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Student insurance
The University has a number of insurance policies and strategies to ensure you and your property are appropriately covered.
- Student insurance
- Insurance for work experience and placements
Student insurance
Travel insurance
When you’re covered
As a currently enrolled student, you are covered by the University's travel insurance policy when your travel meets the following criteria.
- It is curriculum related and contributes to the completion of your enrolled degree (for example student exchange vocational placement and research fieldwork).
- It is formally approved by your faculty or school before your departure. You are required to have written confirmation of the approval from the University to include in any insurance claims you make.
- You are representing the University (for example on a sporting or debating team pre-approved by the University).
You should not provide copies of the insurance certificates to external organisations if the activity has not been appropriately approved by the University. The University’s insurance will only be available if the activity has been appropriately approved (in writing) before the relevant activity commences.
There is an excess of $3,000 on non-medical expenses which is required to be borne by the faculty or school. Please make sure there is a clear understanding of what’s covered and the costs that will be refunded (if any) by the University before you travel.
The insurance cover will last for the duration of the course or placement, and any additional days at the start or the end that are deemed appropriate. These additional days can be up to a maximum of one week (7 days) at either end of the approved activity. If students wish to undertake any personal travel on additional days, they should take out a separate policy for that period.
Emergency contact details
In the event of a medical emergency, or if you need help in relation to your insurance coverage, call International SOS on +61 2 9372 2468.
You can call this number from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day and can reverse charge the call.
Print and keep your Proof of insurance (pdf, 153KB) to have these emergency contact details on hand.
Personal travel
You are not covered for periods of extended personal travel you take before, during or after the approved University travel activity. Personal travel on weekends will only be covered if you are completing an approved exchange, and you are travelling during the exchange period.
You can contact usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com if you have any questions about whether your personal travel will be covered.
In situations where you’re not covered by the University's travel insurance, you need to consider taking out your own travel insurance. Most insurers will require you to take out your own travel insurance for the duration of your trip, including the portion that is covered by the University. Having dual cover does not affect your ability to make a claim.
You can purchase separate personal travel cover at your own cost from an insurance provider.
Iran and Cuba
Iran and Cuba are subject to sanctions issued by the Australian, US and UN Governments. If you are travelling to these countries, you should contact us to discuss your options.
What’s covered
For more information on what you are covered for in the University's travel insurance policy, you can refer to the documents below:
- 2023-2024 Travel Claims Summary Booklet (pdf, 13.3MB)
- 2023-2024 Travel PDS, Policy Wording & Schedule (pdf, 1.9 MB)
Medical conditions
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you will need to provide us with a 'fit for travel' letter from your treating doctor, which includes:
- details of your condition
- management of the condition
- your suitability for overseas travel.
Email a copy of this letter to usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com and hold onto this letter in case you need to make a claim.
Exclusions
If you’re in Australia on a student visa, or residing here temporarily, you are not covered for medical expenses if you travel back to your home country.
The University’s student travel insurance also does not cover:
- routine medical procedures (such as check-ups)
- loss or damage to personal effects (there must be evidence of theft).
COVID cover
- Losses caused by an expected, known and/or foreseeable event within the control of students may not be covered under the policy.
- Medical benefits will continue to be paid subject to the policy terms and conditions.
The insurer will assess individual instances on a case-by-case basis, looking at all the relevant circumstances.
Travel advice and security
Up-to-date information on overseas travel and security is available from AIG Travel Assistance.
To register, use your University student email account for ‘username’ and the University’s Travel policy number 2200103398. Once you’re registered you’ll be able to use the services provided by our travel insurer.
You can also visit the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for travel advice.
Global mobility travel registry
If you are travelling overseas for University business, you are strongly encouraged to enter your University endorsed travel details onto the Global mobility travel registry at least 30 days prior to your departure. By registering your trip, you will:
- be provided with important health, safety, logistical updates and assistance before, during, and after the international trip
- enable rapid location and communication in case of an emergency
- confirm that your trip has been authorised by the University, which is a requirement to be covered by the University’s travel insurance policy
- meet the conditions of scholarships and funding associated with University endorsed travel.
How to make a claim
Effective from 4pm, 31 October 2019, the University made changes to the way insurance claims are managed.
Policies where the new claim excess applies:
- Corporate travel - $3,000 per claim. The excess does not apply to 'overseas medical and additional expenses' (including medical evacuation and repatriation in the event of an injury, illness or death) or 'hospital cover', where the excess amount remains at zero and will be covered by the insurer.
- Personal accident - $1,000 per claim. Only claims for incidents with a value of greater than the excess should be processed through the insurer.
Travel claims
From 31 October 2020, students (including Higher Degree Research students) should lodge travel claims online. Please follow the steps below:
- Click on 'I have a Company Registration Code'
- Enter the registration code SYDU8DYAYYA5D
- Click on 'Sign In' and follow the prompts.
To avoid requests for additional information and delays in processing of your claim, You should submit adequate evidence to support your claim such as copies of medical reports, invoices/receipts/proof of payment for each expense you are claiming, police report, your itinerary and authorisation from the University to travel.
Corporate Services Network (CSN) is the appointed claims manager for processing, assessing and payment of validated claims for all student claims. CSN acts under the program on behalf of the University and AIG.
Please note that students with non-medical related claims over $3,000 will receive two separate payments from CSN for validated claims, one from the University ($3,000 excess) and the other from AIG (value over the excess).
Personal accident claims
For personal accident claims from 4pm, 31 October 2019 that exceed $1,000, complete the personal accident claim form and send to claims@csnet.com.au.
For claims less than the excess amount, students should contact their relevant faculty, school or department to assess the claims.
Enquiries
AON Risk Services is the University insurance broker. If you have travel and personal accident claim enquiries email usyd.assistance.inbox@aon.com
For general insurance enquiries, email Scott Loder at scott.loder@aon.com
School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI)
Postgraduate students
To have your travel arrangements approved, you’ll need to submit a Travel notification form for SOPHI postgraduates (doc, 67KB).
Last updated: 21 December 2023
