Travel Insurance Australia

Australia is a continent that encompasses many countries and is the 9^th least populated country in the world. The continent is located between the South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It is one of the most popular destinations with travelers. It is known as a major camping, backpacking, diving and road trip destination.

Whether you are in Kakadu National Park tracing the outlines of 20 thousand years old rock art, admiring the iconic sites of Sydney Harbour, floating in the azure waters of Rottnest Island: you are on Indigenous Land. Sydney will mesmerize you with its bustling neighborhoods and its natural beauty. Whereas, Hobart strikes a chord with its contemporary art and its gothic history.

A trip to Australia can also be unpredictable when it comes to travel perils. Especially, if you plan to take up adventure sports or a wildlife safari. Also, the country is prone to dust storms, bushfires and there is also a risk of tropical storms. These are a few perils that you may be exposed to on the Aussie island.

Taking the risks into consideration, it is recommended for you to safeguard your trip with a comprehensive Australia travel insurance plan. You can also compare various international travel insurance plans online before making the purchase.

Fast Facts about Australia

Entry Essentials to Australia

You need a VISA if you are traveling to Australia regardless of your purpose of visit. Luckily, Australia has one of the most advanced visa system and a number of well-established visa application pathways.

Visitors between the age group of 18 and 30 years who have an Australian Working Holiday Visa can work and travel for up to 12 months. You can easily apply for ETA visas as they are instantly processed and are electronically linked to your passport.

Types of Australian Visa

Depending on your purpose of visit you can apply for a specific visa. The various types of visas are listed below:

• Skilled Visa
• Working Holiday Visa
• Family Visa
• Resident Return Visa for Australia
• Travel Visa to Australia

Documents Required for Australian Visa

Documentation is important for every VISA application. And we have elucidated below some of the documents that you would require to initiate your VISA application:

Tourist Visa Requirements

• Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of travel. If there are any old passports, they have to be submitted as well.
• Xerox of a passport with a notary on all the passport pages
• PAN card and Aadhaar Card copy
• Past 3 years’ Form 16/Income Tax Returns
• Visa application form ( duly signed and filled)
• 2 passport size photographs with white background and matte finish
• Cover letter with passport details, travel details, etc. on the company’s letterhead
• Hotel/accommodation proof in Australia
• Retirement Proof ( as per the case)
• 6 months bank statement in original
• Return flight/itinerary proof
• Financial document proof such as fixed deposits, mutual funds, property documents, PPF, NSC, etc.
• Original leave letter on the company’s letterhead
• Past 3 months’ salary slip for employed
• For self-employed applicants, a copy of the company’s registration proof is required
• For students, ID card/NOC/bonafide letter from the respective school or college
• Children below 18 years need to provide a notarized NOC from any of the parents to approve their trip to Australia along with their parents’ passports.

Australian Business Visa Requirements

If you are traveling to Australia for Business purposes then you can apply for a Business visa (subclass 600). You can apply for this visa if you:

• Are Attending meetings, conferences, and negotiations
• Visiting on behalf of a foreign government or an official business
• Visiting on behalf of an overseas entity
• Exploring different business opportunities

Australia Visa Procedure

Australian Visa procedure starts with the submission of the visa application form. You can get the form through third-party vendors or through Australian online portal.

You need to furnish the following information while applying for an Australian Visa:

• Visa application charge
• Visitor Visa Application/Form 1419
• Bank statements
• 2 recent passport sized photographs (45 mm x 35 mm) along with the application
• Booking details for a tourist visa
• Notarized copy of all the pages of your valid passport
• Copies of documents as proof of funds/assets held
• Taxation documents for the past 3 years

All the details can be availed from the Australian online portal. For further queries and details, you can also get the Australian Consulate and Embassy in India.

Australia Travel Insurance

Australia is a land of adventure. It also homes to a huge variety of dangerous animals, such as scorpions and venomous snakes. Therefore, it is safe to protect yourself and your loved ones with an international travel insurance plan for Australia that offers protection to you against emergency hospitalization, before you travel to nature’s trails.

Traveling abroad is thrilling; however, life does not guarantee anything. This is where International travel insurance comes into the picture. It minimizes the distress caused in an emergency situation and comes to the immediate rescue when you are in a foreign land.

In case of emergency hospitalization in Australia, be sure it will drain all your savings. But if you have Australia Travel Insurance cover then you can be sure that you and your loved ones are safe and financially covered.

Most of the International travel insurance plans/Australia travel insurance plans cover the following expense. The limit of compensation varies from one insurer to another. You can compare different plans online and choose one within your budget. Here are some of the general inclusions in an overseas travel insurance policy:

• Medical expenses cover
• Loss of passport cover
• Delay of checked-in baggage
• Trip delay cover
• Cancellation and interruption of the trip
• Missed connections
• Home burglary insurance
• Compassionate visit
• Cashless hospitalization benefit

There are various other benefits that you can buy as an add-on cover with your policy. You can also buy a single or multi-trip travel insurance policy.

Best Time to Visit Australia

It entirely depends upon your budget, interest, and preferences, and most importantly your ideal climate. From December to February, the beaches in Sydney are no less than heaven on Earth between December and February. Also, summer is a great time to hike the Overland Track of Tasmania or to take a dip in the beach.

Most of the travelers prefer to visit Australia during the spring season i.e. between September and November and also during the autumn season between March and May. During these seasons the weather is not too hot and not too cold. During summer and winter breaks the flights are also expensive. So, this is the perfect time to visit Australia.  

Transportation in Australia

Transportation in Australia is sorted. Everything is systematic. And if you have prior knowledge it will be quite easy for you to get around the city. You can travel by bus, use car share, trains and also flights for inter-city travel. Here’s how you can easily get around Australia:

• City Transit: Public bus system in Australia is affordable and reliable. In the bigger, like Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth, you can try trams and subways. The cost of fare is quite less and you can travel around within 3-4 AUD/2-3 USD. 
• Bus: If you are on the east coast, it should be your cheapest option. On the other hand, buses are little expense on the west coast. In Western Australia, it’s often cheaper and easier to fly out.
• Backpacker Bus: There are backpacker bus companies in the country that offer affordable packages. You can try the Oz Experience etc. The bus mostly operates from the east costa and to the center of Australia. For nine days you can get a Sydney to Cairns package starts within 770 AUD to 565 USD, but you will only get one-night accommodation.
• Train: The trains are wonderful to travel across the country, but they are relatively expensive. Between commuter trains, city trams, trans-continental and long-distance trains, you can see the country extensively by rail. 
• Rideshare: If you wish to travel cheap and save money, find some other friends, rent a campervan or car and drive around Australia. This one is highly recommended for budget travelers!

International Airports in Australia

Australia Weather

In Australia, January is the hottest month with and the temperature remains around 28°C. And October is the wettest month of the year with an average annual rainfall of 629 mm. In winters you can witness snow falls in the Australian Alps. And the average temperature during winters remains around 11°C and drops down to 0°C at night.

• Summer: December to February
• Autumn: March to May is autumn
• Winter: June to August
• Spring: September to November

Top Tourist Spots in Australia

If you have got a bucket list, then Australia is a treasure house to experience once-in-a-lifetime activities. Here are some of the top places to be:

• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Freycinet National Park
• Montague Island (Barranguba)
• Kakadu National Park
• Penguin Parade
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Museum in MONA
• North Head National Park in Manly
• Salamanca Place
• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
• Rock Art in Ubirr
• Purnululu National Park
• Bondi Beach
• Murujuga National Park
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
• Sydney Opera House
• Mornington Wilderness Camp
• Cable Beach for Turquoise waters
• Taronga Western Plains Zoo
• Aboriginal Exhibitions Gallery

Shopping Attractions in Australia

Traveling is mostly about shopping and food. When in Australia you can enjoy their multi-cuisine delicacies at some of the best restaurants. Indian food is also available in Australia. Melbourne is popular for shopping. It is the coastal capital of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria. Try out modern Federation Square, which has bars, restaurants, and plazas, by the Yarra River.

• Best Shopping places in Sydney- Queen Victoria Building, Sydney Central Business District, & Pitt Street Mall
• Best Shopping places in Melbourne- Block Arcade, Emporium, Chadstone Shopping Centre
• Best Shopping Places In Brisbane- MacArthur Central, Wintergarden, Brisbane Arcade,
• Best Shopping Places In Adelaide- Adelaide Arcade, Rundle Mall, Adelaide Central Plaza,
• Best Shopping Places In Perth- Carillon city, London Court, and Westfield Carousel

Eating Out in Australia

Years of migration together with the comeback of native ingredients has brought some of the best chefs to the Australian continent.

One popular dish is kangaroo steak along with greens that you can relish at top-end restaurants. You can also go to Alice Springs for a bush tucker tour.

And if you are visiting Tasmania you cannot miss freshly shucked oysters, and also add to your list a Barossa Valley taste tour.

If you are a fan of Asian food, then Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have great food options for you for both dining in and take out. People in Australia love their sushi and dumplings, a pack of dumplings can be purchased in $5 at lunchtime.

And then you can try markets in Australia, such as Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, Paddy’s market in Sydney, and also try Southbank Lifestyle markets during the weekend.

For budget eating, you can try out cheap Australian chains like Go Sushi, Hungry Jacks and Pie Face. There are plenty of backpacker bars and hostels that offer a meal at a price lesser than $6.

Here is a list of popular Indian restaurants in Australia: The Spice Room in Sydney, Eden Garden Indian Cuisine in South Brisbane, Copper Chimney in Canberra, Curry Vault Indian Restaurant & Bar in Melbourne and Manihani Indian Restaurant in Gold Coast.

Also, food trucks in Australia are a popular culture; you can try gourmet sandwiches and burgers from there. Bon Appetit!

Hotels in Australia

There are a number of caravan parks, campsites, and hostels for backpackers. Plenty of options are there for guesthouses and B&BS, but if you want to take it up a notch, you can stay in luxury hotels and serviced apartments. Some of the best hotel accommodations that you can consider are listed below:

• Amora Jamison Hotel
• ibis Melbourne Central
• Pan Pacific Melbourne
• Rydges World Square
• Hume Serviced Apartments
• Comfort Hotel Sydney Airport
• Manta rays Ningaloo Beach Resort
• Palm Royale Cairns Resort
• The Island Gold Coast
• Yering Gorge Cottages
• Margaret River Hideaway & Farmstay
• Platinum City Serviced Apartments

Things to Do in Australia

Australia is an Indigenous land that has a lot of activities and adventure sports in store for its travelers. And if you are not scared of the deep blue sea then you can take a dive into Great Barrier Reef. Along the Great Australian Bight, you can witness the majestic Southern Right Whales.

If you like thrills then you can visit the incredible wildlife parks outside Darwin (Crocodylus Park) and Brisbane (Australia Zoo). You can also go for off-roading on a 4-wheel drive through rocky outcrops, from Uluru to The Kimberley.

If you are a foodie, you can take a foodie road trip around Tasmania, you can take a cruise to see the Kimberley, you can also do island hopping on your private Yacht.
You can also ride a luxury train across the Australian continent. You can also ride the water slides and roller-coasters on the Gold coast.

For an adventure, you can take a deep water dive with white sharks in Port Lincoln, hit the ski slopes and also explore tropical North Queensland. If you love rafting, do try white water rafting in the Franklin River. Well, that’s not the end; you can try many other activities when you get there.

Top Hospitals in Australia

Hospitalization can be expensive in Australia as they have high healthcare standards. So, make sure that your medical cover in your travel insurance policy before traveling to Australia.  Here are some of the best hospitals in Australia for visitors and expats:

• Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower
• The Memorial Hospital, North Adelaide
• The Alfred Hospital Melbourne
• Canterbury Hospital, Sydney
• St Vincents Private Hospital Sydney
• North Shore Private Hospital Sydney
• Liverpool Hospital Sydney
• Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth
• St John Of God Hospital Murdoch, Perth
• Mount Hospital, Perth

Depending on the city you are in, you can easily find a good hospital in your vicinity. And with travel insurance in place, you can save yourself from paying huge medical expenses.

Local Law and Etiquette in Australia

• In Australia, it is not necessary to tip the hotel staff, wait for staff, and cab drivers
• Australian people prefer people who are humble, modest, have a sense of humor and are self- deprecating
• Australians mostly prefer relaxed and casual. A smile and handshake suffices
• People in Australia prefer to use first names in meetings
• Littering is prohibited
• Littering is prohibited in Australia
• While boarding public transport, make sure that you wait for passengers to exit before you get on
• In Australian business settings, they value people who are punctual, straight forward and friendly
• Table manners in Australia are continental

Money Saving Tips

A visit to Australia can be quite expensive. If you are not careful, you will drain all your savings. But do not fret; here are some ways to help you travel within budget when in Australia:

• Get a Phone Plan: You can buy Telstra phone plans or Vodafone plans to get great coverage throughout Australia.
• Car Share: Australia is a big country and it can be expensive to get around Australia as the area is quite big. You can rent a campervan or a car if you are going with friends and you can always split the costs of gas. In Australia, you can always share ride with other travelers through sites like Jayride, Gumtree, or a hostel message board.
• Cook Often: Eating can be a costly affair. The best way to save money is to cook meals if possible. You can try the ALDI, which is the cheapest supermarket in Australia. There are other options like Woolworths and Coles.
• Book a Package Tour: If you book a package through a tour agency or hostel it will cost you much less. There is a myriad of activities that you can do in Australia. This way you can avail great discounts and save hundreds of dollars.
• Look for Free Internet: In Australia, the interest is quite low and expensive. You can always avail free WiFi at McDonalds and Libraries.
• Fill up your water bottle: In Australia, it is safe to drink tap water. You can easily save 2 to 3 AUD for each water bottle from your daily spending.
• Couchsurf: Staying at a hotel can be expensive in Australia. You can try Couchsurfing hosts in Australia. It will serve you two purposes: you will have a place and a host who can take you through places.

Embassy Information                                                    

If you find yourself stuck in an emergency situation in Australia, then you can get in touch with the Indian Embassy in Australia:

Countrywise Travel Insurance Information for Indians

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