Prepare for travel

Find everything you need to have a safe and enjoyable overseas experience, including complimentary travel insurance.

Before you leave

Pre-depature checklist

  1. Complete the Preparing for Learning Abroad Module
    This is for all RMIT students going on an overseas study experience.
  2. Attend your pre-departure briefing
    You will be notified via your student email of the time, date and location of your dedicated pre-departure briefing. At the briefing you'll learn everything you need to know about your experience, get to meet and network with your peers and ask questions.
  3. Review your complimentary student travel insurance
    See below for more information.
  4. Register your details with International SOS  before you leave
    iSOS specialises in medical assistance, travel security advice and information, emergency services, healthcare and evacuation services. Before you leave and while you are overseas, you can reach out to iSOS to find out more about your destination, or if you need any assistance.
  5. Research your host destination
    You should research your host destination by checking Smart Traveller and International SOS for the latest information. Make sure you seek information about any immunisations or health issues relevant to travelling and living in another country. Refer to your own doctor for more information and check International SOS as they have resources related to health information under each country listing.
  6. Find your accommodation
    In many cases, the host institution or organisation may provide you with information about accommodation. It’s a good idea to do some research online to familiarise yourself with the area you will be living. If you are looking for temporary accommodation when you arrive in your host country, make sure you book for at least two weeks. Please do not book any accommodation until after you have received a formal acceptance from the host institution.

When you arrive

  • Let your family know you have arrived safely
    When you first land it’s easy to forget this very important and simple step in all your excitement.
  • Contact your host institution and attend orientation
    Check in with your host institution to find out about orientation and any other fun events. This is a great way to meet people and make friends.
  • Update your RMIT student record with your overseas contact details
    Update your personal contact details to include your address and any new phone numbers you may have while abroad. This will make it easier for us to contact you are in an emergency.

While you're overseas

If you have any medical, security or logistical questions or concerns, contact International SOS first as they are a 24/7 resource on call, online and on the ground.

You can continue to access administrative, counselling and other RMIT student services while studying overseas. Simply contact the service area you need through Student Connect. You can also use the services offered to you by your host institution.

Travel insurance

All RMIT University students receive complimentary travel insurance for approved domestic and international travel.

If your registration or application in the online application portal Mobi has been processed and confirmed, you are automatically covered. If you are not on Mobi – you are required to register to receive coverage for your approved overseas program. Once you have your travel itinerary, your travel details must be also registered with MyTrips.

Note that you need to be enrolled as a current RMIT student during your overseas program in order to be covered by the complimentary RMIT travel insurance.

The RMIT travel insurance policy provides cover for the duration of your official study dates. You also receive a complimentary 30 days of leisure travel to be used in any combination before and/or after your official study dates. If you plan to travel for longer than 30 days before and/or after your official study dates, you will need to arrange your own travel insurance for this extended period.

The RMIT travel insurance policy provides comprehensive worldwide cover and includes unlimited cover for medical treatment expenses, hospitalisation and medical related repatriation.

The unlimited medical cover includes cover for the treatment of Covid-19, no excess applies to medical expenses under this policy and there is no waiting period for pre-existing conditions.

The policy also provides repatriation of mortal remains and funeral cover, with a limit of liability AUD 250,000.

 

Download and review the RMIT Student Travel Certificate of Currency (PDF, 82.2KB) and Policy Product Disclosure Statement and Schedule (PDF, 1,006.7KB) for more details.

Please do not contact Aon with enquiries, instead send your questions to insurance@rmit.edu.au.

Mobile phones are NOT covered. If you want your mobile phone to be insured, you should purchase additional insurance with another provider.

A $250 excess applies to laptops, personal computers, tablets, and cameras.

Other notable exclusions:

  • Aerial activities (except as a passenger in an aircraft) e.g. bungee jumping, parachuting, rock climbing etc.
  • Any intentional self-injury, including suicide or attempted suicide
  • Any criminal or illegal act

A disinclination to travel due to the Middle East conflict is also excluded, please review the insurer’s position statement at https://www.ahiinsurance.com.au/position-statements/middle-east-2026 for more detail.

The RMIT travel insurance policy does not provide cover or benefits for payments which would breach any sanction, prohibition or restriction, implemented pursuant to any resolution of the United Nations, or any trade or economic sanctions, laws or regulations of the European Union, United Kingdom, Commonwealth of Australia or USA or Canada.

For full details of the policy conditions, limitations and exclusions, please review the RMIT Student Travel Policy Statement and Schedule (PDF, 959KB).

If you are concerned a pre-existing medical condition will impact your journey, you should seek confirmation from your doctor that you are fit to travel, before booking your trip.

The RMIT travel insurance policy does not provide cover if your doctor says you are unfit to travel. Cover is also not provided if you are travelling to have treatment for an existing condition, or for cosmetic or elective surgery.

The medication for an existing condition, and your ongoing treatment of an existing condition, will also not be covered.

We can confirm cover is provided for the treatment of any flare-up of an existing condition.

If your doctor declares that you are fit to travel, we recommend you take enough medication with you (in the original packaging) to last for the full duration of your trip. Also ask your doctor to confirm that your medication will be permitted in ALL your destination countries.

Please email insurance@rmit.edu.au if you have any additional questions re an existing condition.

Complete and sign the Claim Form (PDF, 341KB), attach the supporting documents and send it to claims@ahiinsurance.com.au.

Remember to:

  • Quote policy number: 41443
  • Sign 'Section Twelve: Declaration' on page 5
  • Ensure the appropriate bank account details are provided
  • Retain all original documentation

Supporting documentation will vary according to the claim type and should, where applicable, include:

  • A copy of the approval of your RMIT activity
  • A copy of your travel itinerary
  • Invoices and receipts for claimed expenses
  • Medical or doctor reports for a medical condition or injury – this is to establish eligibility and that it is not a pre-existing condition
  • Correspondence of claim attempts with airlines, hotels etc.
  • Police reports relating to accidents, theft or criminal activity
  • If claims relate to loss of income, please note you will need to complete a Tax File Number Declaration.

If you require a personalised insurance confirmation letter for a visa application or for your host university please provide the following details:

  • Your name as it appears on your travel documentation
  • Your departure and return dates
  • Your official study start and end dates
  • The country where you will spend the majority of your time

Please send this information to insurance@rmit.edu.au.

For questions regarding insurance and coverage, contact insurance@rmit.edu.au.

For questions regarding your overseas program, contact the Global Learning Office at global.experience@rmit.edu.au.

Need help?

For more information, contact the Global Learning Office via Student Connect.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures