between jobs to road trip across Australia if you wanted! 

If you want to have a job secured before you arrive (for peace of mind) then we highly suggest looking at a working holiday programme. I’m going to name-drop one last time (don’t hate me) but Global Work and Travel has a SICK “work in Australia” package. These guys really are top-notch and will have you covered with guaranteed interviews with their partner organizations that pay at least $18.93 AUD/hour. What’s more, when it’s time to move on to another job, you can just tap into their database of partners and score interviews with them too! 

You’ll have a dedicated trip coordinator who will guide you through the whole process and a personal travel concierge to plan your flights, insurance, and add-ons. When you arrive you’ll have a private driver waiting to pick you up plus four nights covered at a top-rated hostel on the Gold Coast, before you move closer to your job.

There’s a tonne of other bonuses too, like passes to a local Australian wildlife sanctuary on the Gold Coast, a day trip to either Byron Bay or the Gold Coast’s spectacular rainforests, even a Great Barrier Reef weekend getaway. You’d be mad not to take them up on this offer!

I’ve already mentioned how easy it is to DIY your Australian working holiday (I know countless people who’ve done it). It is ideal for you adventurous folks out there who don’t mind rocking up to a place with no plan, just a whole lot of flexibility. 

You will be in charge of sorting out your own visa, flights, and bank account, plus make sure you have enough savings in the bank in case you don’t find the right job in the beginning. It’s also a good idea to read up a little on the tax situation so you know roughly how everything works over there.

Due to the huge Australian backpacker culture, you’ll be able to find a job pretty much anywhere there are jobs to be had! You could try to land a job before you arrive by looking online or asking any friends who are already out there if they know of any vacancies. 

For on-the-ground job seeking, there’s a tonne of sites with listings, but even by going door to door to bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. could score you a job. The majority of jobs you’ll find will be minimum wage, but whether you’re a cashier, a barista, or housekeeping in a resort, you’ll earn more than enough to get you by. 

For a different kind of experience, you could look into places that exchange accommodation and possibly meals for your help. If this sounds like a good deal, check out WWOOF, Worldpacker , and Workaway , for some next-level opportunities helping out on organic farms, hostels, and around people’s homes. 

I cannot recommend an Australian working holiday enough. Not only do I know so many people who’ve literally had the time of their lives (kinda jealous tbh), but it’s just the most amazing opportunity to live and work in a different country. You will find yourself in situations that will challenge you, help you to grow, and change you, all while making some lifelong friends and incredible memories. 

Become a certified Aussie, working and living with locals, munching down meat pies and Vegemite like it’s nobody’s business. What’s more, you can use this chance to really SEE Australia. I’m talking about the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Whitsunday Islands, and much more… you’ll have so much time to see and do it all. 

I am positive that whatever you choose, whether it’s DIY-ing your working holiday like a boss or seeking out the help of a trusted agency, this year (or two, or three) will be something that you’ll remember for a long time to come!

Alexandria Zboyovski

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When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Best Student Travel Insurance

Updated: May 15, 2024, 1:44pm

Table of Contents

What does student travel insurance cover, can i tailor my student travel insurance policy, what does student travel insurance exclude, how much does student travel insurance cost, where can i purchase student travel insurance, frequently asked questions (faqs).

While student travel insurance technically doesn’t exist, the good news is Australian students can take out standard travel insurance for much needed cover while away.

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Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Australian students looking for travel insurance, have all the cover options available to them that anyone else would. Common benefits include:

• Emergency medical expenses: covers the cost of treatment should you fall ill, or get injured, while away. There may also be cover for evacuation and repatriation in severe medical cases
• Personal liability: covers you if you injure someone else, or damage someone’s property
• Trip cancellation: pays out should an emergency, such as illness or bereavement, prevent your trip from going ahead
• Baggage and belongings: covers your luggage and personal effects. Look out for a total limit on cover, as well as sub-limits for individual items
• Passport and personal documents: covers the cost of replacing travel documents if lost or stolen
• Personal money: the amount claimable if your money is lost or stolen
• Missed departure: covers the cost of additional accommodation and travel should an emergency cause you to miss your journey
• Travel delay: pays out if your scheduled transport is late by typically a least 12 hours
• Company insolvency: compensates you if your airline or hotel goes bust
• Personal accident: pays out if an injury causes you permanent disability or death.

Each policy offers its own combination of benefits, so it’s vital to check its product disclosure statement (PDS) for a breakdown of exactly what is included, and the cover levels. For instance, you’ll need baggage cover that matches or exceeds the value of the items you’re taking away, while protection for cancellation should cover the cost of your trip.

As a student, you’ll likely want to customise your policy to suit the purpose of your trip, and this is something you can do on most policies. As well as additional cover for gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, your policy will likely offer options for:

Adventure & Activities

Planning an adventure-filled, high-octane trip? Many policies offer cover for medium to high-risk sports and activities, such as trekking, abseiling and bungee jumping, at an extra cost. This comes in addition to the dozens of low-risk activities usually already covered automatically. Each insurer’s risk barometer is different so do check a policy’s PDS, for a list of what is and isn’t covered as standard. Protection for winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, usually comes as separate cover to purchase too.

Work & Volunteering

Perhaps you’re thinking of giving a little back to the locals by working in a paddy field, or you’ve seen an opportunity to earn money by doing a few gigs with your band. A travel insurance policy can cover unpaid and paid work, though the types of jobs covered may differ between insurers. There will also likely be restrictions such as the height at which you can work limited to two storeys and lower.

Short Trips or Long Stays

What’s called ‘single trip’ travel insurance can cover a short getaway of up to around 31 days, but there are also annual policies that cover multiple single trips within the space of 12 months. These save you having to take out cover for each trip, only require one set of paperwork and can sometimes work out cheaper than taking out cover each time you go away. Perhaps most suited to gap year takers is backpacker insurance , which is also known as long-stay or extended-stay insurance. It can cover trips lasting up to six, 12, 18 or 24 months, depending on the insurer. It may also allow you to come home a certain number of times in between travelling, without rendering it invalid.

To make the most out of your travel insurance, remember to take heed of the limitations and restrictions detailed in the PDS. These often are unique to a policy or insurer, so a friend’s could be different.

However, most insurers will not cover trips to destinations where the government has issued a ‘do not travel’ alert. Reasons may include natural disasters, terrorism threats and pandemics. You can find out the status of your destination on the government’s Smartraveller website . It’s best to check the site before purchasing your policy, and again before travelling.

Insurers also often reject claims resulting from disorderly behaviour or intoxication by drink or drugs. If you’re taking part in sports and activities, make sure they are specifically covered in the PDS. There may be restrictions such as needing to wear a helmet, harness or other types of required safety gear, for an insurer to accept any potential related claims you make.

You can choose an insurer’s basic protection with limited benefits, or one of its more comprehensive policies, which should offer a wider range of cover types, and higher cover levels, at a higher cost. Just make sure you have the full amount of protection you need.

The cost of your policy will also depend on factors such as your travel destination, trip duration and any extra forms of cover you may choose to add on. While travel insurers typically don’t offer student discounts, insurance tends to be cheaper for young travellers, as they’re deemed less likely to claim on their policy for expensive medical costs. If you’re still a dependent, and travelling with your family, you may be eligible to be covered under your parents’ policy as some insurers allow this.

A policy’s excess is the set amount you will need to pay on each accepted claim. Rather than an out-of-pocket expense, it’s automatically deducted from a claim amount. In exchange for choosing to pay more in excess, an insurer will typically lower the policy premium, which is the cost of the cover. If you prefer to pay less in excess, your premium will likely be higher.

We ran quotes on the websites of the top three ranking insurers for comprehensive policies based on our research . We used the profile of a 20-year-old travelling to Thailand for 12 months.

Their most basic cover ranged from $776 to $1,493 in price:

Their comprehensive cover ranged from $895 to $2,044 in price:

Travel Insurance Direct and Bupa allows you to choose from several cover levels for trip cancellation on their policies. Allianz only offers this option on its comprehensive policy. Choosing higher cover levels bumps up the cost of the policy.

As most, if not all, travel insurers offer options that suit students on their standard cover, taking out insurance is simply a matter of comparing what they have to offer, and then buying the best policy for you. An easy way to do this is to run quotes on each insurer’s website.

You will need to enter details such as your age, travel destination(s), and trip duration. You will then be able to check the policies each insurer offers to suit your requirements. You may be able to add extra cover, such as for winter sports or gadgets, when entering your details, or after choosing a quote. Once you’ve decided on a policy you can pay for it online.

Does student travel insurance cover illness?

Emergency medical cover is a vital component of travel insurance, covering the cost of treatment for illness and injury you may experience while away.

This cover is crucial for many when travelling as Medicare isn’t available in other countries, and even when a country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, there may be exclusions to what it covers including repatriation costs. Without emergency medical cover, you would have to find another way to cover these expenses that can easily reach into the thousands of dollars.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

Insurers class a pre-existing medical condition as any condition you’ve had from before taking out a policy with them.

Only some insurers cover such conditions, and those that do often charge more for the benefit. You can check if a policy covers your condition in its PDS. On applying for cover, you will need to declare any conditions you have during the medical screening stage for future related claims to be considered.

How do I find cheap student travel insurance?

To find an inexpensive policy, without sacrificing vital cover, it’s important to shop around for insurance. Compare the types of cover included, as well as the cover levels to avoid paying out on benefits you don’t need. You’ll also need to weigh up the policy price and excess payable on accepted claims.

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I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.

Australian government quietly suspends new working holiday visa applications for Chinese nationals

Nathan Que quit his job in China and waited 10 months for a chance to come to Australia for a once-in-a-lifetime working holiday.

But now he feels "cheated" by the government, along with tens of thousands of other working holiday seekers from China.

Mr Que said many of them had been pondering the same question — "is China being targeted?"

For many young people around the world, a working holiday visa is seen as a precious chance to experience life in Australia.

In 2015, the program opened to 5,000 Chinese applicants annually under a free trade agreement between Australia and China.

The agreement said the program aimed to "increase demand for tourism services and support the development of Australia's tourism sector, particularly in rural Australia".

The demand to come to Australia is there, but according to applicants the chance to obtain a working holiday visa has all but evaporated.

No announcement about visa suspension

According to information on the Department of Home Affairs website, when a country's quota of working holiday visas was close to full, it would be "suspended" and visa applications from its citizens would no longer be taken.

Five countries on the list eligible for the visa have been tagged as suspended: Brazil, China, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey. 

A footnote on China's "suspended" tag in the Home Affairs documents said the suspension was linked to "a high volume of interest".

Out of the suspended countries, only China's annual cap of 5,000 visas is far from being filled.

Altogether, only 406 working holiday visas for new applicants in China have been issued in this financial year, according to Department of Home Affairs records.

It is unclear why applications from China have been suspended when the cap hasn't been hit.

The ABC has sought an explanation from the government.

"There were a couple of countries on the list, but it only stopped [processing] for Chinese applicants. I don't know why," Mr Que said.

"There was no announcement, no communication."

Mr Que said he had wanted to come to Australia for a working holiday after his friend spent a year in Darwin in 2016.

"He told me I would be seeing a different world … and I would be able to meet a lot of people from different parts of the world," Mr Que said.

Angry applicants left in the dark

Lily Li, who's also in China, has been longing for a working holiday in Australia.

She had been waiting for her visa pre-application to be processed.

But last week her application — along with tens of thousands of others according to Chinese media reports — was marked as "expired", she said.

That has left her furious and disappointed, but she is also unsure about what she can do.

For China and other countries where people queue up for a working holiday visa, a pre-application is required.

The next step is meant to be random selection until the quota is met.

Ms Li received a message last year from the Department of Home Affairs, which has been seen by the ABC, saying she would be included in the "next random selection round" and her registration would expire on April 30, 2024.

"Even until the last days before the expiry, people were waiting for miracles," Ms Li said.

The "random selection", however, never happened.

"We'd all been waiting," Ms Li said.

"I mean, if you are not planning to select [applicants], why open the visa?"

She wasn't alone in her anger.

Hundreds of young people have left angry messages on the Australian embassy's official account on Chinese social media Weibo, asking for an explanation.

"You are a liar," read one of the messages.

"Straightforward response is the way to solve problems," another comment said.

People have continued to message the embassy over Weibo asking for answers.

The visa application issues come after the government tried to drum up interest in tourism even further with a $125 million Come and Say G'day campaign launched in late June last year.

It was seen millions of times on Chinese social media.

The Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment.

Additional reporting by  Natasya Salim .

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Australia invites 16m Britons to work 'down under' after extending working holiday visa age limit to 35

From Saturday, 1 July, Australia's long-awaited amendment to its working holiday visa will see the age limit increased to 35 - giving millions of people the chance to realise their dream of starting a new life in Oz.

By Siba Jackson, news reporter

Friday 30 June 2023 13:02, UK

Millions of Britons are being given a chance to work down under after Australia extended its working holiday visa age limit.

A long-awaited amendment coming into force on Saturday, 1 July, will see the work visa offered to people aged 18-35 - a five-year increase on the original limit of 30.

It is the first change to the visa since it was introduced in 1975, under the UK- Australia Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA).

Further changes to the working holiday visa are expected exactly one year later on 1 July, 2024, when Britons will be able to apply to live and work in Australia for up to three years without any specified work requirements.

Are you an NHS worker who has moved to Australia or is thinking of doing so? Share your story with Sky News via Whatsapp or email

The offer is likely to be considered by many young people living in the UK - as new research reveals how 45% of 25 to 34-year-olds regret not taking a gap year when they had the chance.

The data, published by Tourism Australia, the nation's tourist board, also found that almost one in 10 people surveyed believed they were too old to start again.

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Some 43% of people aged 25 to 34 are considering working abroad in the hope of advancing their careers, the figures revealed.

The offer could prove tempting as it emerged the UK jobs market had more candidates going for fewer jobs last month - with wages stagnant and redundancies rising.

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A survey of 400 recruitment and employment consultancies said May saw the biggest spike in jobseekers for the past two-and-a-half years.

Australia, which basks in 2,800 hours of sunshine every year, is an attractive option thanks to having a higher minimum wage than the UK, together with one of the lowest unemployment rates in almost 50 years.

Tourism Australia's regional general manager for UK & Northern Europe, Sally Cope, said the five-year extension would "present a world of openings to young professionals", as well as an "incredible lifestyle", with Australia "ready to welcome them".

In January, Australia announced a review of its entire visa and immigration system after the COVID pandemic left the nation grappling with a shortage of workers.

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Meanwhile in the UK, visa rules in the UK were amended last October to allow farmers to hire foreign poultry workers ahead of Christmas turkey rush.

The president of the National Farmers' Union told Sky News that Brexit and the loss of freedom of movement have contributed to a higher cost for the EU's seasonal workers.

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How to apply for a Working Holiday visa

If spending a year Down Under is on your hit list, here’s how to go about getting an Australian Working Holiday visa (subclass 417).

Working Holiday visa application FAQs

If you’re aged between 18 and 30 (or 18 to 35 in some cases) then you may be. On this page, we’ll give you all the details you need to apply for WHV subclass 417, which is what you need if you hold a valid passport for any of the following countries:

Belgium; Canada; Republic of Cyprus; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders); Republic of Ireland; Italy; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Sweden; Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport); and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

If you hold a passport from Argentina, Austria, Chile, The People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uruguay or Vietnam, you’ll need to apply for a Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462), for which you can  find the details here .

Whether you’re applying for your first or second Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), you need to be aged between 18 and 30 (or 18 to 35 in some cases). To find out which age range applies to you, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

You can still apply for a visa if you are in your final year of age eligibility.

Applying for WHV 417 is a straightforward process. Go online, create an  ImmiAccount  and fill out the details. You’ll need a number of documents on hand to aid in the process, including:

• the pages of your passport showing your name, personal details and passport issue and expiry dates; and
• a copy of your birth certificate showing both parents’ names.

Anyone who can’t provide a birth certificate should provide a copy of the identification pages of one of the following documents:

• a family book showing both your parents’ names;
• government-issued identification; or
• a court-issued document that verifies your identity.

If you’ve ever changed your name, you’ll also need to provide a marriage or divorce certificate, change of name documents from a relevant overseas authority, and documents showing other names you’ve been known by.

You should have copies of your bank account showing you have adequate funds to support yourself (usually the equivalent of AUD $5000), as well as a return air ticket or extra funds to be able to pay for your journey home.

You may be asked to provide character documents, including military records, but someone will contact you if they’re needed.

You need to first to create an  ImmiAccount , which is easy and allows you to save your application at any time and go back to it later if you realise you need extra information or different documents. Set aside a couple of hours to make sure you fill out the form correctly, and add all supporting documentation required.

All documents you attach to your WHV application must be in English. Those that aren’t, have to be supplied with a translation that includes the translator’s details. You’ll need clear, colour scans or photographs of each of these documents. If a document has more than one page, it should be saved as a single file.

Most applications are processed within 14 days, but it can take longer if you don’t fill out the online form correctly or forget to attach the right documents. Once your visa has been granted, you have 12 months to fly to Australia and begin using it.

When you apply for your WHV, you’ll have to pay AUD $635. There may be extra costs relating to health checks, police certificates or biometrics (facial photograph and finger prints). Be sure to check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest information.

If you’re applying for a WHV from a country with a high risk of tuberculosis, you may need to undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray.

Ultimately, you’re responsible for any health debts you run up while you’re visiting Australia. Our public healthcare system, called Medicare, has reciprocal agreements with some countries (Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK) that will cover the costs of care from illness or injury that can’t wait until you return home. 

For visitors from New Zealand and Ireland, non-hospital care is not covered. This reciprocal arrangement only lasts for six months for Italian and Maltese citizens.

Otherwise, you must have sufficient travel or health insurance to cover the costs of illness and accidents while you’re travelling and working.

You should have savings equivalent to AUD $5000 – be prepared to show proof of the money you have in your bank account. On top of your savings, you should have a return air ticket or enough funds to pay for a flight home.

This WHV allows you to stay in Australia for 12 months from the day you enter the country. You can either stay for the entire 12 months or leave and re-enter as many times as you like during that period.

You can apply to stay for an additional year in Australia with an extension on your WHV. For residents of most countries, you must have undertaken at least three months of specified work in approved industries including plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining and construction. To find out how to do it, head to our  hints and tips here .

Note : Tourism Australia is not the Australian government visa granting authority.  The visa granting authority is the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. For up-to-date information, please refer to their website:  https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417 .

The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  Please consult with an Australian qualified immigration lawyer or migration agent if you are seeking legal advice.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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