Will my passport expiry date be extended?
I followed up with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and it appears those expiry dates weve been staring at for the past 18 months are indeed set in stone, with no extensions in sight. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) sets international passport standards, and our passports have the maximum validity ICAO recommends  also reflected in our legislation. Another reason the expiry dates on our passports wont be extended is that it isnt technically possible. The expiry date is written onto the electronic chip, and amending the chip makes the passport unusable. If only! I wouldnt be holding my breath. My advice would be to look past your frustrations and renew if you can. If new travel bubbles open up, the Australian Passport Office may be inundated with applications, which could see a delay on your own application. Remember also that most countries require travellers to have a passport thats valid for at least six months so renewing sooner rather than later increases your chances of getting out and about once more bubbles open (even if we have to begrudgingly pay a little more than expected for the opportunity). Cheap travel insurance for seniors  Weve booked a five-day cruise from Brisbane to Airlie Beach next March, but the cost of seniors travel insurance is ridiculous, with the insurers we contacted stating cruises are considered international travel. I can appreciate that the cost of seniors travel insurance post-outbreak can be eye-watering, but the reason for this is that the risk of a mishap on a cruise is largely unchanged whether youre cruising domestically or overseas. Cruise ships, unfortunately, are not obligated to have an Australian doctor on board, which means even if youre travelling on an Australian coastal cruise, a visit to the ships doctor will leave you out-of-pocket as your cruise is outside the scope of Medicare, explains Maureen Mullins from Cover-More Travel Insurance. In light of the pandemic, travel insurers have adapted their policies to ensure all passengers are covered medically, and in relation to this they have priced their products accordingly. Natalie Ball from Compare Travel Insurance says that while reasonably priced can be quite subjective, travel insurers including 1Cover, Fast Cover and Zoom Travel Insurance are selling policies for cruising Australian waters. Its also worth noting that domestic cruises are not considered international travel by Allianz Australia; you simply select your destination, then buy a Cruise Pack add-on, which includes medical and evacuation cover while cruising. Allianz travel insurance now also provides medical or cancellation cover if a customer contracts Covid-19 before or during travel, and will provide a premium refund if the cruise is cancelled or changed as a result of the pandemic. The cost of cover with the insurers listed here rely on your individual needs, but they should be a good starting point to help you find something at a lower cost. See also: