What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit

Headaches, stomachaches, sunburn and other ailments are not necessarily life-threatening but they can definitely ruin your trip, no matter where in the world you are. To make the most of your Working Holiday Visa adventure, you should be carrying a first-aid kit to get back to full health as quickly as possible.

Do I really need to carry a first-aid kit?

In short, yes, you do, for two main reasons.

First, travelling can be physically demanding and hard on the body. You may be introduced to foods that your stomach isn’t used to, or you might experience extreme temperatures. Plus, it’s easy to catch a bug when you’re tired, stressed out or a bit overwhelmed, and you’re travelling on a crowded plane or public transport.

Second, the last thing you want to do if you injure yourself or start feeling unwell is to have to head out to find a local drugstore, where you realise you have no idea what to buy. It’s better to have your own over-the-counter medicine from home to hand, especially as you’re already familiar with the brand names.

What should I have in my first-aid kit?

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Bandages (and band-aids designed for blisters, as you’re probably going to go for hikes or walk more than usual in your new environment!)
• Antiseptic spray
• Electrolyte powder sachets (for dehydration)
• Antihistamines
• Medication for motion sickness
• Over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol)
• Medication for digestive and/or gut issues (e.g. anti-diarrhoea tablets, heartburn medication, laxatives, lactase enzyme pills, etc.)
• Throat lozenges or cough drops
• Cold and flu medication (e.g. nasal spray, decongestants)
• Sunscreen (especially in countries where the hole in the ozone layer makes it easy to get sunburn, like Australia and New Zealand) and aloe vera or aftersun (for sunburn relief)
• Bug repellent and bug-bite relief (ever heard of sandflies and mosquitoes?!)
• Your preferred contraception method (e.g. birth control pill)
• Any prescription medications you have to take (more on this below).

Tip: It’s always a good idea to see your family doctor before the trip. Get a general checkup and review what medications you may need while travelling.

What about prescription drugs?

If you’re on any prescription-only medication, the best solution is to bring enough supply for a full year. Some specific medications may not be available abroad. Keep your medication in the original box or container with your doctor’s prescription, as customs may ask to see it.

Some countries will restrict the amount of prescription medication you can carry (e.g. Canada will only allow you to bring 90 days’ worth). If you are unable to bring enough medication with you for the duration of your stay, you can always attend a walk-in clinic in your WHV country and ask for a new prescription. Make sure to have up-to-date health history info and a copy of the prescription you normally get at home, to help the doctor prescribe the right type of medication.

What should I do for bigger health concerns?

A band-aid or over-the-counter painkiller might do the trick sometimes, but in more serious situations, you will need to see a healthcare professional. Keep in mind that healthcare can be very expensive abroad, even for common illnesses—as a temporary resident, you won’t benefit from the health insurance system typically offered to citizens and permanent residents.

The smart move is to buy health insurance coverage before the trip, even if proof of insurance isn’t required as part of your WHV application. We’ve heard from many travellers who didn’t have health insurance and ended up paying thousands—or even tens of thousands—out of pocket for healthcare.

Travel insurance offered by many credit cards won’t cover you—it’s handy for a short holiday but long-term stays are usually excluded.  

Whenever you have to seek medical help, make sure you keep copies of the receipts, especially if you have to pay upfront. You will need to provide evidence to your insurance company when you make a claim, otherwise you won’t be reimbursed.  

For more tips on how to stay safe during your WHV adventure, check out some of our other articles:

• Top 10 safety tips for solo travellers
• Everything you need to know about insurance for working holiday and other adventures abroad