Australia is a top destination for Indian travellers for its natural beauty, cosmopolitan cities, world-class educational institutions and large Indian communities in major cities. Whether you are visiting Australia for studies or sightseeing, your plans can be disrupted by unforeseen events, such as flight cancellations, accidents, medical emergencies and lost baggage. A good travel insurance Australia plan ensures a safe and fulfilling trip.
Australia makes travel insurance mandatory for certain categories of visas, including student and long-stay visas. To ensure you follow all mandatory visa requirements, check our brief guide on choosing the right travel insurance in Australia. Know the visa requirements and top travel plans to safeguard your trip.
Do You Need Travel Insurance When Visiting Australia?
Travel insurance is not mandatory for standard tourist visas to Australia. However, the Australian Government strongly recommends having at least medical coverage for all visitors, as they cannot access the public facilities of Medicare. Paying for medical treatment out-of-pocket can be very expensive due to high costs of living in the country.
Visa Condition 8501 (having adequate insurance coverage) is sometimes requested for visitor visas of long-duration stays and older applicants. Travel insurance in Australia is also required for working holiday visas, transit visas and temporary work visas. For student visas and student guardian visas, Overseas Health Cover (OHC) of at least AU$1,000,000 per year per person is mandatory.
Visa Requirements for Visiting Australia from India
All visitors, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, must get a visa to enter Australia. You need to get the right type of visa, such as a tourist visa, visitor visa, student and training visa, family or partner visa, or worker’s visa, depending on your reason for travelling. You can apply online via the Australian Department of Home Affairs website or offline by visiting an Australian embassy or consulate.
To apply for an Australian visa, you need the following:
- Passport with at least six months’ validity
- Proof of accommodation, return flight tickets and sufficient funds
- Health declaration and medical records
- Police clearance certificate
- Bank-attested copy of your passbook
- Property ownership and employment documents
- Travel insurance policy documents for certain visa categories
List of Top Australia Travel Insurance Plans for Medical Cover
Here are the top travel insurance plans to Australia you can buy in India for medical cover:
| Name of the Insurance Provider | Travel Insurance Plans Available for Australia | Maximum Medical Cover Offered | Key Medical Benefits |
| TATA AIG | TATA AIG Travel Insurance – International Plus | Unlimited sum insured of up to USD1,000,000 per incident with the Titanium Plus plan | ● Covers hospitalisation, day care, OPD treatments and emergency evacuation
● Cashless treatment at global network hospitals ● No pre-policy medical checkups ● Pre-existing disease cover for life-threatening situations ● 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance |
| IndusInd General Insurance | International Travel Insurance, Annual Multi-Trip Insurance, Senior Citizen Travel Insurance and Student Travel Insurance | US$500,000 under the Platinum Plan | ● Covers medical expenses, transportation and evacuation
● Covers emergency dental treatment ● Worldwide cashless treatment ● No medical checkups required ● Hassle-free claim settlements |
| Niva Bupa | Individual Trip, Family Trip, Student Travel Insurance, Sports & Adventure Plan and Honeymooners Plan | Up to $500,000 of sum insured | ● Covers emergency hospitalisation and medical evacuation
● Road ambulance and emergency OPD coverage ● Daily hospital cash allowance ● No pre-policy medical checkups ● 24/7 emergency assistance |
| Digit Insurance | Individual Travel Insurance, Group Travel Insurance, Corporate Travel Insurance, Family Travel Insurance and Senior Citizen Travel Insurance | Up to US$500,000 | ● Covers treatment costs, evacuation and OPD expenses
● Dental treatment for acute pain or injury ● Option to waive pre-existing disease exclusion ● Smartphone-enabled processes ● 24/7 missed call facility |
| Acko | International Travel Insurance Plan | US$100,000 for hospitalisation and medical evacuation | ● Covers hospitalisation, OPD, physiotherapy and medical evacuation
● Provides worldwide coverage ● 100% paperless plans ● Visa-compliant coverage ● Hassle-free claims |
Final Words
Preparing for a trip to Australia requires careful preparation, from prior hotel and flight booking to passport and visa application. Getting the right travel insurance plan is also necessary to get certain classes of visas, including long-term and family visas. Ensure you buy travel insurance to protect your finances from expensive out-of-pocket medical expenses and unforeseen travel emergencies.
