Best Travel Insurance for Australia

Australia is one of the popular destinations that Singaporeans like to travel to for leisure, business or even studies. From its amazing outback to the quirky cafes in the suburbs, Australia is a great place for countless adventures while on a solo trip or when visiting with friends and family. As you start planning for your next vacation there, do remember to get your visa, compare travel insurance coverage, and be insured against any unexpected trip delays/cancellations or natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, before you take off on your Australian getaway!

Travel Requirements To Enter Australia

Australia continues to welcome more tourists, and the latest tourism forecast statistics reveals that Australia is expected to have 9.3 million international visitors in 2024, according to Australia’s Minister for Tourism, Don Farrell.

With the amount of international visitors including tourists to reach 98% of pre-pandemic levels in 2024, we can expect changes in requirements for travellers entering Australia such as changes to age requirements for visitors applying for the Australian Working Holiday visa which has been increased up to the age of 35 for 6 countries out of the total of 46 countries participating in this program.

Travel insurance

Getting travel insurance is not required for most travellers going to Australia, but it is still strongly recommended to be covered with COVID-19 travel insurance if you’re going to Australia for leisure or for business. This is because in situations if you really need medical assistance during your vacation or business trip in Australia, healthcare expenses can be very expensive unlike those in your home country as overseas medical expenses are usually not subsidised by the government.

VISA application

Unless you’re from New Zealand which is the only country on a visa waiver agreement with Australia, you’ll have to apply for a visa via the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system to travel to Australia as a tourist. There are a total of 17 types of visa you can apply for, but if you’re just going there for leisure or business, here are the 5 different visas to consider.

Tourist stream visa

As the name suggests, you’ll be able to visit Australia as a tourist with this visa, to see family and friends or even go on a cruise there. You’ll be granted a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months and this visa will cost you about AUD150.

eVisitor or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa

There’s no cost to these 2 similar types of “multiple-entry” visas, but there may be an application service charge of AUD20. Both types of visas allow you to visit Australia as often as you wish in a 12-month period, however, the ETA has a minor requirement (stay up to 3 months each time you enter Australia). If you wish to stay for more than 3 months, then the eVisitor visa will be a better option.

Transit visa

When you’re transiting in Australia, this visa will be applicable if you’re going to be in Australia for up to 72 hours and not more than that. There’s no cost to this visa as well.

Working Holiday visa

Combining business with leisure on your trip to Australia? This visa is just the right one for travellers who are between 18 to 30 years old (or 35 years old for some countries) and have their first extended holiday in Australia while working here. With effect from 1 July 2023, citizens of the UK, Canada, France, Denmark, Italy and Ireland are eligible to apply for an Australian Working Holiday visa up to the age of 35.

The rest of the 40 countries participating in the program will not experience any changes in the 30 year age restriction for now (as per the latest details retrieved on 8 December 2023 from the Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia). You can even apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa if you meet certain eligibility criteria. The duration for this visa is up to 12 months and it’ll cost you about AUD510.

Business visitor stream visa

Those who are travelling to Australia solely for business purposes will need to apply for this visa which grants up to 3 months of stay and costs AUD150.

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Discover the Great Barrier Reef

Experience the magnificence of one of the planet's most extraordinary natural attractions. Dive or snorkel to immerse yourself in the vivid undersea world of corals and marine life, or take helicopter tours to enjoy breathtaking aerial views, and visit conservation centres to learn about reef preservation.

Explore citylife in Sydney

This city is celebrated for its landmark Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Delight in Sydney's dynamic culture which involves relaxing at Bondi Beach, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, shopping at The Rocks, ferry rides in Sydney Harbour, and tasting diverse cuisines at Darling Harbour.

Journey through the Australian Outback

Embark on an adventure at the Uluru sunrise to stargaze, learn about Aboriginal culture at ancient rock art sites, dance and sleep around campfires, say hello to kangaroos and emus, cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, or go on a cattle drive.

Savour Melbourne's coffee

Melbourne, with its bohemian atmosphere, is the ultimate destination for aficionados of fine coffee and a vibrant arts scene. Some notable coffee spots include Market Lane Coffee for artisan brews, Patricia for standout espresso, and St Ali for innovative blends.

Take on the Tasmanian trails

With its rugged terrain, pristine national parks, and numerous hiking paths, Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural splendour ideal for outdoor expeditions. Highlights include hiking at the Overland Track, a world-renowned 65-kilometre trail and whale watching off the coast of Bicheno, where majestic humpback whales frolic in the ocean. If you prefer indoor activities, MONA, a cutting-edge museum of contemporary art and antiquities is a great place to visit.

Catch some waves on the Gold Coast

Renowned for its extensive sandy shores and prime surf locations, the Gold Coast is a haven for beachgoers and surfing buffs. Bring out the kid in you at theme parks like Warner Bros. Movie World, relax on sun-kissed beaches, hike in the hinterland national parks, experience vibrant nightlife, and visit wildlife sanctuaries to encounter native animals.

Experience Barossa Valley's wineries

Celebrated for its exquisite wines, a visit to South Australia's Barossa Valley is a must for enthusiasts of fine vintages. Renowned wineries include Penfolds featuring its iconic Grange, Yalumba for family-owned heritage wines, Seppeltsfield for century-old tawny, Henschke for exceptional single-vineyard wines, and Château Tanunda for its stunning estate.

Venture into the Daintree Rainforest

As one of the world's oldest rainforests, the Daintree is where you can spot crocodiles on Daintree River cruises, marvel at the unique Cape Tribulation where rainforest meets reef, zip-line through lush canopies, enjoy birdwatching, and relax at serene, secluded beaches.

Witness Australian Wildlife on Kangaroo Island

This is an ideal spot to observe some of Australia's renowned wildlife, such as kangaroos, koalas, and diverse bird species, in their natural surroundings.

Travel along the Great Ocean Road

This picturesque coastal route is very popular among travellers who love road trips in the southeastern coast of Australia as it offers striking views of the ocean, dramatic cliffs, and the famed Twelve Apostles rock formations.

How is travel insurance useful when there are natural disasters or unexpected trip disruptions?

Personal luggage and belongings coverage

While many travel insurance policies typically exclude claims arising from natural disasters, Acts of God, or adverse weather conditions like earthquakes disrupting travel plans, some insurance plans from companies such as Etiqa and DirectAsia offer reimbursements for lost or damaged personal baggage, belongings, as well as compensation for travel delays and trip cancellations caused by such events.

These coverage benefits address the loss of personal baggage or belongings due to circumstances beyond the insured individual's control at the intended destination. It's important to note that reimbursement limits apply per item, set of items (e.g., laptops), or other personal effects, with variations among insurers.

Trip curtailment, cancellation, delay coverage

In cases of trip curtailment or cancellation due to a travel delay, reimbursements typically cover irrecoverable expenses for unused pre-paid transportation and accommodation costs (excluding administrative charges or fees) cancelled within 30 days prior to the scheduled start of your insured trip to Australia.

Medical costs coverage

In the event of injury resulting from an accident indirectly or directly caused by a natural disaster, certain travel insurance plans, like those provided by Etiqa and DirectAsia, may cover overseas medical expenses or even medical costs incurred upon return to Singapore. Compensation can be applicable to the medical facility where treatment was received, either overseas or in Singapore, or to designated beneficiaries. Treatment must commence within a specified number of hours from the return date to Singapore and is subject to predetermined limits outlined in the travel insurance plan, which should be thoroughly reviewed with the insurance provider.

Best Australia Travel Insurance Benefits Coverage

Best for	Travel insurance plan	Estimated premium rate
Best forOverall good value	Travel insurance planBubblegum travel insurance plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $112
Best forBudget travel	Travel insurance planFWD Premium plan	Estimated premium rateFrom $71
Best forFlight diversion/cancellation/postponement	Travel insurance planSinglife Travel Plus and Prestige plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $169 (Singlife Travel Lite is from $117)
Best forOverseas medical coverage	Travel insurance planAllianz travel insurance plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $171
Best forPre-existing conditions	Travel insurance planMSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $189
Best forFamily	Travel insurance planDirectAsia travel insurance plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $84
Best forElderly	Travel insurance planTiq Pre-Ex travel insurance plans by Etiqa	Estimated premium rateFrom $210
Best forTravelling while pregnant	Travel insurance planMSIG TravelEasy Pre-Ex plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $189
Best forExtreme sports	Travel insurance planStarr TraveLead Comprehensive plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $88
Best forCOVID-19 coverage	Travel insurance planAIG Travel Guard plans	Estimated premium rateFrom $140
Best for*Estimated premium rates are based on a 21-day single trip plan to Australia, data last updated in December 2023.	Travel insurance plan

What Is The Average Cost Of Travel Insurance For A Trip To Australia?

Travel insurance provider	Overseas medical expenses	Post-trip medical expenses	Loss/damage of personal baggage	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19	Total premium
Travel insurance providerBubblegum	Overseas medical expenses Up to $150,000	Post-trip medical expensesUp to $10,000	Loss/damage of personal baggageUp to $3,000	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19Up to $5,000	Total premium$112
Travel insurance providerSinglife	Overseas medical expenses Up to $250,000	Post-trip medical expensesUp to $10,000	Loss/damage of personal baggageUp to $3,000	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19Up to $5,000	Total premium$117
Travel insurance providerAllianz	Overseas medical expenses Up to $250,000	Post-trip medical expensesN.A.	Loss/damage of personal baggageUp to $1,500	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19Up to $5,000	Total premium$171
Travel insurance providerStarr	Overseas medical expenses Up to $200,000	Post-trip medical expensesUp to $15,000	Loss/damage of personal baggageUp to $3,000	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19Up to $5,000	Total premium$88
Travel insurance providerDirectAsia	Overseas medical expenses Up to $150,000	Post-trip medical expensesUp to $5,000	Loss/damage of personal baggageUp to $1,000	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19Up to $3,000	Total premium$84
Travel insurance providerFWD	Overseas medical expenses Up to $200,000	Post-trip medical expensesUp to $6,000	Loss/damage of personal baggageUp to $3,000	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19Up to $7,500	Total premium$71
Travel insurance provider*Estimated premium rates are based on a 21-day single trip plan to Australia, and comparing our round-up of the 6 best travel insurance plans with COVID-19 coverage in Singapore, data last updated in December 2023.	Overseas medical expenses	Loss/damage of personal baggage	Trip cancellation due to COVID-19	Total premium

As you compare across the 6 travel insurers’ benefits and premiums, the average cost of a travel insurance plan with COVID-19 coverage for a 3 weeks Australia vacation is about $108, assuming that we take the most basic plan offered by each travel insurance provider.

Estimated average cost of a travel insurance plan:

$112 + $117+ $171 + $88 + $84 + $71 = $643

$643 ÷ 6 = $108

If you’re looking at more cost-efficient plans, perhaps those by FWD, Starr and DirectAsia would be more suitable, especially for Starr as the medical expenses coverage by Starr and FWD are quite extensive with a maximum limit of $200,000, which are among the higher ones as compared to the other 4 travel insurance plans above.

When considering more comprehensive coverage for medical expenses in the situation that you get diagnosed with an unexpected severe illness or injury overseas, Singlife’s Prestige plan offers unlimited coverage and the premium is quite reasonable and lower than other providers like Allianz.

As for claiming benefits for trip cancellation if you’re down with an unexpected severe illness or injury, FWD will provide higher coverage (as compared to the other 5 basic plans) of up to $7,500 for you.

Best time to go to Australia

As the Australian weather is usually the reverse from countries in the Northern hemisphere, their cold winters begin in the middle of the year, around June, and their summers kick off at the end of the year.

Winters in Melbourne tend to be a little more harsh than in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, where it’s usually quite mild. Summer just about everywhere in Australia is very hot, with the temperature shooting over 40 degrees, so get your sunblock lotions and hats ready.

Best travel apps for Australia

Google Maps and Maps.me are must-haves in your itinerary planning as they allow you to download area maps that you can access without Wi-Fi or data.

If you’re up for outdoor adventures, the CamperMate app is a useful app to have as well because you can search for campervan sites and compare the pricing, facilities, read up on reviews and refer to photos of each listing. What’s more, it helps you locate public toilets and petrol stations across Australia and you can list your driveway for campervans to stay overnight.

Renting a car in Australia

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a must only if you’re holding a valid driver's licence for at least 12 months and present it at the time of rental. If your car licence is not written in English, an IDP is required.

It is illegal to drive without an original IDP, and car rental companies in Australia will not rent cars to foreigners who are unable to produce an IDP. Do remember to make sure that your travel insurance provides rental car excess cover as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to have travel insurance when travelling to Australia?

Yes, considering that if you really need medical assistance during your vacation or business trip in Australia, healthcare expenses can be very expensive unlike those in your home country as overseas medical expenses are usually not subsidised by the government.

By having a travel insurance plan, it can provide you claim benefits for overseas medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation & repatriation, trip cancellation/postponement/curtailment/disruption coverage, and more.

How to get a suitable travel insurance plan?

There are a few ways to get your ideal travel insurance plan. You can either get it through your preferred travel insurance mobile app, website or insurance agent. Some travel insurance companies offer COVID-19 coverage as an add-on benefit to an existing plan, while others include COVID-19 coverage benefits in their range of travel insurance plans.