Working holiday travel insurance

Comparison of travel insurance brands that cover working overseas

Brand	Is working overseas covered?	What type of work is not covered?	Apply
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	More info
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	More info
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	More info
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	More info

Note: This information was last updated April 2025

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What does working holiday travel insurance cover?

While it will depend on your insurer, you can find cover for:

• Non-manual work. This can be paid or unpaid includes professions such as clerical duties, teaching and childcare.
• Manual work. Some policies offer cover for paid or volunteer work in industries such as maintenance, general farm work, retail and hospitality. If your profession is going to require you working at heights, make sure that it is included in the policy.
• Guide work. This include work as guide or instructor for activities such as skiing or surfing. Make sure that the activity is covered by the policy.

List of work that is generally covered by travel insurance

What don't working holiday travel insurance policies cover?

Just like what you are covered for, what you aren't covered for will vary from insurer to insurer. However, conditions that you should be aware of may include:

• Personal liability. While you will have cover for personal liability when travelling as part of most travel insurance policies, this benefit does not cover you while you’re working.
• Working at heights. Generally working heights of five metres or higher above ground is prohibited.
• Offshore. Most travel insurance policies will exclude cover if your overseas work will be offshore.
• Working underground. Generally there is no cover for working underground in mines or caves.

Working holiday travel insurance general exclusions

The general exclusions, or circumstances in which cover will not apply, are the same for working holiday travel insurance as for normal travel insurance policies. These include:

• Theft of unattended luggage. If you are deemed to have been negligent in the supervision of your belongings.
• Irresponsible behaviour. Reckless behaviour or acts committed under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Non-disclosure. Claims arising from circumstances of which you had prior knowledge and failed to disclose to the insurer.
• Illegal behaviour. Breaking of government prohibitions or regulations, including visa requirements.
• Actions by a government authority. Claims resulting from foreign government confiscation, detention or destruction.
• Self-harm. This includes suicide or attempted suicide.
• Pre-existing medical conditions. If you claim is related to a medical condition that was already affecting you prior to your departing on your trip.
• Adventure activities. Pastimes such as such as skiing, rock climbing, skydiving or hang gliding, unless included in the policy.
• Scuba diving. Underwater diving, unless you hold a current licence or are with a licensed instructor.
• Flying. Any form of air travel not in a licensed passenger aircraft.

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Working holiday travel insurance FAQs

• What is considered manual or hazardous work by travel insurers?

  Manual or hazardous work generally refers to jobs that involve physical labour or a higher risk of injury than typical office work. This can include construction, mining, working with heavy machinery or working at significant heights. Insurers usually define these terms in their Product Disclosure Statement, so always check your specific policy.

• How long can I be covered for on a working holiday policy?

  Many Australian insurers can cover you for a working holiday for up to a year or longer. The maximum duration can vary between providers. If you plan to stay longer than a year, you may need to look for a specialist policy or extend your existing cover.

• Is there an age limit for obtaining working holiday travel insurance?

  Yes, many working holiday travel insurance policies have age limits, often aligning with the eligibility criteria for working holiday visas, which can be up to 30 or 35 years old depending on the destination. Always check with individual insurers, as some may offer cover for older travellers with specific conditions.

• Does travel insurance cover medical expenses if I am injured while working overseas?

  Your travel insurance may cover medical expenses if you are injured while working overseas, provided your work is not classified as manual or hazardous and is covered by your policy. However, you will not be covered for personal liability if you are injured while performing your job. Always review your policy's Product Disclosure Statement to understand what work-related injuries are covered or excluded.

• Can I buy working holiday travel insurance if I am already overseas?

  Some insurers offer policies that can be purchased after you have already departed Australia for your working holiday. However, these policies often come with a waiting period before cover begins and may have specific conditions or higher premiums. It is always best to arrange your travel insurance before you leave.

• Does working holiday travel insurance provide personal liability cover for incidents that occur while I am working?

  Generally, working holiday travel insurance does not provide personal liability cover for incidents that occur while you are performing work duties. While policies usually include personal liability for travel-related incidents, this exclusion applies specifically to your employment. Your employer overseas may provide separate liability cover.

• Do I need to declare every job I do on my working holiday?

  You should always declare the general nature of the work you intend to do when you purchase your policy. If you change jobs or undertake different types of work during your working holiday, especially if it is manual or hazardous, you should contact your insurer to ensure your cover remains valid or to make necessary adjustments.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

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Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

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Gary Ross has written 554 Finder guides across topics including:

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