Travel insurance is not always a visa requirement, but it is strongly recommended. Medical treatment in Australia can be expensive, and insurance helps protect you against unexpected costs during your stay, including accidents, illness and emergency repatriation.
0333 003 3161
Where do you live
All persons to be insured must reside at a permanent address in the United Kingdom.
Can I take out this insurance if I am already travelling?
If you purchase cover after leaving the United Kingdom having started your trip, a 48-hour waiting period applies before your policy becomes active. For cover to be valid, the “Already Travelling” extension must be shown on your Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate. Illness that develops during this 48-hour period will not be covered, as it will be treated as a pre-existing medical condition. However, if you suffer a serious accident during this time, you’ll be covered straight away, provided it is independently witnessed and confirmed by a medical professional.
IMPORTANT
Please be aware that once you’ve started travelling,
the 14-day cooling-off period no longer applies and premiums are non-refundable.
family
family
Definition of a couple
A couple is defined as 2 adults who have been permanently living together at the same address for more than six months, who intend to travel together.
If you do not qualify as a couple, please select individual(s)
Annual Multi-Trip Durations
Annual Multi Trip policies are designed for multiple short holidays leaving from and returning to your home country.
Annual Multi Trip trip limits:
Standard policy - 35 days
Premier policy - 90 days
If you need continuous cover for a year (home visits allowed on policies over 4 months long) select Single Trip or One Way. You can travel around as much as you like, to as many different countries as you like, with a Single Trip or One Way policy.
Important Notice
Important Information
By selecting the "one-way" travel option or traveling without a pre-booked return ticket to your home country, note the following exclusion:
Curtailment, Section D: Return travel expenses to your home country will not be covered in the event of a curtailment claim if you do not have a valid return ticket to your home country.
Trip Type
Select the type of policy most suitable for your needs.
A flexible policy designed for travellers going abroad on a continuous trip, whether short-term or long-term. Suitable for backpacking, long stays and multi-country travel. There is no requirement to hold a return ticket at the time of purchase. Where a policy is longer than four months, temporary return visits to your home country are permitted in line with the policy terms.
Single Trip (IEC Canada):
This option is for travellers going to Canada on an International Experience Canada (IEC) visa (Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op). It is designed to meet IEC insurance requirements and should only be selected if you are travelling on an IEC visa. IEC visas are available to applicants aged 18–35, so this option is intended for travellers within that age range. If you are travelling to Canada but do not meet the IEC age criteria, please select the standard Single Trip option instead.
One Way Trip:
This option is suitable if you are emigrating to a new country where you intend to live permanently, or if you are returning to your home country on a permanent basis. Cover will end upon arrival at your final destination. Please note that there is no cover for emergency return travel expenses if you do not already hold an original return ticket.
Annual Multi-Trip:
This policy covers an unlimited number of trips within a 12-month period of insurance. Each individual trip has a maximum duration depending on the level of cover selected. For Standard policies, the maximum length of any single trip is 35 days, and for Premier policies the maximum length of any single trip is 90 days.
If you are already travelling, it is not possible to purchase an Annual Multi-Trip policy.
Geographical Areas
Europe:
Europe means the continent of Europe West of the Ural Mountains, and includes the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Iceland, Jordan, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Azores and Mediterranean Islands as well as all countries bordering the Mediterranean.
Australia & New Zealand:
a) For any period of cover purchased, a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel will be included.
b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more, a stop-over of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World will be included.
Worldwide excluding North America & Mexico:
(North America means the USA, Canada & Mexico.)
a) For any period of cover purchased, a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel will be included.
b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more, a stop-over of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World will be included.
Worldwide including North America & Mexico:
Worldwide means anywhere in the World including the USA, Canada & Mexico.
To
Automatic Trip Extension
If the Insured Person is prevented from completing their travel before the expiration of this Insurance as stated under the Period of Insurance on the Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate (as applicable) for reasons which are beyond their control, including ill health or failure of public transport, this Insurance will remain in force until completion but not exceeding a further 31 days on a day by day basis, without additional premium.
In the event of an Insured Person being hijacked, cover shall continue whilst the Insured Person is subject to the control of the person(s) or their associates making the hijack during the Period of Insurance of a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of the hijack.
Please ensure you arrange cover for the entire duration of your travel
When should my cover start?
Usually, this should be the date you leave the UK to begin your trip.
If you are not already travelling, eligible Standard and Premier policies also include Cancellation cover from the date you purchase your policy, even if your selected cover start date is later.
So, for example, if you buy your policy today but fly in two months’ time, you would normally select your departure date as the Cover Start Date.
What if I don’t know when I’m coming home?
That’s fine. If you are travelling without a fixed return date, simply enter your best estimate of when you expect your trip to end.
Our Single Trip policies can be extended while you are travelling, subject to the policy terms, so you do not have to return home on the date you originally select. If your plans change, you can extend your cover as you go.
Please note: If you need to claim under the Curtailment section of cover for return travel expenses to your home country, these can only be considered if you had a return journey booked before the circumstances giving rise to the claim.
Policy Duration Error
The maximum allowable policy duration is 731 days. Please adjust your travel dates to proceed.
Where you normally reside
Where do you normally reside? Where do you normally reside?
Please use the drop down box to choose your country of residence. Note we can only insure residents of the United Kingdom.
Can I take out this Insurance if I’m already abroad?
If you are normally a resident of the UK Country and your insurance has run out, you may take out cover online with us. This is on the understanding that nothing has occurred at the time of taking out the cover which has led to a claim or may lead to a potential claim. Note you cannot take out our Multi-Trip Insurance if you are already abroad.
Do you have minimum residency requirements?
No. If you are, for example, a British Passport holder and have right of abode in the UK, we are not concerned as to how many months in the past year you have been in the UK provided at the time of arranging this insurance you have a UK residential address.
Age Restriction Error
We are unable to quote, Please ring our Offices on 0333 0033 161 for further assistance.
What is Australia Backpacker Travel Insurance?
Australia backpacker travel insurance is designed for travellers visiting Australia on extended trips, including Working Holiday Visas. It typically includes cover for emergency medical expenses, flexible travel plans, and options to extend or arrange cover while already travelling.
Trips Up to 2 Years
Cover designed for long stays, gap years and extended travel across Australia.
Working Holiday Visa Friendly
Ideal for WHV travellers planning to live, work and travel across Australia.
Extend Your Cover
Option to extend your policy if your trip lasts longer than planned.
Already Travelling Option
Get cover even if you’ve already left home and started your trip.
70+ Activities Included
70+ activities covered as standard, with optional packs for higher-risk activities such as farm work.
Built for Real Backpacking
Cover for hostels, road trips, campervan travel and independent adventures.
Cancellation & Baggage
Cover
24 hour Emergency
Helpline
Up to £10m Medical
Cover
Claim while you're
Travelling
Australia Backpacker Insurance
Our Australia backpacker travel insurance is designed for Working Holiday Visa travellers and long stays of up to 2 years, with flexible cover for multi-stop trips and changing plans.
From Sydney hostels to campervan road trips and regional work, you’ll have cover built around your journey.
Backpacking across Australia isn’t a typical holiday — it’s months of travel, movement, and new experiences. Whether you’re arriving on a Working Holiday Visa, travelling the East Coast, or planning a long stay, you need travel insurance that fits how you actually travel.
Australia Backpacker FAQ's
Yes. If your plans change, you may be able to extend your policy, allowing you to stay covered for longer. Extensions are subject to policy terms and must be arranged before your current cover expires.
Yes. You can arrange cover after you have left home, although specific terms and waiting periods may apply before full cover begins.
Some types of light manual or volunteer work may be covered when the appropriate activity pack is selected. It’s important to check the policy details to ensure your planned work is included.
Yes. Cover applies while you are travelling between destinations, whether you are moving between cities, taking tours, or travelling independently across the country.
If you require medical treatment, your policy can cover emergency medical expenses, hospital treatment and, if necessary, repatriation. Always contact the emergency assistance team as soon as possible in serious situations.
Yes. Our policies allow temporary return trips home, particularly on longer-duration cover. However, cover is paused while you are back in your home country.
Pre-existing medical conditions are not automatically covered unless declared and accepted. You must disclose any relevant conditions during the application process.
Yes. Cover is included for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal belongings, subject to policy limits and conditions.
Built for Backpacking in Australia
Backpacking trips rarely go exactly to plan — routes change, stays get extended, and opportunities come up along the way.
That’s why our policies are designed to be flexible:
- Extend your cover if your trip lasts longer than expected
- Arrange cover even if you are already travelling (subject to terms)
- Temporary return trips home available on longer policies
- Suitable for multi-stop and independent travel
Working Holiday & Farm Work
If you’re travelling on a Working Holiday Visa, your plans may include regional or casual work.
With the appropriate activity pack, cover can include certain types of light manual or volunteer work, helping you stay protected while gaining experience during your trip.
Stopovers and Flexible Travel
If you’re travelling to Australia from the UK, long-haul flights often include stopovers. Our policies allow for a 48-hour stopover anywhere in the world, which can be extended to up to 7 days on longer trips.
What You’re Covered For
- ✓ Emergency medical expenses and repatriation
- ✓ Cancellation or cutting your trip short on selected levels
- ✓ Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
- ✓ Travel between destinations across Australia
- ✓ Optional gadgets and valuables cover
Big Cat Travel Insurance is a trading name of Flynow.com Ltd (registration No.FRN 1022075) who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You may check this on the Financial Services register at www.fca.org.uk or by contacting them on (0) 800 111 6768. © 2026 Big Cat Travel Insurance Services. All rights reserved.
