- 74% of Australians took at least one trip during off-peak times in 2024
- 10% more Aussies will travel off-peak this year
- 84% of parents would take their kids out of school to enjoy off-peak travel
A new survey has found that 84 per cent of Aussie travellers will avoid at least one peak school holiday period this year to evade higher prices, congestion and travel disruptions – a 10 per cent increase on 2024. A staggering 82 per cent of those with school-aged children say they would remove them from school to travel outside of school holiday periods for these reasons.
The findings follow the loss of two domestic airlines in 2024, decreasing competition and seat capacity, all contributing to airfare hikes. Bonza went into liquidation in April 2024 after less than 18 months in operation[1] while Rex suspended its major city routes in July 2024.[2] Airfares subsequently increased since July 2024, with the average revenue per passenger jumping by 13.3 per cent to September 2024. Seat capacity also fell by six per cent while passenger numbers persisted. Airline reliability has also fluctuated with average cancellation rates sitting at two per cent for September and on-time arrival rates at 75 per cent, representing more than 10,000 late arrivals.[3]
Award-winning travel insurance provider Insure&Go commissioned a survey of an independent, nationally representative panel of 1006 Australians to gauge how this landscape was affecting travel habits. In 2024, a whopping 74 per cent of respondents holidayed at least once during off-peak periods or low season due to higher prices and the risk of congestion and travel disruptions. This year, 84 per cent intend to avoid travelling during school holidays at least once for the same reasons.
[1] The inside story behind Bonza’s collapse – Australian Aviation
[2] Domestic airline competition in Australia
[3] https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/domestic-airline-competition-australia-november2024.pdf
Thirty percent of parents would take children out of school for off-peak travel
Among the 59 per cent of respondents who had school-aged children, 30 per cent were in favour of taking kids out of school for between two to three days to avoid the school holidays. Another 33 per cent would take their kids out of school for a week, with younger parents aged 18-29 the most likely to holiday for up to a week during the school term.
In most states, parents are legally liable for ensuring their children attend school and for explaining their absences. In most instances, travel is not accepted as a reason for non-attendance unless approved by the school.
Victorian mother-of-three Karen Casey made special arrangements with her children’s primary school when her family took a six-week trip around Australia a few years ago. On a more recent occasion, her family travelled within the final few days of the school term to avoid congestion, delays and higher airfares and accommodation prices.
She says: “When we took our extended trip around Australia we made arrangements with the school for the kids to complete work while on the road. They were also having unique experiences at the places we visited and they learnt and grew so much from that too. For a more recent and shorter interstate trip, we left a few days before the holidays started to get cheaper airfares and accommodation, to avoid the notorious delays at the airports and to fit in with my husband’s and my work schedules. The schools my children attend often set curriculum days on the last day of term. In that last week the kids have usually completed the term’s work and classes consist of term-end parties and extra-curricular activities. We didn’t feel like they would be falling behind in that time if we were to start our holiday a couple of days early to take advantage of prices and timelines that suited our budget and schedules.”
Karen Casey homeschooling her children during a six-week holiday around Australia.
Domestic travel most popular off-peak
The Insure&Go survey found that in 2024, 40 per cent of respondents travelled during off-peak or low seasons for domestic holidays, compared with 16 per cent for international holidays. Those aged 30-49 (41%) and over 50 (40%) are most likely to have travelled domestically during off-peak times. Under-30s are most likely to have taken advantage of off-peak or low seasons for international travel (23%), though off-peak domestic travel remained the priority for this age group last year (39%).
Insure&Go, Commercial & Marketing Director, David Mayo says: “These figures reflect some of the lifestyle and budget restraints confronting Australians right now. School terms funnel their holidays into set periods, increasing demand on flights, accommodation and other travel necessities – and inevitably pushing prices up and creating congestion at airports and holiday destinations. We understand people want to avoid the trials of those peak periods but not everyone has that flexibility. Travel insurance that covers cancellations can be an essential safety net if things don’t go as planned.”
| To avoid peak prices and risks of travel disruptions, have you travelled during off-peak times or low season in 2024? | % of all respondents | 18-29-year-olds | 30-49-year-olds | Over-50s |
| Yes, for domestic holidays | 40% | 39% | 41% | 40% |
| Yes, for international holidays | 16% | 23% | 16% | 12% |
| Yes, for both domestic and international holidays | 18% | 23% | 25% | 11% |
| For the same reason (peak prices, congestion and disruptions), would you travel during the school term and avoid the school holiday periods in 2025? | % of all respondents | 18-29-year-olds | 30-49-year-olds | Over-50s |
| Yes, for at least one trip | 46% | 47% | 53% | 40% |
| Yes, for two or more trips | 18% | 29% | 20% | 11% |
| Yes, for most of my trips | 20% | 15% | 14% | 26% |
| To avoid the peak prices, congestion, and/or disruptions, would you take your kids out of school to travel during the school term and avoid the school holiday period altogether? | % of all respondents with school-aged children | Under-30s parents | Parents aged 30-49 | Over-50s parents |
| Yes, for only 2-3 days during school term | 30% | 26% | 36% | 26% |
| Yes, for up to a week during school term | 33% | 39% | 36% | 24% |
| Yes, for up to two weeks during school term | 14% | 23% | 10% | 14% |
| Yes, for up to a month during school term | 4% | 2% | 3% | 5% |
| Yes, for an entire school term | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Ewenson | 0409 079 559 | sewenson@theideassuite.com.au
About InsureandGo
InsureandGo (InsureandGo.com.au) is one of Australia’s award-winning online travel insurance specialists. Since it was established in Australia in 2012, InsureandGo has covered more than 2 million Australian travellers. Owned by Europ Assistance, which operates in more than 200 countries, InsureandGo has an expansive, 24/7 global assistance network. InsureandGo Australia has won numerous awards and recommendations for its services including the 2024 Canstar Award for Outstanding Value in ‘Outstanding Value – International Travel Insurance’ for the second consecutive year and ‘Outstanding Value – Seniors Travel Insurance’ for the third consecutive year, the 2024 WeMoney Award for ‘Best for Seniors Travel Insurance’ for the second consecutive year, the 2023 Finder Award for Travel Insurance – Domestic, and the 2023 WeMoney Award for ‘Best for Value – Cruise Travel Insurance’. More information about InsureandGo’s awards can be found here: https://www.insureandgo.com.au/travel-insurance-awards/.
This insurance is underwritten by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited (MSI), ABN 49 000 525 637, AFSL 240816. Europ Assistance Australia Pty Ltd, ACN 140 219 594, AFSL 552106, trading as InsureandGo and other brands, holds a binding authority from the insurer, MSI to issue contracts of insurance and to deal with or settle claims on MSI’s behalf and as MSI’s agent. Any advice is general advice only and does not take account of your particular circumstances. Before purchasing, decide whether this product is right for you. Consider the PDS and TMD at www.insureandgo.com.au/policy-wordings.