Travel health insurance for Australians visiting the US
A hospital visit in the USA can cost between $10,000 and $150,000 or more. Most Australian provincial health insurance plans provide little or no coverage in the United States.
Travel insurance to USA from Australia starts at less than $1 per day and helps cover emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation, pre-existing conditions, and travel emergencies.
Compare A rated travel insurance for Australians visiting the United States and get a free quote online in minutes.
Which Travel Insurance for USA from Australia is Right for You?
- Cheapest Australia Travel Insurance to USA - Safe Travels Advantage from $20/month* (fixed benefit).
- Best Comprehensive Medical Insurance for Australian Visitors to America - Patriot America Plus with up to $1,000,000 coverage and access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network.
- Best Insurance for Australian Parents Visiting the USA - Safe Travels USA Comprehensive with eligible acute onset of pre-existing condition coverage up to age 89.
- Best USA Travel Insurance for Seniors from Australia (70+) - Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers coverage for eligible travelers up to age 89.
- Best USA Travel Insurance for Sudden Heart-Related Emergencies - SafeVista Protect provides eligible cardiac-related emergency medical benefits.
- Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions for Australians Visiting the USA - Patriot America Plus and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive include eligible acute onset of pre-existing condition coverage.
Best travel insurance for USA from Australia
The United States with its economic and cultural influence has made a huge impact all around the globe. The US history of welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and cultures and providing them with great working opportunities in diverse fields has made the US the aspirational destination for skilled professionals world over. The US is hence the ideal place for many Australian professionals to migrate.
To facilitate travel and further strengthen ties and people-to-people links between Australia and the US, the two countries have a Work and Holiday visa arrangement which allows eligible Australians to stay and work for 12 months in the United States. The relationship has encouraged travel of between both the two nations which includes long-term professionals, temporary business travelers and working holiday makers. There were about 240,000 Australians in the US and in 2019 the Business Visa Waiver entries went up by 1.7% from 162,416 to 165,201. The contribution of Australians can been seen in every US state in businesses, defense personnel, professional sportsmen and women and expatriates.
Around 600 defense personnel are located across 31 states and the District of Columbia. More than 10,000 Australian companies trade to or operate in the United States hiring thousands of Americans. A bilateral social security agreement was signed between the two countries in October 2002 to provide better social security protection for those who have lived or worked in both Australia and the US. Fortunately, since 2005, Australians have had special E3 work visa, that allows Australians to work in the USA for a period of time and get the benefits of permanent residency. The spouse of the Australian on an E3 visa can also work while in the States but it cannot be used as the basis for a Green Card application. Each year, the US allows 10,500 E3 visas solely for Australian professionals.
There is an increasing numbers of Australians in the entertainment industry too. The creativity and expertise of Australians is seen in cinematography and in special effects. While immigrating to the US, it is important to have good immigrant medical insurance. The US health care is very expensive and being forced to visit an US hospital without insurance is scary which can result in huge financial loss. A proper visitor’s insurance or new immigrant insurance cover will provide coverage for unexpected medical emergencies during your stay in the US.
American visitor insurance offers some of the best US new immigrant insurance options along with guaranteeing the best price. The new immigrant medical insurance options can include coverage for pre-existing conditions till Australian professionals are eligible for domestic US insurance. There are tools to compare several plans both for prices as well as benefits offered as well as provide answers to FAQ's by customers. Buying US visitor medical insurance is easy at American Visitor Insurance. For more details you can call or email us for further assistance and one of our licensed agents will help you.
Travel Insurance for Australian Visitors Traveling to the USA
The Australian-American community is estimated to include more than 100,000 Australian-born residents living in the United States, with a much larger number of Americans claiming Australian ancestry. The largest Australian communities are found in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Washington, with major population centers including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Australians have made valuable professional contributions across many sectors in the United States, particularly in technology and innovation, healthcare and medical research, and finance, education, and business leadership. Many Australian professionals also work in entertainment, sports, engineering, and scientific research.
Many travelers from Australia visit the United States to visit family and friends, attend weddings, graduations, religious and cultural celebrations, pursue education or business opportunities, or enjoy holidays at popular destinations across America. These visits frequently last several weeks or even a few months, making comprehensive visitor medical insurance an important part of travel planning.
How Much Does Travel Insurance to USA From Australia Cost?
The cost of travel insurance to USA from Australia depends on factors such as age of the traveler, duration of travel and stay, coverage needed, policy maximum amount chosen, and deductible selected.
Fixed benefit visitor insurance plans generally have lower premiums with limited coverage, while comprehensive travel health insurance plans provide broader medical coverage and higher policy maximums.
How Much Does the Cheapest American Health Insurance for Australians Cost?
Cheapest American health insurance for Australians can start at around $20 per month.
Safe Travels Advantage is one of the cheapest travel insurance to USA from less than $1/day for Australian snowbirds and visitors seeking affordable coverage while traveling in the United States.
Monthly premiums typically range from $20 to $155 based on the traveler and plan selected.
| Plan Name | Max Coverage | Deductible | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage Trawick International |
$25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $20 - $58 | $39 - $102 | $60 - $166 |
| Visitors Care IMG |
$25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $24 - $47 | $40 - $75 | $66 - $152 |
| Safe Travels Elite Trawick International |
$25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $26 - $76 | $50 - $134 | $109 - $155 |
How Much Does Comprehensive Health Insurance for Australian Visitors to USA Cost?
Comprehensive travel insurance for Australians visiting USA typically costs between $71 to $353 per month.
| Plan name | Max Coverage | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels USA Cost Saver Trawick International |
$50,000 - $1,000,000 | $71 - $117 | $139 - $250 | $237 - $299 |
| Patriot America Lite IMG |
$50,000 - $1,000,000 | $72 - $130 | $153 - $289 | $252 - $337 |
| Patriot America Plus IMG |
$50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $139 | $164 - $311 | $287 - $434 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Trawick International |
$50,000 - $1,000,000 | $90 - $168 | $172 - $351 | $294 - $470 |
| SafeVista Protect INF Insurance |
$100,000 - $1,000,000 | $93 - $127 | $215 - $248 | $320 |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters |
$50,000 - $1,000,000 | $125 - $214 | $229 - $301 | $353 |
Prices verified for the 2026 travel season · Source: American Visitor Insurance®
What Is the Most Affordable Travel Insurance for Australians Visiting the USA?
The Cheapest US medical insurance for Australians is the Safe Travels Advantage plan, starting at $20 per month.
Other affordable short-term travel insurance for Australians to USA options include Visitors Care and Safe Travels Elite.
Which Is the Best Travel Insurance to the USA from Australia?
The best travel medical insurance for Australians includes Patriot America Plus, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, SafeVista Protect, and Diplomat America.
Given the high cost of healthcare in the United States, it is important to choose the best medical insurance for visitors to USA from Australia that offers comprehensive medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, and coverage for eligible acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the USA?
Healthcare in the USA is among the most expensive in the world. Without proper travel insurance, Australians visiting the USA may face extremely high medical bills for emergencies, hospital stays, or even basic medical care.
$120,000K
Stroke - 10-day ICU
$22,000+
Acute kidney failure
$20,000
Heart attack treatment
$5,000
Diabetes ER treatment
$3,000
Echocardiogram (NJ)
$176
Routine physician visit
The main reasons for these high medical costs include significant administrative expenses, the litigious nature of U.S. healthcare, and the need for numerous billing staff by hospitals and insurance companies. Advanced medical technology, costly labor, and expensive malpractice insurance further increase costs.
For Australians traveling to the USA, being uninsured is risky. In U.S. hospitals, treatment costs are far lower when you have visitor insurance and the hospital is part of a PPO network. Even beyond coverage benefits, simply having travel medical insurance can substantially reduce your medical bills.
Having visitors insurance while visiting the USA helps Australians avoid the financial burden of unexpected healthcare expenses.
What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Canadian Seniors Visiting USA?
Given the interconnected nature of the Australian and the US economies, there are many Australian business people and Corporate employees who make several trips annually to the US for work. For regular travelers, buying the Annual multi-trip travel insurance works very well. The Australian travelers must have domestic health insurance policy while being covered under this plan. The annual multi-trip insurance insures the traveler for innumerable trip throughout the whole year as long as each trip is limited a fixed duration (usually 30 or 45 days) depending on the multi-trip insurance plan.
Best travel insurance Australia to USA
Senior Citizen Insurance
Australian Senior citizen travel insurance for traveling outside their home country.
Pre-existing Coverage Insurance
Travel health insurance coverage for Australian travelers with Pre-existing diseases.
Factors to buy best travel medical insurance USA from Australia
The cost of medical insurance for travelers is directly proportional to the age of the traveler. The older the traveler and greater will be the cost of the visitors health insurance.
Comprehensive insurance provides exhaustive coverage but is more expensive than fixed benefit insurance which has a specified limit for each treatment.
The price of visitors insurance is directly dependent on the maximum medical coverage and inversely proportional to the deductible of the plan chosen.
Travel insurance depends on the coverage region. The cost for visitor insurance for the United States is most expensive when compared to Europe or Asia.
The cost of trip insurance directly depends on the length of travel. The longer the duration of visitor medical insurance required, the higher will be the cost.
Additional add-on benefits to the basic insurance for tourist plan like adventure sports coverage, coverage for pre-existing conditions… will add to the overall cost.
Travel Medical Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions from Australia to USA
1. If you or your visiting family member has a medical condition, understanding whether you need acute onset or full pre-existing condition coverage is the most important step before buying a plan. Read our guide on Acute Onset vs Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage, to choose the right visitor insurance plan. Most visitor insurance plans cover emergency flare-ups of known conditions - but only a few cover ongoing treatment and doctor visits for those conditions.
Acute Onset Coverage
Best travel insurance for acute onset of pre-existing conditions: are Patriot America Plus, Atlas America, Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
Full Pre-Existing Coverage
A long-term or ongoing condition that existed prior to coverage and is generally managed over time
Best visitor insurance for pre-existing conditions are INF Elite X, INF Premier X and Visitors Protect (90-day minimum purchase).
Which Pre-Existing Conditions Are Covered by US Travel Insurance?
Compare visitors medical insurance that cover asthma attacks, flare-ups, and emergency treatment abroad.
- INF Elite 90 X: $1M medical, acute asthma coverage
- Visitors Protect: Pre-existing asthma & emergency care
Find visitors health insurance that helps cover arthritis pain, joint issues, and sudden medical care while traveling.
- INF Elite X: Emergency & acute arthritis coverage
- Safe Travels USA: $1M medical, acute pre-existing benefit
Get visitors travel insurance for diabetes, including emergency care for sugar level complications while overseas.
- SafeVista Protect: Diabetes & emergency medical coverage
- INF Elite X: Pre-existing diabetes coverage & emergency care
Choose travel insurance that covers heart problems such as chest pain, heart attack, or cardiac emergencies.
- Visitors Protect: Pre-existing heart condition coverage
- Safe Travels USA Comprehensive: Emergency cardiac care & hospitalization
Protect against health risks from high cholesterol with visitor medical insurance covering related complications abroad.
- Travel Medical Choice: Acute onset emergency coverage
- Elite Plus X: Covers Full pre-existing condition coverage
Find visitor health insurance that covers high blood pressure emergencies, strokes, or related complications while traveling.
- INF Premier X: Acute pre-existing & emergency care
- INF Elite Plus X: Full pre-existing hypertension coverage
Australian citizens visiting the US, Travel insurance for America
The United States attracts Australian tourists for many places like New York, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, Disneyland, Grand Canyon , amazing Niagara Waterfall, many natural parks like Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Teton National Park etc.
Medical Insurance for U.S. Citizens Living in Australia Visiting the US
U.S. citizens and expats living in Australia frequently travel back to the United States to visit family, for business, or for other personal reasons. At American Visitor Insurance we have the best travel insurance for U.S. expats visiting USA.
Short term travel health insurance in USA for US citizens visiting the country that are designed by IMG a reputed US insurance provider are
Another popular travel insurance for U.S. citizen traveling to USA is Diplomat America insurance by Global Underwriters.
Cost of health insurance for US expats visiting the USA in 2026
Approximate monthly cost of expat health insurance for visiting USA for a 40-year-old traveler with a $100 deductible.
| Travel Insurance USA | Maximum Coverage | Provider Network | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot America Lite IMG | $50,000 | $79 | |
| Patriot America Plus IMG | $50,000 | $84 | |
| Patriot Platinum America IMG | $2,000,000 | $161 | |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $50,000 | No PPO | $138 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Looking For Travel Insurance For US Citizens Returning Home During War?
US citizens returning home during war or crisis need travel insurance that provides emergency medical coverage, evacuation, and protection for pre-existing conditions. Explore more options for US citizens, including short-term plans and pre-existing condition coverage, in our Best Travel Health Insurance for US Citizens Returning During War or Crisis
General Information About USA
Travel Insurance from Australia to USA - FAQs
While it is not a legal requirement for Australians to have health insurance to enter the USA, it is highly recommended for several important reasons. The USA has some of the highest healthcare costs in the world. Without insurance, even minor medical treatments can be extremely expensive. Health insurance ensures you can access necessary medical care without facing potentially crippling financial burdens.
What happens if a tourist from Australia goes to the hospital in the US ? How are Australian tourists emergency hospital bills handled ? What is involved in seeing a Doctor in the US as a tourist ? How is the medical treatment in USA for Australian handled?
The above are common concerns of Australian tourists visiting the United States. It is extremely important for US tourists to know that healthcare in the US is very expensive and that most US residents have health insurance to cover their medical expenses.
Given this situation, it is important for US tourists to have the best travel insurance for US as they are fully responsible for any medical expenses that they incur in the country. Being forced to get medical treatment in usa without insurance can be financially catastrophic, and the best way to shield oneself from this situation is to buy US travel insurance for the entire duration of one’s visit to the country.
Yes, Australian citizens can travel to the United States, typically under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP allows Australian citizens to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit without needing a visa. However, they must apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before their trip, which is valid for two years or until their passport expires.
For stays longer than 90 days or purposes like studying, working, or immigrating, Australians need to apply for the appropriate visa, such as the F1 for students or the E3 visa, which is specifically for Australians working in specialty occupations.
No, travel insurance to America from Australia is not mandatory. However, travel health for visitors from Australia to USA is recommended. The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is significantly high, and without insurance, even a minor medical issue can lead to substantial expenses. Travel insurance for US visitors from Australia can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected events during your stay.
Given the potential risks, it's advisable to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance to USA from Australia to ensure peace of mind and financial protection.
Popular tourist destinations in the United States
Mount Rushmore
The iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota features the carved faces of four U.S. presidents and is one of America's most recognizable landmarks. Visitors can enjoy scenic walking trails, museums, and evening lighting ceremonies while learning about U.S. history. If your itinerary includes South Dakota, USA travel insurance from Australia can help provide coverage for unexpected medical emergencies, hospital visits, and travel-related incidents during your journey.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of North America's most spectacular natural attractions, attracting millions of visitors each year. Travelers can experience the famous boat tours, observation decks, scenic parks, and breathtaking views from the U.S. side of the falls. Whether you're visiting New York alone or combining your trip with Australia, visitor insurance USA from Australia can help protect you against eligible medical expenses, emergency treatment, and unexpected healthcare costs while traveling.
Statue of Liberty
Located in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and one of the most visited attractions in the United States. Many Australian travelers include Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and other famous New York landmarks in their itinerary. Choosing travel medical insurance USA from Australia can provide valuable financial protection for eligible doctor visits, emergency medical care, hospitalization, and other unforeseen medical expenses during your stay.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts visit the park for hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and photography across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Since adventure activities and remote locations can increase the risk of unexpected injuries or illnesses, USA visitor insurance from Australia can help cover eligible emergency medical treatment, ambulance services, and hospitalization while exploring America's first national park.
How to Buy the Best Travel Insurance from Australia to USA?
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