Australia international medical insurance and visa guide

April 01, 2019

Australia is a very popular travel destination especially for backpackers and gap-year explorers, but it’s also a remarkable holiday spot. Australia, being a continent as well as a country, is uniquely diverse in landscape, climate, culture and adventure - there is something for everyone to enjoy. The land down under is brimming with magnificent topography such as the Outback, rainforests, untouched islands with glistening white beaches, and of course, the legendary Great Barrier Reef. Australia is also known for its buzzing coastal cities; Sydney’s Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Skywalk are iconic architectural landmarks, and Melbourne is known for its laidback café culture and fantastic food scene. There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit.

To fully enjoy your trip, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:


Visa Information for Australia

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit Australia?    

Yes

You will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country and should have it ready before your journey. You can apply for a range of visas, like tourist and working holiday visas. To do this you will need to go to your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate.

Travel Documents You Will Need:

A valid U.S. passport.

We recommend that all passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration. That is 6 months from that date of your travel departure, and your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping.


Health and Medical Advice
Before jetting off to Australia, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Australia. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital to where you are staying is, in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Australia?

We would highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:

•    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
•    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
•    Influenza
•    Polio
•    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.

Travel Health Updates in Australia

Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring in Australia.

To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.
 

Emergency Contact Information in Australia

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

The Emergency contact number for all services in Australia is 000

The International incident emergency helpline in Australia is:  1300 555 135


Australia Local Laws and Customs

•    Australia has zero tolerance towards illegal drug possession and trafficking and if caught, can lead to lengthy prison sentences and deportation.
•    Australia has strict quarantine rules to keep out pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal and human health. Any questionable items will be inspected and if necessary confiscated and destroyed. Breaches of quarantine regulations can result in large fines.

Safety and Security

Petty Theft and Crime

Australia is generally a safe place. However, like in any other country, popular tourist attractions and cities are subject to being hot pickpocketing zones where thieves will use a variety of methods to try and divert your attention. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas, on public transport and popular tourist areas. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.


U.S. Embassy in Australia
U.S. Embassy Canberra
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (02) 6214-5600

Useful Tips for Australia

Official Languages: English
The majority of Australians (around 75% of the population) speak English as their first language. Australia is also home to a number of aboriginal languages and other international languages, making it a very multicultural country.

Currency: Australian dollar
Before your trip to Australia make sure to exchange enough Australian dollar for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Australian Plug Sockets: Type I
You will need to buy a plug adapter for your appliances and devices. You will also need to buy a voltage converter or transformer as the standard Australian voltage is higher than in the U.S (120 V). Its best to go for a converter which can also alter the frequency as the U.S. frequency rate is 10 Hz higher than in Australia and so may be dangerous to use without a converter.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.