Travel medical advice

Get advice on everything health-related before you travel - medical conditions, vaccinations, travel insurance and more

While overseas travel can be an enlightening and educational experience, it can also leave you vulnerable to foreign and potentially serious health risks.

To ensure you stay safe and healthy on your journey, it's important to get medical advice tailored to your situation and travel plans, to ensure you have the appropriate vaccinations for your destinations, and to protect yourself against any unforeseen medical expenses with appropriate travel insurance (and don't forget - RACV members get 15% off travel insurance).

Before you leave, schedule a time to meet with your regular doctor for a thorough check up. This will help lower the risk of making any pre-existing conditions worse, along with discussing preventative measures you can take on your holiday. This is particularly important for older travellers, young children, people travelling with injuries or existing conditions, and pregnant women.

Here's a checklist of what you can discuss with your doctor:

  • Your itinerary
  • The duration of travel
  • The style of travel
  • Your medical history
  • Your vaccination requirements
  • Pregnancy
  • Allergies
  • Medications
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Disease prevention
Man receiving a travel vaccination

When planning a trip, especially if you are travelling internationally, one of the most important things to organise is your travel vaccines. 

Vaccinations are an essential part of looking after your health on your travels, and some destinations will require you to get specific vaccinations before you travel - if you neglect to do this, you might be refused entry when you arrive.

Required vaccinations

When crossing international borders, the following vaccinations are required:

  • Yellow Fever
  • Cholera
  • Meningococcal

Routine vaccinations (childhood or adult vaccinations)

The following vaccinations are offered as part of Australia's childhood vaccination program. However, you may need a booster, depending on your age when you plan to travel.

  • Tetanus
  • Polio
  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Pneumococcal
  • Meningococcal
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)

The government also funds the seasonal influenza vaccine for those at risk of developing complications from the virus.

Recommended vaccinations

There are some additional vaccinations that recommended when travelling overseas. These may include:

  • Hepatitis A (developing countries)
  • Typhoid (developing countries)
  • Japanese Encephalitis (long-term travel in Asia)
  • Rabies (where animal exposure is possible)
  • Meningitis (some parts of Africa)

For specific advice related to your travel destinations, please visit smartraveller.gov.au

Please see your doctor to identify your specific needs.

More travel medical advice

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd AR 001243563 is an authorised representative of the issuer and receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. RACV Travel Insurance issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548. Terms & conditions apply, refer to the PDS.