Travel Insurance for Australia
What Canadians need to know before travelling to Australia
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Australia. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Australia like diving, hiking and sandboarding.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Australia offers everything from iconic city sights and beaches to wildlife and natural wonders across its vast, varied landscapes. Drawn by the sunshine, lifestyle and outdoor experiences, it’s no surprise Australia remains a favourite with Canadian travellers. If you’re flying into Sydney, make the most of all the harbourside fun, then keep going. Explore the beaches, towns and cities of the east coast, discover indigenous culture in the Red Centre and venture to the pristine coastlines of Tasmania and Western Australia – all kinds of adventures await. However, even the best-planned trip can take an unexpected turn. Travel insurance may help you navigate it.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Australia Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Australia
Australia more than delivers when it comes to adventure. Dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, take in the views on a Blue Mountains bushwalk, or tackle a multi-day hike in Tasmania’s wilderness. Along the east coast, surf breaks roll into beach towns from Byron Bay to Cairns, while inland, follow red dirt trails through ancient lands. If you want to dial up the excitement, skydive over the Whitsundays, swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef (it’s worth the journey), sandboard on the dunes of Port Stephens or 4WD across Fraser Island (K’gari) – it’s a destination that makes it easy to get your heart rate up.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Australia
Accidents and emergencies
Concerned about Australia’s dangerous animals? No one likes imagining snake bites, shark attacks or jellyfish stings, and you’re unlikely to encounter them on your trip, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance. Had an accident learning to surf? Ate a wallaby burger past its prime and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in Australia, things can happen that mean you have to end your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Trip cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Missing luggage
Nothing gets a trip off to a rocky start quite like arriving in Sydney airport without your bags. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. Keep original receipts for any personal items you buy – like a toothbrush, medication or a change of clothes. The first step is always to report missing luggage to your carrier and check what compensation they may provide.
Tips for travelling to Australia
- Swim between the flags and follow the advice of surf lifeguards – surf conditions can change by the hour
- Leave word with your accommodation about where you’re going if you’re heading off on a hike – finding you will be that much easier if you happen to get lost
- Avoid sunburn with sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing, even on overcast days
- Don’t underestimate the vast distances in Australia when you’re planning your trip – it’s a big country.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Australia. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Australia?
Yes. Canadians need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before travelling to Australia. It’s a quick process via the ETA app, and approval is usually granted within a short time.
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Is Australia safe for tourists?
Australia is generally a very safe destination, with low levels of violent crime. It’s important to be aware of natural risks such as strong ocean currents, wildlife and extreme weather conditions.
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Can I drink tap water in Australia?
Yes, tap water in Australia is safe to drink and of high quality in most cities and towns.
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What is the best time to visit Australia?
Australia’s seasons are opposite to Canada’s. December to February is summer, ideal for beaches, while spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer milder weather for travelling. The best time depends on which regions you plan to visit.
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Can I drive in Australia with a Canadian license?
Yes, you can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s license for stays of up to 3-6 months. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
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How long does it take to travel around Australia?
Australia is vast, and travel times between regions can be long. Domestic flights are common, and many overseas visitors focus on one or two regions rather than trying to see everything in one trip. The Big Lap of Australia, covering over 15,000 km, typically takes 3 to 12 months to complete comfortably by road. Shorter road trips can be a more practical option.
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Do I need travel insurance for Australia?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.