Working Overseas travel insurance for Australians

Living and working overseas from Australia

Spending time living and working overseas is something many Australians plan to do at least once, whether it’s a working holiday or gap year in the UK, Canada or further afield, or a longer stint building skills overseas. It’s an exciting move, and once you’re overseas, having the right cover in place helps you travel with confidence, knowing you’re supported if something unexpected comes up.

That’s where Working Overseas Travel Insurance comes in to support Australians. Our policy is designed specifically for Australians who are temporarily living and working abroad, offering cover designed for longer stays overseas, compared to typical holiday travel insurance.

Unlike a typical holiday policy, this cover is built for real life overseas, not just sightseeing.

Get a Working Overseas quote for Australians

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has supported Australian travellers for over 17 years. In fact, we’ve covered over 6 million travellers worldwide*, supporting people just like you as they head overseas to live, work and explore.

Each of those travellers has trusted us with their journey, and we take that responsibility seriously. Whether you’re working abroad for a few months or settling in for a longer stay, having experienced support behind you can make all the difference.

What is working overseas travel insurance?

If you’re heading overseas from Australia on a working holiday or temporary employment, standard travel insurance may not give you the right level of protection.

A Working Overseas Travel Insurance policy is designed to help cover Australians for common risks while living and working abroad, including:

Overseas medical and hospital expenses
Emergency medical evacuation
Trip cancellation or interruption
Lost or stolen luggage and personal items
Unexpected events that can disrupt longer stays

For Australians working overseas, having appropriate cover is especially important, as you may not be eligible for public healthcare in your destination country and medical costs can add up quickly.

This policy is often chosen by Australians in a range of situations, including:

Heading to the UK on a working holiday visa and taking short trips across Europe
Spending a year in Canada working in a range of roles, including hospitality or retail
Living overseas while working in office‑based or healthcare work
Splitting their time between work and travel before returning to Australia

Cover designed for Australians working abroad

Living overseas is very different from heading off on a short holiday, and your insurance needs to reflect that. Our Working Overseas policy is designed with Australians in mind, whether you’re working casual hospitality jobs, office‑based roles or healthcare work.

Key features of our Working Overseas policy

Subject to the policy’s terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, the policy may include:

Cover for office‑based, education, healthcare and approved manual roles, including retail and hospitality
Comprehensive cover with three excess options:
- $0 excess
- $100 excess
- $200 excess
Medical and Evacuation, cover may include support such as:
- Optical and Emergency dental treatment
- Maternity care
- Physiotherapy, chiropractic and other ancillary services
- Rehabilitation, occupational therapy and mental health support
Changes to Your Journey cover for travel interruption and resuming your trip if you need to return to Australia due to an unexpected event
24/7 worldwide emergency assistance, giving Australians access to medical and emergency support

Our goal is to support you, so you can focus on enjoying your overseas experience with confidence.

Maximum cover

Medical and evacuation

Includes cover for medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment and medical transport costs. Plus 24-hour emergency assistance, support of qualified medical advisers, guarantees for medical expenses and contact with family.

Unlimited cover

Medical treatment

Unlimited

24 hour emergency assistance

Unlimited

Medical evacuation

Unlimited

Medical repatriation

Unlimited

Optical treatment

Including optometrist consultations, spectacles/lenses.

$1,000

Ancillary services

Including acupuncturists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and Chinese medicine.

$2,500

Rehabilitation and occupational therapy

$10,000

Maternity care

For each pregnancy.

$3,000

Mental health

$2,000

Emergency dental treatment

$2,000

Cash allowance while in hospital (after 3 consecutive days)

$100 for each day. For each person.

$3,000

Extra travel and accommodation expenses

Unlimited

Accompanying person

Unlimited

Funeral expenses or return of mortal remains

For each deceased person. No excess applies.

$50,000

Replacement staff

$15,000

Repatriation benefit

$5,000

Directly or indirectly relating to terrorism

$100,000

Cancelling or changing your journey before you leave

Includes cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel costs if your trip is cancelled or changed due to an illness, injury or natural disaster. Plus, cover for additional costs to help you attend a special event including a wedding or sporting event.

$2,500
Options to increase up to Unlimited

Cancelling your journey

$2,500
Options to increase up to Unlimited

Existing conditions of a relevant person

$2,500

Delayed journey to a special event

$2,500

Changes to your journey once you have left

Includes cover for transport, accommodation, meals, activities and tour costs if you cannot reach your next destination on time, or if you need to cut your trip short and return to Australia.

$50,000

Changes once you have left

$50,000

Existing conditions of a relevant person

$2,500

Travel interruption

$30,000

Resuming your journey

$20,000

Cutting your journey short

$50,000

Delayed journey to a special event

$2,500

Baggage and personal items

Cover for lost, stolen or damaged items and help to purchase essential items of clothing and personal effects, if your bags are delayed, misdirected or misplaced for 12 hours or more.

$25,000

Unspecified jewellery and watches

Up to $1,500 for each item, for each person. Depreciation applies.

$2,500

Unspecified mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, tablets, and cameras

Up to $3,000 for each item, for each person. Depreciation applies.

$10,000

Other unspecified items

Up to $1,500 for each item, for each person. Depreciation applies.

$25,000

Optional: Specified items

Up to $10,000 for each item, for each person.

$15,000

Baggage delay

$1,000

Essential medication

$500

Lost, stolen or damaged bank cards, travel documents and passports

For each person

$1,000

Lost or stolen cash

For each person

$500

Personal accident (18-80 years)

Includes financial support for you or your loved ones if you’re injured whilst on your journey.

$50,000

Loss of income

Up to $500 per week. For each injured person. No excess applies.

$6,500

Total permanent disablement

For each injured person. No excess applies.

$50,000

Loss of life

For each deceased person. No excess applies.

$50,000

Personal liability

Cover towards legal liability for damages, compensation and legal expenses.
No excess applies.

$1,000,000

Rental vehicle excess

Payment towards any excess you must pay if the rental vehicle you hired is stolen or damaged.
No excess applies.

$10,000

Moped and motorbike cover

As per relevant section of the policy

Skiing and snowboarding cover

As per relevant section of the policy

Cruise cover

As per relevant section of the policy

This table is a summary of the Working Overseas policy benefits and shows the maximum cover under each benefit for each person (unless otherwise stated). The excess you select applies per unexpected event (unless otherwise stated).

What isn’t covered under a Working Overseas policy

There are limits on the type of work we can cover. We don’t provide cover for professional sports or hazardous work, which includes roles with a higher level of physical risk or danger.

Examples of hazardous work we can’t cover

Aircraft crew or aviation roles
Armed forces or defence roles
Commercial fishing
Structural and steel work
Deep‑sea drilling
Firefighting or emergency response
Logging or forestry
Power line repair
Search and rescue operations
Slaughterhouse or abattoir work
Stunt work or performance roles
Work with wild animals
Working in any type of mine or oil or gas field

This list is not exhaustive. Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.

Personal liability relating to work, occupations, businesses or professions is excluded under Section D.6 of the Product Discolsure Statement.

If you’re unsure whether your role would be classified as ‘Hazardous work’, our team can help. Call 1800 196 484 or email [email protected].

Read the full Product Disclosure Statement

Is Working Overseas cover right for you?

This policy is designed for Australians who are:

Temporarily living and working overseas
On a working holiday visa
Working for part or all of their time overseas

You don’t need to be working full-time while you’re overseas to take out this policy. It’s designed to suit a mix of work and travel.

If you’re only travelling overseas to attend meetings, conferences or short business trips, our International Comprehensive Travel Insurance may be more suitable.

If you’re unsure which policy fits your plans, we’re happy to help before you buy.

Choosing your destinations

Australians living overseas often travel to nearby countries during their stay. Our Working Overseas policy can include cover for leisure trips outside your main country of residence.

It’s important that you list all destinations you plan to visit.

Example: If you’re based in the United Kingdom but planning a short trip to France, you’ll need to make sure France is listed as a destination on your policy. Depending on the destination, an additional premium may apply.

When choosing destinations, Australians should check travel advice on the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website. Cover may not apply for events linked to destinations with a “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Your Need to Travel” advisory.

What if your plans change?

Life overseas doesn’t always go to plan. If your circumstances change, whether that’s moving countries, extending your stay or returning to Australia temporarily, get in touch with us so your policy stays up to date. Keeping your policy current helps ensure you remain covered while living and working abroad.

You can contact us:

[email protected]
+61 1800 196 484 (from overseas)

We’re available via email and phone Monday to Sunday, 8.30am to 7pm, excluding public holidays.

Our Emergency Assistance team is available 24/7 if you need urgent medical support while overseas.

Ready to get cover sorted?

If you’re heading overseas from Australia to live and work, make sure your travel insurance is set up for the reality of overseas life.

When you’re heading overseas to live and work, experience and support matter. With decades of experience and millions of travellers covered worldwide, SCTI is trusted by Australians to provide dependable travel insurance for life overseas.

Get a Working Overseas Travel Insurance quote for Australians today