Inbound travel insurance is for people currently living in another country and want cover while they're in Australia. It can cover you the moment you leave your home, during your trip in Australia, and also your return flight.
It provides cover for medical emergencies while you're in Australia, and it reimburses you for unavoidable trip cancellations and delays as well as lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal items.
Inbound travel insurance vs regular travel insurance
You need to be a resident (or temporary resident such as a visa holder) to get regular travel insurance. An inbound policy is designed for non-residents visiting Australia.
The inclusions are the exact same though. You can get the same comprehensive level of cover as you would with a regular policy – cancellations, medical expenses, alternative transport costs and more.
General conditions for applicants
General eligibility requirements for inbound travel insurance include:
You must be a non-resident of Australia travelling to Australia for a temporary period and then returning to your home country
You generally must be under 70 years of age at the time the policy is issued (age limits vary between insurers)
Your trip must include travel within Australia
You must have purchased cover less than 12 months prior to arriving in Australia
What does inbound travel insurance to Australia cover?
Inbound travel insurance covers more than just your flight to Australia. You also get:
Trip cancellation, delay or curtailment expenses and additional emergency expenses. If you're forced to cancel or rearrange your travel plans due to an unforeseen event, this benefit covers the additional expenses you incur.
Loss, theft or damage of luggage and personal effects. If your luggage is lost or stolen, this provision provides you with a benefit up to the limit listed in the policy document.
Replacement of passports and travel documents. If you lose your passport or your travel documents are stolen, this part of your policy covers you for the replacement costs you incur.
Accidental death and funeral expenses. This cover provides your family with a benefit should you die while overseas and also provides cover for the costs of repatriation of your remains back to your home country.
Personal liability insurance. If while you're in Australia you become liable for damages to a third party, this benefit covers you up to the benefit limit for the costs your libel to pay.
Inbound travel insurance exclusions
Specific exclusions that apply to inbound travel insurance include:
No cover for pre-existing medical conditions unless approved
No cover for snow sports
No provision for suspension of the policy
No medical cover if you are entitled to Australian health benefits
There are also a range of general exclusions that apply to all travel insurance policies, including inbound travel insurance, where no cover is provided in the following circumstances:
Travelling against a doctor’s advice
Travelling to seek medical treatment
Any unapproved pre-existing medical condition
Child birth
Changing your mind about travelling
Self-inflicted injuries
Acting under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Mental illness
HIV or AIDS-related infection or illness
Riot, civil unrest, war or military coup
Malicious or criminal behaviour
Reckless or negligent behaviour
Racing, hunting or participating in unapproved extreme activities
Sailing in international waters
Professional sports
Scuba diving unless licensed or with a licenced instructor
Riding a motorcycle without an appropriate licence
Nuclear weapons or materials
Government intervention or prohibition
Failure to avoid further losses
Financial default of a travel provider
Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts
You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching travel insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
Inbound travel insurance FAQs
Yes, most inbound travel insurance policies can cover your children at no additional cost, so long as they are financially dependent on you and under 25.
Yes. As these policies are designed for travellers coming to Australia on a short term basis, they cover medical treatment. However, if you're from a member country, such as the UK, Italy or Sweden, you will be able to receive medical treatment with the RHCA.
If you're a temporary visa holder and live in Australia, you can usually take out regular travel insurance.
Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 725 Finder guides across topics including:
Is travel insurance really necessary when you’re coming here on a visa? The answer is "yes" and this guide looks at what you need and why you need it when travelling to Australia on a 457 visa.
Are you a non-resident living in Australia and wanting to travel overseas? Don't fret – you can still get travel insurance.
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You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching travel insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.