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Updated 15/05/2023

A Guide To Income Protection in Australia

Income protection insurance is something you'll hope you'll never need to use, but if you suddenly get injured or become ill and need financial help to cope with everyday expenses, it can be a great source of comfort.

But it's quite natural to ask if the cost is worth it, or how does it all work? Or what do I get if I need to claim?

Here, we arm you with all the information you need about income protection insurance so you can decide what fits best within your needs and budget.

Let's break it down.

Key Points

  • Income protection insurance replaces lost income when you're unable to work due to an illness or accident.

  • Most people pay just a few dollars a day for income protection, however coverage and prices vary.

  • The premiums you pay for income protection insurance are generally 100% tax-deductible.

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What is income protection insurance?

What would happen if a freak accident or sudden illness prevented you from working for a while?

It's the type of question that can keep you awake at night, especially if finances are tight.

But it really shouldn't.

It's where income protection insurance can kick in.

It replaces a percentage of lost income when you're unable to work due to an illness or accident.

This means it can help you continue to pay off your mortgage, cover your rent, pay off credit cards and other debts, buy groceries and generally maintain your standard of living.

It's a type of insurance that provides you with monthly payments that replace up to 70% of what your income is at the time you submit a claim.

You receive the payments while you're unable to work or up until a cut off point, called the benefit period, whichever happens first.

What does income protection cover?

As we've mentioned, this insurance covers a certain portion of your income for a set period of time if you're unable to work due to an accident or an illness.

So if you break a bone or need psychiatric care and can't work but have an Income Protection policy, you can rest easy knowing that you still have money coming into your bank account.

There's a couple of things to be aware of though.

Firstly, income protection does not cover redundancy - it only covers illness or accidents.

Secondly, you'll only be paid for the benefit period, which typically ranges from 1, 2 or 5 years, or up to the age of 65, depending on your insurer.

This means that if the benefit period is two years, for example, you won't be paid after that two year period even if you're still unable to work.

In this case, total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance may be a better option to protect you from being permanently unable to work.

You can read more about TPD here.

But what income protection is good at is keeping you more financially stable while you recover.

If cash flow concerns you, then income protection could be a solution.

How does income protection cover work?

As mentioned, the portion of income you're covered for typically equates to 70% of your income at the time you submit your claim.

However, this can vary.

You can also choose to receive a smaller portion of your total income if you want to keep the premium you pay to a minimum.

Income protection policies are offered under an indemnity contract and they insure you for what you're earning in the 12 months prior to the time of a claim.

If your salary has risen or fallen since you took out the policy, then that's what the insurer will look at.

Here's one example: if you've switched to part-time work from full-time and your income has dropped as you've reduced your hours, then you may receive less than you would have had you made a claim while working full-time.

That said, the insurers will look at the past 12 months to assess pre-disability income. There may be exceptions to this for things like maternity leave, on a case by case basis.

This varies from insurer to insurer, so it's worth speaking to a specialist who can help find a policy that suits your needs.

You may have also heard of agreed value policies, where you nominate a fixed amount to receive at the time you start your policy.

These were discontinued in March 2020 but many people who currently have income protection will be on this type of policy.

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When can you claim on your income protection insurance?

You can make a claim if you are sick or injured and unable to return to work for a period of time that exceeds the waiting period on your policy. You may be required to provide evidence to ensure you meet the insurer's definition of being unable to work.

The illnesses and injuries that are "covered" and their definitions will vary from policy to policy.

As getting an appropriate level of income protection cover can be a time consuming process, it can be helpful to speak to an expert, like those at Compare Club, who can search policies that best fit your needs.

Generally anything from a tiny bone breaking to a massive heart attack will be covered, depending on your occupation.

It always pays, though, to read through the product disclosure statement to get clear on exactly what's covered and what's not covered.

Does income protection cover redundancy, pregnancy or loss of work?

No, income protection insurance is not to be confused with redundancy insurance, which offers limited financial protection in the case of involuntary redundancy.

You also can't claim against your income protection insurance if you're pregnant, lose your job or are stood down.

What are the waiting periods for income protection insurance?

Income protection policies usually have a short "waiting period", but you can lodge your claim right away.

This period is the amount of time you must be out of work before you start receiving benefits, which is generally between 30 days and two years.

The longer the waiting period, the less you will generally pay for the policy.

When it comes to waiting periods, things like the amount of sick leave and annual leave you have available and the amount of savings you have in the bank will help you work out whether you can accept the waiting period on offer.

How much does income protection insurance cost?

This is probably the question you've been waiting for.

And while we can't give you an exact answer, most people will pay around a few dollars a day. That's right, just the cost of a daily cup of coffee.

Coverage and prices do vary, though, so it always pays to shop around and compare.

There are a number of factors that will affect how much your policy costs, including:

  • Age: the older you get, the higher the premiums

  • Medical history and health: smokers or people with pre-existing medical conditions will pay more

  • Occupation: higher risk jobs translate to higher premiums

  • Your earnings: bigger bucks mean bigger premiums

  • Stepped vs level premiums:

    • stepped premiums start out cheaper and increase as you get older

    • level premiums have a more consistent cost over time and often work out cheaper in the long run. Premiums will rise if insurers put up their policy, but any higher costs aren't linked to your age.

  • The type of policy, waiting period and benefit period.

Income Protection

Income Protection


Is income protection tax deductible?

Yes, the premiums you pay for insurance against loss of income are generally tax-deductible.

It always pays, though, to check in with your tax specialist or accountant to confirm this will apply in your situation.

Do income protection premiums include GST?

No need to worry about GST as this type of insurance doesn't attract GST.

Do I really need income protection insurance?

While it depends on your situation, there are usually benefits in having income protection insurance if you earn an income.

If you're the sole breadwinner in the family, have children or have a mortgage, you may find it valuable or reassuring to have.

Like most insurance, you'll hope to never need your income protection insurance, but rest easier knowing you can use it if you need to.

If you're lucky enough to never have to make a claim, you'll still find value in the peace of mind it provides.

Are there alternatives to income protection insurance?

One type of cover that leads some people to decide against income protection is workers compensation. However, this only helps if you're injured in a work-related incident. Income protection is broader, applying to covered illness and injury outside of work.

There's also life insurance. Some people decide this is the type of security they want, though it doesn't replace income protection insurance.

Often people think of life insurance only in terms of an amount payable on their death.

It does provide a lump sum payout in the event that you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness, however it can also include:

  • Trauma Insurance, which covers you for certain cancers, heart attack, stroke and other conditions, regardless of your ability to work.

  • Total & Permanent Disability Insurance, to assist you if you become totally and permanently disabled.

Sometimes, a combination of insurance gives the right type of security.

With some insurers offering a multi-policy or loyalty discounts, it can be cost-effective to buy life insurance in combination with income protection insurance.

Is there a best income protection policy?

There isn't a "best policy" but there is one that's most suited to you. It really depends on you, your situation, your needs and your goals.

To find the policy that suits you best, you'll need to compare more than just the price of premiums and look at the features of the policy as well.

Look at other important things, like coverage, the waiting period, the benefits period, "covered" illnesses and injuries and more to work out if it suits your needs and represents good value compared to other policies.

You should be aiming to strike a balance between how much cover you need and how much you can afford.

This can be a time consuming process and one option is to use a comparison service.

For example, the experts at Compare Club will conduct an in-depth comparison of income protection insurers from our trusted panel to try and find options for you.

While everybody's needs are different, so not all policies will be suitable, our team will review the benefits they offer and try to find a policy at an affordable price.

This service is offered free of obligation and cost, all you need to do is fill out our online form.

Now that your questions about income protection insurance have been answered, you probably have a good idea about whether this type of insurance - which may just cost a few dollars a day - will benefit you and your family.

So, are you ready to take the next step? Speak to our experts today and see how they can help you.

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​​The information contained in this guide is of general nature only and has been prepared without taking into consideration your objectives, needs and financial situation. As such, it is important that you consider the appropriateness of any advice and the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS) before proceeding. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.

Matthew Lang is the general manager of life insurance at Compare Club. Matthew leads a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their life insurance needs. Whether it's finding the right coverage for your specific circumstances, comparing policies, or optimizing your existing policy, Matthew and his team are here to provide expert guidance and support.

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Meet our life insurance expert, Matthew Lang

Matthew's top life insurance tips

  • 1

    Identify what you want out of life insurance before you buy. Knowing the purpose of your life cover will help you choose a policy that meets your needs.

  • 2

    It's easy to assume that the sole purpose of life cover is to leave money behind for your family, but there's more to it than that.

  • 3

    Life insurers like those on our panel pay an average of 97% of claims in full.

  • 4

    There are different types of life insurance, including term life insurance, income protection, trauma cover and total and permanent disability cover.