Travel Advice for Australian Travellers

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Announcements

02 March 2026

Travel Advice – Middle East Conflict

Because of the current conflict in the Middle East, the Australian Government (DFAT) has issued Level 4: Do Not Travel warnings for several countries. As a result, WAS Insurance has paused selling new policies for: UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.

If you're thinking about buying a policy, please note that we cannot provide cover for travel to any country that is under a DFAT Level 4 warning.

Travelling Through (Transit Only)

If your intended trip only passes through a Level 4 country (for example, a layover in Dubai or Doha), all your policy benefits will remain active.
This applies as long as you:

  • stay inside the airport, and
  • your stop is a scheduled transit on your ticket.

So if you're just changing planes, you're still covered.

War Related Disruptions

Your policy does not cover problems caused by the conflict, such as:

  • flights cancelled due to closed airspace
  • rerouting around conflict zones
  • Government ordered evacuations

These situations fall under the policy's "Acts of War" general exclusion.

Choosing Not to Travel

If you book a flight and then decide not to travel because of concerns about the conflict, this is treated as a change of mind and is not covered.

If Your Flight Is Cancelled or Changed

Please contact your airline or travel provider first.
Many airlines are offering free date changes or credits for affected routes.

If you'd like to change your travel dates, you can also contact us before you depart and we'll help wherever possible within your policy.

In Summary

  • We have paused new policies for countries under DFAT Level 4 warnings.
  • All policy benefits apply if you only transit through a Level 4 country.
  • War related disruptions are not covered.
  • Airlines are your first point of contact for flight changes.
18 June 2025

Mount Lewotobi Eruption

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Travel insurance policies purchased after 12:00PM (midday) AEST on 18 June 2025 will not cover losses arising from the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, as it is now widely reported. However, policies purchased before this date may still offer coverage, subject to the terms of the policy.

02 March 2025

Cyclone Alfred

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Travel insurance policies sold after 11:59PM AEST on 2 March 2025 will not cover losses arising from Cyclone Alfred or related weather events, as it is now widely reported. However, policies purchased before this date may still offer coverage, subject to the terms of the policy.

12 November 2024

Bali Ash Cloud

Travel insurance policies purchased after 11:59PM AEDT on 12 November 2024 will not cover losses arising from the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, as it is now widely reported. However, policies purchased before this date may still offer coverage, subject to the terms of the policy.

Stay Informed with WAS Travel Insurance

Planning an overseas trip is always thrilling and exciting, but sometimes things can scuttle the best laid plans. It's essential to stay informed about potential risks and safety measures so you don’t put yourself in danger or miss something important related to your travel plans.

At WAS Travel Insurance, we provide travel advice to help Australian travellers prepare for their journeys and stay safe. Watch this space for helpful travel advice and alerts from around the world.

Travel advice and alerts are crucial for anybody planning trips overseas. You should always be on the lookout for travel updates related to:

  • Natural disasters
  • Strike action
  • Health alerts
  • Conflicts
  • Potential visa changes

Staying informed can protect you from unforeseen risks. Our travel advice section offers comprehensive information on various factors that could affect your trip.

Foreign Affairs and Advice Levels

This is a great opportunity to remind you to check the Australian government’s advice levels for your destination. Do this before you set off on your journey and ensure you understand the levels provided by foreign affairs authorities. We’ll communicate any updates here for convenience. These levels indicate the risk associated with travelling to certain destinations and sometimes provide insights into the diplomatic relationship between your destination country and Australia.

By checking the latest advice, you can make informed decisions and adjust your travel plans if necessary.

We encourage you to subscribe to smartraveller.gov.au and download their App to receive up-to-date travel advice

Health and Safety Tips

Your health and safety are our priority. In that spirit, here’s a select set of tips to help you stay safe while travelling abroad:

  • Thoroughly research your destination. This is not fear mongering. Many countries around the world have potential safety concerns for various reasons. It’s always important to be conscious of potential local issues.
  • Stay updated. Regularly check trusted sources for travel alerts and updates.
  • Ensure you know how to contact the relevant emergency services in your destination company. You should also know how to contact the local embassy. Of course, cases where you need these services may be extremely rare, but you should be prepared in case of an unexpected emergency.
  • Many health professionals recommend certain vaccinations when travelling to some countries. Ensure you have necessary vaccinations and health checks before travelling.
  • Follow local security advice wherever you go.

Protect Your Trip with WAS Travel Insurance

Consider travel insurance an essential part of your travel preparation, offering protection against various unexpected events. At WAS, we offer a range of insurance options for you to get a policy that suits your needs. Make sure to get insured before you travel to ensure you’re covered against various risks and enjoy these potential benefits:

Stay Safe

Staying informed and prepared is key to a safe and enjoyable trip. At WAS, our travel advice aims to help Australian travellers navigate the complexities of overseas travel with confidence. Check back regularly for the latest updates and advice to ensure a smooth journey.

Check our individual destination pages for more destination-specific advice: