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 global 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 traveling overseas on an approved global experience receive complimentary travel insurance.

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 student travel insurance policy covers you 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 or after your official study dates. If you plan to travel for longer than 30 days before or after your official study dates then you will need to arrange your own travel insurance for this extended period.

In no event, can the policy cover a journey greater 365 days. If you are travelling longer than that, please advise RMIT by emailing insurance@rmit.edu.au as it may be necessary for you to make alternative insurance arrangements.

Due to legislation restrictions, this policy cannot cover nationals while in their home countries. The international travel to and from that home country however would be covered.

Download and read the RMIT Student Travel Certificate of Currency (PDF, 75KB) and Policy Product Disclosure Statement and Schedule (PDF, 1.8MB) for details of the insurance policy coverage. Please do not contact Aon with enquiries as they are not the insurance provider. All insurance-related questions must be sent to insurance@rmit.edu.au.

The travel policy excludes COVID-related additional expenses, cancellation & curtailment expenses and loss of deposits. Importantly, please note you are still covered for the medical treatment costs of COVID.

The travel policy explicitly excludes mobile phones and tablets. There is a $1,000 excess fee for claims involving laptops and personal computers. If you want these items covered, you must purchase additional insurance with another provider.

Other exclusions include:

  • Engaging in air travel except as a passenger in any properly licensed aircraft
  • Any deliberately self-inflicted injury, including suicide or attempted suicide
  • A sexually transmitted disease, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection
  • Any criminal or intentional illegal act
  • Any global experience program in your home country (the flights to and from your home country are included)

For full details of policy conditions, limitations and exclusion, please consult the RMIT Student Travel Policy Statement and Schedule (PDF, 2MB).

You are covered for the medical treatment costs related to COVID. You are not covered for the costs to change a flight, or the loss of a deposit for your accommodation.

If the isolation requirements, flight changes or cancelled bookings are COVID related, your additional costs are not covered.

The medical expenses, cancellation and curtailment sections of the policy have exclusions for travel against the advice of physician or when you are unfit to undertake a journey.

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

Even with this confirmation, please note that the policy will not cover known or expected costs for the treatment of an ongoing or chronic medical condition. The Personal Accident and Life sections of the policy will also contain exclusions for pre-existing conditions. If you are concerned about a particular condition, please email insurance@rmit.edu.au.

Complete and sign the Claim Form (PDF, 429KB) and email it to claims@ahiinsurance.com.au together with all documentation needed to support your claim (key items needed are summarised below).

Remember to:

  • Quote policy number: 41443
  • Sign 'Section Twelve: Declaration' on page 5
  • Ensure that the appropriate bank account details are input for repayment
  • Retain all original documentation to enable production upon request at any stage of the claim process

Supporting documents

Supporting documentation will vary according to the claim type. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • A copy of your Mobi registration (not just the application)
  • A copy of your itinerary showing travel dates
  • Proof of payment for claimed expenses (paid invoices, receipts)
  • Full medical or doctor reports for a medical condition or injury – this is to establish eligibility and that it is not a pre-existing condition
  • Proof from prior claim attempts with airlines, hotels etc. of unsuccessful attempts to claim elsewhere
  • Police reports relating to accidents, theft or criminal activity
  • If claims relate to loss of income you must complete a Tax File Number Declaration.

To meet our obligations under international law, Australia implements United Nations Security Council sanctions regimes. Australia also implements autonomous sanctions regimes as a matter of foreign policy.

RMIT’s travel insurer is also subject to this legislation and requires notification (at least three weeks prior to departure) of each and every trip that involves travel to a sanctioned country. You can find a list of sanctioned countries on the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website

At least three weeks before travelling to a sanctioned country, you must send the following details to insurance@rmit.edu.au:

  • Your name
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Dates of travel
  • The countries you're travelling to and reason for travel

Depending on the country and reason for travel, there may be further requests for information.

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 Experience Office at global.experience@rmit.edu.au.

Need help?

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

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Acknowledgement of Country

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 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.