The BEST Travel Insurance for Australia Working Holiday: What You Need + What It Costs

I just finished my first year on a working holiday visa in Australia, and while it was the time of my life, the first few weeks were stressful. Sorting out visas, finding accommodation, and securing farm work, there was a lot to juggle.

One thing I’m really glad I had sorted out before I left was my insurance.

If you’re wondering whether you actually need Travel Insurance for Australia Working Holiday Visa – yes, you do. Australia might be beautiful, but it’s also home to some serious risks like venomous animals, rip tides, and in my case, a normal gym accident. On top of that, healthcare here is expensive. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck with a huge bill if something goes wrong.

I chose SafetyWing because it’s flexible, affordable, and actually designed for travelers doing things like working holidays, not just two-week beach getaways (although it’s great for that as well).

Let me ease your mind. In this article, I’ll break down exactly why travel insurance is so important for your Australia working holiday, what SafetyWing policies cover (and don’t), and why it ended up being the perfect insurance cover for me during my year Down Under.

How I Stay Covered While Traveling Full-Time

I’ve been using SafetyWing for over two years now, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. I use their Nomad Insurance Essential, which is their travel medical insurance, and it’s perfect for my long-term trips and adventures.

SafetyWing has helped me out many times already, and with their amazing online support, everything was always super smooth. They also have Nomad Insurance Complete for even more coverage.

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My Experience with the Best Travel Insurance for Australia Working Holiday

Okay, confession time: up until about three years ago, I never bought travel insurance. And look, if you’re just going overseas for a week and playing it safe, maybe you get away with it. But I was out here full-time traveling, scuba diving in Belize, hiking Machu Picchu, eating everything in Turkey without asking too many questions, and still thinking, eh, I’ll be fine.

My reasoning? I didn’t have any money. Which was true… but also exactly why I should’ve had insurance. If something had happened, I would’ve been fully wrecked—physically and financially.

Thankfully, I’ve grown since then. After a friend had a freak scooter accident in Southeast Asia without coverage, travel insurance officially became a non-negotiable for me.

When I decided to apply for my working holiday visa in Australia, I was already traveling around Asia and using SafetyWing, and that’s honestly one of the reasons I love it so much. It’s global. That means when you’re living in Australia but decide to pop over to Bali for a cheeky week away, you’re still covered.

In Australia, I lived a pretty chill life: working in a café, going to pilates, taking weekend trips along the west coast. But somehow, I ended up using my travel insurance more than ever. First, I burnt my finger making a flat white (classic), and then I tweaked my neck in pilates.

Get this: SafetyWing covered over $800 AUD worth of chiropractor appointments and my x-ray. There was no drama or weird loopholes like insurance in the US. I just uploaded my doctor’s notes and receipts, and the whole process was smooth. Everyone I dealt with was kind, fast, and super helpful.

Since then, I’ve been a full-on SafetyWing hype girl. It’s affordable, it works, and it’s made for people like us out there living life!

The BEST Travel Insurance for Australia Working Holiday: What You Need + What It Costs

Why SafetyWing Works So Well for an Australia Working Holiday

After using SafetyWing throughout my working holiday in Australia (and plenty of travels before that), I can confidently say it’s the best travel insurance I’ve found for long-term trips like this one. Here’s what makes it stand out:

You don’t have to be “home” to sign up: One of the biggest perks? You can start your policy from literally anywhere. I was already traveling through Asia when I applied for my working holiday visa, and I signed up for SafetyWing from a tiny café in Sri Lanka. You don’t need to be in your home country, which is a lifesaver when your travel plans don’t follow a straight line.

Flexible for country hopping: If you’re planning to hop over to Bali, New Zealand, or anywhere else while you’re in Australia (which let’s be real, most of us do), you can easily tweak your insurance policies to provide cover in other countries. It takes two seconds and doesn’t cost a fortune. You’re not locked into one place, it moves with you.

Excellent customer support: I’ve chatted with their support team a few times, and they’re seriously on it. No long phone calls, no outdated forms, it was just quick, helpful responses through their online chat.

Made for working holiday makers: SafetyWing isn’t some outdated policy built for cruise ship tourists. It was literally designed for travelers, digital nomads, and people like us doing working holidays. That means they get how unpredictable long-term travel can be, and the coverage reflects that.

Easy to make a claim: I’ve submitted a few claims now for different things like a doctor visit, a trip cancellation, and every time, it’s been simple. Just upload your documents online, no paperwork, no chasing people for months. It’s all super clear and actually user-friendly.

Great value: For everything it covers, medical, travel delays, and unexpected emergencies, it’s incredibly affordable. Especially if you’re budget-conscious on a WHV, it’s one of those things that’s so worth the money for the peace of mind it gives you.

How Much Does SafetyWing Cost for an Australia Travel Insurance?

One of the best things about SafetyWing is that it’s actually affordable, which is huge when you’re on a working holiday budget and saving every dollar for road trips, rent, and $7 oat lattes.

If you’re between 18–39 years old, the Nomad Insurance Essential plan costs roughly $45–56 USD per 4 weeks. That’s around $10–14 per week, basically cheaper than a bowl from Zambreros.

If you’re after more complete health coverage (like routine doctor visits or more extensive care), they also offer the Nomad Insurance Complete plan, which starts at around $150 USD per 4 weeks.

Personally, I stuck with the Essential plan during my time in Australia. It covers the important stuff like hospital visits, emergency care, accidents, and unexpected medical situations. Unless you’re someone who really wants a more full-coverage safety net, the Essential plan is usually more than enough for working holiday makers.

And let’s be honest, between surfing in WA, hiking through national parks, doing manual work on the farm, or just existing in a place where literally everything can sting or bite you, travel insurance is not the thing you want to skip. SafetyWing is a small cost for peace of mind when you’re living, working, and exploring in Australia.

Plan	Approx. Cost (per 4 weeks)	Best For
Essential	~$45–56 USD	Emergency medical, most travelers
Complete	~$150 USD	Full health coverage, longer stays or more peace of mind

What SafetyWing Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

Travel insurance fine print can be a bit of a headache, so here’s the simplified breakdown of what SafetyWing actually covers, especially relevant if you’re doing a working holiday in Australia.

This is based on their Nomad Insurance Essential plan (the one I used), but they’ve recently started adding optional add-ons, which I’ll explain below.

✅ What’s Covered:

Comprehensive Coverage for medical emergency treatment & hospital stays: If you get sick or injured, your hospital bills are covered, whether it’s a bad flu, a sprained ankle, or something more serious like medical evacuation.
Doctor visits for new issues: So if you catch a weird bug or wake up with mystery back pain, your insurance policy covers for checkups related to that.
Chiropractor, physio & specialist visits: I personally had chiro and an X-ray covered after a Pilates injury. It only included a limited number of sessions, but still saved me over $800 AUD, way better than paying out of pocket.
Emergency dental: Covers things like broken teeth or sudden tooth pain, not routine cleanings or cosmetic stuff.
Travel delays & interruptions: If your trip is delayed or interrupted for a covered reason, they help cover costs.
Lost luggage or stolen items: You’re reimbursed up to a certain limit, which is great for essentials.

🆕 Optional Add-Ons:

SafetyWing now offers additional premium options for:

Electronics: If you’re a digital nomad traveling with laptops, drones, or cameras, you can now upgrade your plan for full electronics coverage. Total game-changer if you’re carrying more than a backpack and a phone.
Adventure & extreme sports: Planning to skydive, scuba dive, or surf some seriously wild waves? You can add adventure sports coverage to your plan for extra peace of mind.

❌ What’s Not Covered:

Routine checkups & preventative care: Regular doctor visits, prescriptions for ongoing conditions, or annual checkups aren’t included in the base plan.
Pre-existing conditions: If you’ve had an issue before your coverage started, it likely won’t be covered, so double-check the policy if you’re unsure. (You can also message them before scheduling an appointment to get clarification on what’s covered.)
Luxury gear (without the add-on): There’s a cap on electronics coverage unless you opt into that add-on. Don’t expect a full payout on your DSLR unless you’ve upgraded your policy.
Super high-risk activities (again, unless you add coverage): Think skydiving, cliff diving, or even Australian Football.

All in all, SafetyWing covered everything I actually needed during my time in Australia and now that they offer more tailored add-ons, it’s even better for long-term travelers, creatives, and WHV adventurers alike.

How to Sign Up for SafetyWing

Signing up for SafetyWing is seriously easy; it takes less than 10 minutes, and you can do it from literally anywhere.

Here’s how to get started:

Go to the SafetyWing website: You can use this link to head straight there
Choose your plan: Most working holiday makers go with the Nomad Insurance Essential plan. You can always add extras later, so no pressure to do it all at once.
Pick your start date: You can start coverage immediately or schedule it to begin on a future date, perfect if you’re still prepping to fly out.
Enter your info & pay: Just basic details like your name, age, and where you’ll be traveling. Payment is month-to-month, so no big upfront cost.

And that’s it, you’re covered!

Once you’re signed up, you’ll get access to your online dashboard where you can download your proof of insurance, manage your policy, file claims, or update your travel destinations anytime.

FAQ: Travel Insurance for Australia Working Holiday

Do you need travel insurance when working in Australia?

Legally, no—travel insurance isn’t a visa requirement for Australia’s working holiday program. But honestly? I highly recommend it. Medical care isn’t free, and if something goes wrong (injury, illness, lost luggage), you’ll be so glad you’re covered.

Is backpacker travel insurance worth it?

Yes! SafetyWing was designed specifically for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads. It covers the stuff that actually matters, without the high cost or confusing fine print.

What insurance do I need for a working holiday in Australia?

You’ll want a flexible policy with strong emergency medical coverage, especially if you’re working in physically demanding jobs or planning adventure travel. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Essential plan is a great fit whether you’re in Australia for two weeks or a full year.

How much is travel insurance to Australia?

It depends on your age and what kind of coverage you choose. For most travelers aged 18–39, SafetyWing costs around $45–56 USD per 4 weeks or a little extra if you add things like extreme sports or electronics.

What’s the best travel insurance for working holiday visa Australia?

In my experience? 100% SafetyWing. It’s affordable, super flexible, and actually made for the way we travel on working holidays.

Final Thoughts on Insurance for Traveling Australia

If you’re still wondering whether you really need travel insurance for your Australia working holiday… you do. I don’t want to be a mom here, but someone has to say it. Accidents happen, even in paradise, and Aussie healthcare isn’t cheap. One unexpected trip to the doctor and the medical expenses could wipe out your farm job savings real quick.

And SafetyWing literally could not make it easier for you to stay covered while on holiday. It’s flexible, affordable, and literally built for travelers and nomads. If you haven’t sorted insurance yet, you can sign up here and take one more thing off your pre-trip to-do list.