Pre-Departure and International SOS

All Deakin Abroad students must attend a compulsory pre-departure session at least six weeks before leaving Australia. These sessions provide essential information, including immunisation guidance.

Sessions are held online or at Burwood and Geelong campuses, timed with cohort departures. Not attending may result in removal from the program. If you’re unable to attend, contact your program coordinator for alternatives.

Students joining a trimester program will receive session details by email.

Date	Time	Delivery	Link
Friday 1 May	11am	Virtual	Register now
Tuesday 19 May	11am	Virtual	Register now
Wednesday 10 June	11am	Virtual	Register now

International SOS Support

Deakin partners with International SOS to provide medical, safety, and travel risk support before and during your program. This service is available to all students on approved international programs.

International SOS is your first point of contact for any non-emergency, health and security related enquiries.

Before you travel, International SOS can help with:

Vaccination advice and travel safety tips
Medical consultations (physical or emotional)
Travel security and risk assessments

While abroad, they offer:

24/7 emergency assistance
Help finding doctors or pharmacies
Support for injury, safety concerns, or mental health

What to do before departure

Download the International SOS app for alerts and information.
Upload your itinerary to My Trips either manually or by forwarding your e-ticket to DeakinUniTravel@itinerary.internationalsos.com using your Deakin email address.
Read your country guide at Internationalsos.com using Deakin’s membership login available from the International travel insurance page.

While travelling

Contact International SOS at the first sign of trouble.
Update your details on My Trips if you have purchased a local SIM.
When your itinerary changes, update your travel details via My Trips either manually or by forwarding your e-ticket to DeakinUniTravel@itinerary.internationalsos.com.

Frequently asked questions

Who is International SOS?

International SOS is the world’s leading medical and security services company. Global services include medical and security risk planning, in-country expertise and emergency response for travellers.

The service includes a comprehensive, members-only website (internationalsos.com) and 26 assistance centres around the world. With over 54 international SOS clinics and a fleet of air ambulances, members are assured of the very best routine or emergency medical and security assistance. International SOS have a presence in over 850 sites in 70 countries with more than 11,000 employees, led by 1400 physicians and 200 security specialists.

When do I call International SOS?

You can call with a simple medical, security or travel related question or in an emergency. As member you get 24-hour expert advice and assistance – whether you need vaccinations before travelling; medical advice while abroad; or immediate care in a medical emergency. International SOS assistance services are designed to help you with any medical, personal, travel or legal problems when you are outside your home country.

What is an assistance centre?

Is International SOS an insurance company?

No, they are a 24-hour medical assistance company. Simplified, insurance takes care of the bills and International SOS help to keep our travellers safe, healthy and secure around the world, by helping you thoroughly prepare before travel. International SOS also provide expert advice, referral assistance, medical monitoring, activating ambulances, alerting the emergency staff if required, arranging hotel/ home visits, arranging bedside nursing, supported by in-house doctors, nurses and security professionals.

International SOS’s medical staff credential a worldwide network of providers, with signed agreements with many of these providers. They are able to provide guarantee of payments on your behalf in most cases.

Do I have to pay to use International SOS services?

Will International SOS pay my medical bills?

Many countries around the world have medical systems that require upfront payment before treatment, even in an emergency. International SOS will guarantee and pay up-front costs associated with your medical care to ensure you receive immediate treatment, liaising with Deakin where required. Given our worldwide presence, many providers are accustomed to working with our teams.

Do I need to activate my membership?

What information should I have available before calling International SOS?

To ensure a prompt response when calling, you should be prepared to provide the following:

You will be asked for basic contact information so International SOS can call you back if you get cut-off or are on international roaming;
You will need to provide a brief description of your issue or concern so you can be put through to the appropriate medical or security consultant;
You may be asked personal questions, the information you provide is bound by privacy laws, please speak frankly with your consultant so you can receive the best possible care and advice;
Provide your membership number (this can be found on the mobile app) – it’s ok if you don’t have this, International SOS will still assist you.

Does International SOS have any helpful pre-travel information available?

Yes, in addition to calling the assistance centre for any pre-trip questions you may have, you can access the country guides by logging in with your membership number at internationalsos.com or by browsing the International SOS Assistance App. You can access this comprehensive and up-to-date site providing essential information including the following:

vaccination requirements
passport and visa requirements
quality of health care
advice on prevalent diseases
personal and driving safety information
hygiene: quality of food and water
culture and customs
currency
weather and what clothes to take
compatibility of electrical items
personal safety advice.