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Australians involved in emergencies while overseas – whether they’re a victim of robbery or other crime, natural disasters, terrorism, may be eligible for emergency assistance.
Help may be provided by the Australian government and through the emergency cover on your travel insurance policy. This guide explains what kind of government assistance you can access while overseas, and what you should also look for in a travel insurance policy.
There are three main types of help you can get from the Australian government while overseas:
It is worth familiarising yourself with the assistance that is available from consulate and embassy services before leaving for your trip.
The disaster recovery and terrorism compensation programs provide specific assistance in collaboration with local emergency services and authorities.
The map below shows the locations of Australian embassies throughout the world. Embassies can provide assistance in a range of circumstances you may face overseas. If there is no Australian embassy in the country you are travelling in, there will usually be an alternative embassy to provide assistance. For example, there is no Australian embassy in Cuba so the Canadian embassy provides support to travelling Australians.
In some situations, such as when someone is an Australian resident but not a citizen, or was behaving unreasonably despite not actually violating local laws, the help available may be further limited.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) program can pay benefits to eligible Australian residents who have been adversely affected by a major disaster, whether natural or not, either in Australia or overseas.
The minister for justice must first classify an event as a major disaster, based on the number of individuals affected and how unusual it was. Eligible Australians who have been affected by it may then claim benefits, typically as a one-off, but also in instalments in some cases. Eligible Australians are those who:
Eligible Australians affected by major terrorist acts overseas may be eligible for lump-sum compensation payments of up to $75,000, depending on whether they personally suffered loss in the attack or if someone close to them did. Basic eligibility requirements are:
You will also need proof of identity and relevant medical and other documentation to support your claim.
For access to more practical and immediate help while overseas you may need to get in touch with your travel insurance provider instead of the Australian embassy.
All travel insurers should offer a 24-hour, 7-day worldwide helpline.
The main forms of help offered by travel insurance can be found in the policy. Basic travel insurance policies can offer an unlimited level of cover for emergency medical expenses while overseas, including medical repatriation and evacuation, additional expenses including surgery and operating theatre fees, and other costs.
The Australian government specifically advises all travellers to choose travel insurance that includes cover for medical expenses and ideally personal liability as well, because they will not otherwise be covered.
Many travel insurance brands operate emergency assistance programs to help travellers in other ways. It can be a good idea to confirm that your insurer is able to offer key benefits, including:
Typically, you must contact your travel insurance assistance team if you need hospital treatments or know you’ll be making a substantial claim.
You should get in touch with the Australian government through an Australian embassy or consulate if you require any of the services they provide, or are otherwise unsure of where to turn.
You should contact your insurer in the event of any claim, but make a point of contacting them as soon as you are able in the event of:
This will depend on the nature of the emergency.
When you’re not sure where else to turn, the Australian government Help Me tool could assist in directing what your next steps should be.
If you have any insurance claim-related questions, or are unsure of what your next steps are, contact your travel insurance provider’s helpline.
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