Why travel insurance is essential for your WHV
As a Working Holiday Visa holder in Australia, you are not entitled to Medicare (Australia's public health system) unless you come from a country with a reciprocal health agreement (UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Italy, Malta). A single GP visit can cost AUD 80–150, and a one-night hospital stay can exceed AUD 5,000.
Beyond healthcare, a good travel insurance policy covers the unexpected: lost or stolen luggage, cancelled flights, and liability if you accidentally damage property — essential when you're constantly moving between hostels, farms and house shares.
Choosing the right insurance before you leave is one of the most important decisions for your WHV. Here's our honest comparison of the best options available to English-speaking Working Holiday makers.
Key criteria to compare
Not all policies are equal. Here's what to check before you sign up:
Medical expenses
Look for unlimited or very high cover (minimum AUD 500,000). Healthcare in Australia is expensive.
Medical evacuation
Non-negotiable. Emergency evacuation from a remote area of Australia can cost over AUD 50,000.
Luggage & personal effects
Check the limit and exclusions. Theft of camera gear or laptops is common in shared accommodation.
Rental property liability
Covers damage you accidentally cause to rental accommodation — crucial when you move frequently.
Adventure activities
Surfing, hiking, scuba diving — make sure your favourite activities aren't excluded.
Excess & waiting periods
A high excess or long waiting period can hurt you in the first days of your trip.
Best travel insurance for the Working Holiday Visa in Australia
World Nomads
Global coverageWorld Nomads is the most trusted travel insurance brand among backpackers and Working Holiday makers worldwide. Backed by major insurers, it covers over 200 activities out of the box — from farm work to scuba diving — and lets you buy or extend your policy online from anywhere in the world, even after you've already left home. Their claims process is fully digital, and their 24/7 emergency assistance team is reachable from the most remote corners of Australia.
- Covers 200+ activities including farm work
- Unlimited emergency medical cover
- Buy or extend online from anywhere
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Digital claims process
- Trusted by backpackers in 100+ countries
Cover-More
Australian specialistCover-More is one of Australia's leading travel insurers, which means they understand the local healthcare system inside out. Their policies are built for long-stay travellers and include unlimited overseas medical cover, 24/7 emergency assistance and a straightforward claims portal. Because they're Australian-based, their assistance team can liaise directly with local hospitals and healthcare providers — a real advantage if you end up needing serious medical care.
- Unlimited overseas medical cover
- 24/7 emergency assistance in Australia
- Direct hospital liaison
- Long-stay traveller policies
- Easy online claims portal
- Leading Australian travel insurer
NIB Travel Insurance
WHV long-stay plansNIB is one of Australia's largest health fund groups, and their travel insurance arm offers dedicated plans for long-stay visitors. Their policies include a hospital cash benefit on top of standard medical cover, which helps offset out-of-pocket costs during recovery. The online claims system is fast and straightforward, and their policies are competitively priced for stays of 6 to 12 months.
- Long-stay plans tailored for WHV holders
- Hospital cash benefit included
- Unlimited medical expenses
- Fast online claims system
- Luggage and personal liability cover
- Backed by one of Australia's largest health funds
1Cover
Budget-friendly option1Cover offers some of the most competitive premiums in the market for travellers under 35. Despite the lower price point, their policies don't cut corners on the essentials: unlimited medical expenses, cancellation cover and luggage protection are all included. Their customer service team is Australia-based, and they have a strong reputation for handling claims quickly and fairly — an important consideration when you're far from home.
- Unlimited medical expenses cover
- Competitive rates for under 35s
- Cancellation and luggage cover included
- Australia-based customer service
- Strong claims reputation
- Simple online application
Practical tips
Buy before you leave
Some policies have a waiting period of 3–7 days. Don't leave it until the night before your flight.
Keep a copy of your policy
Download your certificate and store it in 88mates or your photos. In an emergency, you'll need it immediately.
Save the emergency number
Every insurer has a 24/7 assistance number. Add it to your phone the moment you receive your policy documents.
Check remote area cover
If you're working on a farm or in a remote region, confirm your policy covers evacuation from those areas.