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	Bonus Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Bonus Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Finder Award Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Bonus 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	Bonus Get quote
		Manual or hazardous work No cover provided for personal liability while working	Finder AwardBonus 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	Bonus 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	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	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	More info

Note: This information was last updated April 2025

Finder survey: What types of holidays have Australians taken?

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.

Compare travel insurance for your next working holiday

FAQs about Non-Australian residents and travel insurance

• Am I covered by a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)?

  The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) is an agreement with Australia that allows you to receive basic health care under that country's version of Medicare. Participating countries include Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK.

  An RHCA allows you to access free or subsidised medical treatment and prescription medicines. It's not a substitute for travel insurance.

• Can I get travel insurance on a work visa?

  Yes. You can get travel insurance on a work visa. However, make sure it satisfies your visa requirements. It's possible that you will need to take out form of health insurance from the country you are travelling to.

• Do I need travel insurance for a working holiday in Australia?

  Working holiday visa holders in Australia need Overseas Visitor Health Cover to meet their visa requirements, unless they are from an RHCA country. OVHC is not the same as travel insurance.

• What kind of insurance do I need for Working Holiday Visa?

  If you're travelling to Australia, you will need Overseas Visitor Health Cover, unless you are from an RHCA country.

  Australians travelling overseas will need to check the requirements of the country they are going to.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

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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