Why you need it
Working holiday makers are not covered by Medicare, Australia's public health system. You are personally liable for the full cost of any medical treatment unless you have your own cover. A single hospital visit without insurance can run into the thousands of dollars, so this isn't an optional extra to skip to save money.
Some countries have a reciprocal agreement. A handful of countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia that covers limited essential treatment. Check whether your home country is one of them, but treat it as a supplement to insurance, not a replacement for it.
What a policy should cover
- Emergency medical and hospital treatment for the full length of your stay
- Ambulance cover, which is not automatically included in every state
- Cover for the specific activities you plan, surfing, diving, hiking, or manual farm work, since some policies exclude these by default
- Repatriation cover in a worst-case scenario
- The ability to extend the policy if you decide to stay longer or apply for a second visa
If surfing, diving or farm work are on your plan, check your policy actually covers them.
When to buy it
Before you fly, not after you land. Most policies start cover from the date of purchase or the date you specify, and buying it as part of your pre-departure checklist means you're covered from the moment you leave home, including the flight itself in some policies.
What it typically costs
Cost varies significantly by provider, your age, and the length and level of cover, so get a few quotes rather than assuming one provider is representative. Twelve months of cover is the common baseline, matching the length of a first visa.
Don't assume your credit card covers you. Travel insurance bundled with a credit card is usually built for short holidays, not a 12-month working stay, and often excludes work-related activities entirely. Read the product disclosure statement before relying on it.