What insurance is needed for Australia?

walkbh00

So I am going to Australia in a couple of weeks. I have a years visa but will also be looking to stay out there for longer (either by extending my visa by another year or by work sponsorship). I will be working throughout my time but not sure whether this will be long term or lots of casual work. I know I am going to need travel insurance but I have heard that British citizens can get medical cover through Medicare when you arrive. Is this true?

I will be spending most of my time in Melbourne living with an Australian friend. Does this mean I get covered through his insurance or would I also have to get some sort of contents insurance?

If any one out there can give me a run down of what insurance is needed and the cheapest option that would be great!

Thanks for your help!

huckster

You would need a backpackers type Travel Insurance. STA have been doing this for years and have branches in Aus.

As for Medicare, I think they have an agreement with UK, but I am not sure how this works. I don't think you can join the official Australian healthcare system and you should take out private cover which you will have via the Travel Insurance.

As for personal possessions, again covered by Travel Insurance up to a certain amount. The person you are staying with may be able to cover visitors personal effects, but they would need to check with their Contents Insurance provider.

In future, make sure you arrange Travel Insurance as soon as you book any trip, so you have cancellation cover to cover the cost of the arranged trip, should you have not been able to go.

Parking_Trouble

My son went to Oz on a working holiday Visa last October. Still out there and loving it.

I took out a 1 year single trip travel policy with LV= (Liverpool Victoria) for him. You cannot extend it beyond 1 year. It was good value and gave the level of cover required. Lots of others out there. STA popular as Huckster says.

If working check the restrictions on the jobs you can do without invalidating your insurance. Working with construction or farming machinery is usually excluded. Likewise with certain sports and pastimes you need to check if you are covered. Anything involving alcohol invalidates your cover (great for young backpackers!)

There is a reciprocal agreement between NHS and Medicare. You will get free "Medically Necessary Treatment". You can sign up when you arrive or claim costs back later. Some doctors charge and you claim back. Others claim for you.
Read this.
https://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/uk.shtml

Dumbe

If you are staying for a short period of time then your best bet is backpackers type travel insurance ( lv max 1 year, sta etc.. As other posters have said)

But if you are planning to stay two years or have work sponsorship i am guessing you intend to work full time, then you may be better off with an onshore ..temporary residents private medical insurance ( most Australians have private medical cover as the tax system penalizes you for not having medical insurance- called Medicare levy surcharge)

This will also cover you for dentists , opticians etc up to certain limits.

There are a lot of medical insurance companies all closely regulated by the government ( and the premiums also attract a government subsidy if you are working which backpackers offshore purchased travel insurance won't qualify for)



Try NAB, medibank or bupa.com.au or Just google temporary resident health cover from the google.com.au.

Dumbe

Sorry missed the contents insurance question and being covered on your Australian friends cover

The answer would depend on his contents insurer .. Different companies will have different viewpoints .. Best bet is to ask him who his insurer is and download the policy document or call them..


If you intend to drive ( not sure where in Melbourne you are going to be but some of the suburbs you may need a car) then also check the RTA website for info on car insurance and driving in aus .. Once you are resident for over 6 months you will need to go to an rta office and get a 1 year temporary residents driving licence (arround $50) as you can only drive on your uk licence for 6 months ( no test except eyesight if you show them your uk license and you keep your uk licience)

walkbh00

Hi everyone,

Sorry it has taken forever to get back to you but thanks very much for all the knowledge and suggestions. I have decided to go with Holidaysafe (recommended on the main insurance page). It is remarkably cheaper than some of the others and seems to cover everything.

We will wait to see if it is the correct choice but hopefully it wont be necessary to make any claims!

Thanks again everybody.:D