Medical-Only Travel Insurance   

Focused medical cover for trips outside Australia 

Simple cover when travelling overseas 

Falling ill or getting injured overseas can be overwhelming, particularly in countries where healthcare is private and treatment costs can be high. In some destinations, medical treatment can be significantly more expensive than you might expect. 

Many Australians choose medical travel insurance to help manage the financial impact of unexpected medical care while abroad. If you’re primarily looking for cover for overseas medical treatment, without extras like trip cancellation or lost luggage, International Medical Only travel insurance offers a simpler option to consider. 

Get an International Medical Only travel insurance quote now

Why overseas medical cover matters for Australians 

While Medicare plays an important role in Australia’s healthcare system, it generally doesn’t cover medical treatment you receive outside Australia. In many countries, healthcare is provided privately, meaning travellers are often required to pay upfront for treatment. 

International Medical Only travel insurance is designed to help protect Australians against unexpected medical costs while overseas, providing essential medical cover for travellers who want a more budget‑focused alternative to comprehensive travel insurance. 

Medical and evacuation cover includes 

• Overseas medical treatment and hospital care 
• Doctors’ visits and prescribed medication
• Specialist treatment
• Medical transport and evacuation
• 24‑hour emergency assistance
• Support from qualified medical advisers
• Guarantees for medical expenses and assistance contacting family 

This policy includes cover for medical treatment and evacuation overseas, subject to the terms and conditions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

Please note: This table is a summary of the International Medical Only travel insurance policy benefits and shows the maximum cover for each person (unless cover otherwise stated). The excess you select applies per unexpected event (unless otherwise stated).

This page provides a summary of the key terms only. As with all insurance policies, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the International Medical Only Financial Services Guide and the Product Disclosure Statement.

Designed for Australian travellers who only need medical insurance overseas  

International Medical Only travel insurance is designed for the budget‑conscious Australian traveller who wants cover for medical expenses overseas, without paying for wider travel insurance benefits they may not need. 

This policy may suit travellers who: 

• Want medical expenses cover only 
• Don’t require cancellation or baggage cover 
• Don’t need cover for non-medical travel issues  
• Prefer a lower-cost travel insurance option  

Eligibility criteria apply, and it’s important to check whether this policy matches your circumstances before purchasing. 

What isn’t covered by this policy 

International Medical Only travel insurance focuses specifically on unexpected medical costs overseas and it doesn’t provide cover for every travel‑related risk. 

Some key exclusions include: 

• Trip changes and cancellations 
• Lost, stolen or damaged personal items 
• Total permanent disablement and loss of income benefits 
• Rental vehicle excess 

Full details of exclusions, conditions and limits are outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

If you’re looking for broader travel insurance cover, our International Comprehensive travel insurance may be a better fit. 

International Comprehensive includes cover for a wider range of travel situations, such as cancelling or changing your trip before you leave, baggage and personal items, and certain changes to your journey once you’re overseas. 

How your excess and premium work 

Your excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim if something goes wrong. The excess you choose applies each time you claim for an unexpected event, unless the Product Disclosure Statement says otherwise. 

When you buy your policy, you can choose the excess that best suits you: 

• $0 excess – you won’t have to pay an excess if you make a claim, but your premium will be higher 
• $100 excess – a balance between upfront cost and potential claim cost
• $200 excess – the lowest premium option, but you’ll pay more if you need to claim 

Choosing a higher excess generally lowers your premium, helping keep the cost of your policy down. Choosing a lower excess means you’ll pay less out of pocket if you need to make a claim. 

If you don’t make a selection when purchasing, the default excess is $200. 

Trusted by travellers for decades 

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has supported more than 6 million travellers worldwide* and has been helping people manage the unexpected while travelling overseas for over 17 years. 

Our experience assisting Australians abroad means you can rely on practical support when it matters most. 

Important information 

This page provides a summary of the International Medical Only policy. Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, excesses and sub‑limits apply. 

Before purchasing, we recommend reading the International Medical Only Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this policy is right for you. 

Get an International Medical Only travel insurance quote now

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Does Medicare provide cover for medical treatment overseas? 

Medicare does not usually pay for medical care received outside Australia. If you need treatment while travelling overseas, you may be required to cover those costs yourself. International Medical Only travel insurance is designed to help with overseas medical treatment and medical evacuation, in line with the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

What type of medical cover is included with International Medical Only travel insurance? 

International Medical Only travel insurance provides cover for a range of overseas medical needs, including hospital treatment, doctor visits, prescribed medication, specialist care and medical evacuation. The policy also gives you access to 24‑hour emergency assistance. All cover is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions outlined in the PDS. 

Is International Medical Only the right choice if I only need medical cover? 

This policy is intended for Australian travellers who want insurance focused on overseas medical expenses only. It does not include benefits such as trip changes or cancellation, baggage cover or other non‑medical travel features. Before purchasing, it’s important to review the eligibility criteria and PDS to ensure the policy meets your needs. 

When does cover begin under International Medical Only travel insurance? 

Cover can begin from the date your policy is issued for eligible medical events that occur while you are travelling overseas. Conditions, limits and exclusions apply, so you should check the PDS for full details about when cover starts and how it works. 

How does the excess apply on this policy? 

An excess is the amount you agree to contribute towards a claim. For International Medical Only travel insurance, the excess generally applies per claimable event, unless the PDS states otherwise. The excess option you choose can influence both the cost of your premium and how much you pay if you make a claim. 

Does International Medical Only cover medical expenses within Australia? 

No. This policy does not provide cover for medical or hospital treatment received in Australia. It is specifically designed to cover medical expenses incurred while travelling overseas. 

Is cruise travel covered under International Medical Only? 

Medical or hospital costs that arise while you are on a cruise are not covered under this policy. For full details, refer to the PDS. If you’re planning to travel on a cruise, International Comprehensive travel insurance offers the option to add cruise cover. 

What you need to know

This page includes some information about our products but, as with all insurance policies, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the relevant Financial Services Guide (FSG), Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) to ensure our travel insurance products are right for you.  

You can find the relevant documents here: International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, International Medical Only, Working Overseas, Domestic.