Overseas travel

Healthcare

Depending on where you travel, it can be tricky to access medication or health care services.

Some countries may not have services that you would normally be able to access easily in Australia.

There may even be a language barrier to overcome when talking to a doctor or hospital staff.

The Australian Government has agreements with 11 countries to provide access to some health care services, potentially for free or at a reduced rate, through Medicare.

The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) is currently available in Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

It could be anything from a selfdrive holiday around New Zealand, cruising around the Caribbean on a cruise liner, hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru, or joining a tour group to explore all Europe has to offer.

Here are some things to consider before you hop on the plane to reach your dream destination.

Planning is key

There are travel agents who specialise in developing or organising trips especially for different groups of people.

They can help you plan so your trip has the right amount of adventure, interesting experiences, relaxation and safety to build your ideal holiday.

If you are intending to organise the whole trip yourself, planning is even more important.

You need to create yourself a budget, book flights and accommodation, and have basic knowledge of how to travel around, and between, the cities and towns you want to visit.

You also need to know what the environment and culture are like in the countries you travel to.

For example, Vietnam is a country with diverse cultures that are different to what you will be used to in Australia.

There are also strict Government laws and regulations in Vietnam with militia patrolling streets and protecting monuments.

Areas in India get affected by strong unexpected weather events like monsoons, so it’s important to know when it’s the best time to travel for the destination you’re choosing.

At most bookstores near you, you should be able to find travel guide books on countries you want to visit which can help with organising your trip, or take your research online.

Through this agreement you can access reduced costs for medical care if it is an emergency or care for an injury or illness that can’t wait until you return to Australia. However, the country you are visiting will still decide what care will be covered or subsidised.

The doctor who treats you will decide if they believe it is a medical necessity to receive subsidised or free care.

Before you head overseas, you will need to contact Services Australia to enrol in the program and claim Medicare benefits.

It’s important to have your medication prepared and stored in a safe place when travelling.

This includes enough medication to cover your immediate time overseasm, plus spare medication stored in a different location for an emergency, for example if your bag gets lost or stolen.

Have a letter from your doctor explaining you need the medication and carry additional prescriptions with you in case you need to stock up.

Some medications you are able to get from your pharmacist regularly also may not be available in the country you are visiting. You should research this before heading to other countries.

It can also be important to pack extra medication for basic care, like aspirin or gastro-related tablets, so you know the medication you are taking is trustworthy.

Lastly, have all of your medical check-ups done before you travel so you know you are fit to travel. This also allows you to catalogue your doctor’s letter of explanation for any medication you need to take while travelling.

Travel insurance

Having some form of travel insurance can be the best way to prepare yourself for the worst case scenario.

Depending on the level of insurance you choose, it can protect you monetarily, by reimbursing you for last minute tour, flights or accommodation cancellations, or can cover any medical payments if you need health care or have any other type of emergency while overseas.

If you look at what occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, it took the world by storm; the virus spread far and wide quickly and is the first of its kind in over a century.

It is possible that we could see another pandemic like experience in our lifetime again.

While some travellers were unable to get refunds after cancelling trips during the pandemic, others with the right level of travel insurance were protected.

The two most common forms of insurance are vacation plans and travel medical plans.

There is also seniors travel insurance, which covers older people while they travel for a greater variety of emergencies and potential health events.

When looking into insurance, you should shop around to see what is available and get different quotes.

Each plan can differ from company to company, and may exclude things that are important.

Make sure to look carefully at what you are being covered for, and if you have medical problems make sure it covers any emergency actions that you may need to take.

You should take out travel insurance as soon as you book flights in case anything happens and you need to change plans unexpectedly.

Laws and restrictions

Countries around the world can be incredibly strict on what you can bring across their borders.

For instance, Indonesia has notoriously strict drug laws so you should always be prepared before you travel by having the correct documentation for any medication you need. Also be aware if your medication is legal to bring into the countries you are travelling by talking with your doctor or pharmacist before you leave.

Certain countries in Africa or the Middle East have clothing expectations, especially for women.

It’s important to understand the sensitivities in other countries when travelling and plan for them for your own safety.

Before travelling, you should check the Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website, smartraveller.gov.au for the latest information about your destination.

You can search the country and view their travel status, which could be “do not travel” advice, or it could highlight that some areas in a country are safer compared to others.

Not only that, there is information about the country, any vaccinations you should take before heading there, and also makes you aware of relevant laws that may affect you.

Smart Traveller can also update you on visa requirements for entering each country.

Safety measures

Have your suitcases adequately secured with padlocks or keys, and keep your valuables out of sight.

You may like to use bag wrapping stations at airports to cover your bag in clingfilm, so that you will know if it has been tampered with in transit.

It’s advisable to not wear any expensive jewellery or clothing that could make you a target for pickpockets in the airport or when you are travelling.

Keep any money or valuables in either a close body bag or ‘bum bag’, and keep your passport and credit card in a protector wallet to help protect you from identity theft.

Another tip is to split your valuables and carry money in different spots on you so that you can use some as a ‘dummy’ if you are held up by a robber.

Always have copies of your passport or identification on you at all times in case you lose your passport. It is also a good option to have easy access to contact details for the Australian embassy in case of an emergency.

Never leave passports or other valuables behind in your hotel. If you feel uncomfortable or worried in a certain situation when travelling, you should follow your gut and try to get back to the safety of your accommodation or an area of a city you feel comfortable in.

Lastly, be conscious that COVID-19 is still going to be around while you travel.

Implement COVID-19 safety measures, like mask wearing and social distancing, where possible.

for COVIDsafe travel