Travel Planning

Travel & Health Advice

It is essential that you are aware that the standards of medical care vary greatly from those in Australia. The cost of medical assistance whilst travelling is usually very high and some places will require that you pay in full in advance. Also if a medical evacuation is necessary, you could be thousands of dollars out of pocket.

It is important to find out what immunisations are required for the country or countries you are visiting. It is suggested that six weeks prior to your travel (depending on what countries you are visiting) you consult a doctor to ensure you have all your necessary shots and/or tablets. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides information for travellers on its website www.who.int/ith. You can also download the Travel Well brochure by visiting www.smartraveller.gov.au.

You can now book your travel insurance online with Flight Centre.

Medications

If you are planning on taking any medications overseas with you, you will need to check that they are legal in the country that you are visiting. If you do need to travel with medications, you will need a letter from your doctor describing your medical conditions and a detailed list of the medication you are travelling with. Medication will need to be in its original packaging and be clearly marked and be in labelled containers. For more medical information you can visit Medicare Australia on www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or call 132 011.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is one aspect of your trip that cannot be overlooked. A well known saying in the travel industry is "if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel". Travel insurance is specially designed to address the many situations and potential risks that are involved in travelling and provides you coverage from the moment you leave your home until you arrive back.

Choosing the right policy for your trip requires research as there exists a large variety of policies. You will need to read the fineprint regarding what you can claim and what you cannot. You will also have to look into possibly paying excess and time periods involved.