TPD claim guides & resources
Clear, practical answers to help you understand your Total & Permanent Disability entitlements.
My Super Insurance Was Cancelled — Can I Still Claim TPD?
If your super insurance was switched off under 'Protecting Your Super' rules, you may still be able to claim — what matters is when you became unable to work.
TPD Claims for Temporary Residents & Visa Holders
If you worked in Australia on a visa, you may have TPD cover in your super. Here's how claims work for temporary residents.
Average TPD Payout in Australia (2026 Figures)
Averages only tell you so much — your own level of cover matters most. Still, the typical figures help set expectations.
Terminal Illness vs TPD Claims: What's the Difference?
Terminal illness and TPD claims serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you claim what you're actually entitled to.
TPD Claims for Office & Desk Workers
TPD isn't only for physical jobs. Office and desk workers can claim too when a condition prevents them from working.
TPD Claims for Police & Emergency Services
Emergency services work exposes you to physical danger and trauma. If you can no longer do the job, a TPD claim may be available.
TPD Claims for Miners & FIFO Workers
Mining and FIFO roles carry high injury and fatigue risk. If you can no longer do the work, a TPD claim may be available — often across several funds.
TPD Claims for Truck & Bus Drivers
Professional driving is physically demanding and safety-critical. If injury or illness has ended your driving career, a TPD claim may be available.
TPD Claims for Nurses & Healthcare Workers
Nurses and healthcare workers face injury and burnout at high rates. If you can no longer do the work, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for Epilepsy?
Poorly controlled epilepsy can make many jobs unsafe or impossible. If it has stopped you working, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for Vision or Hearing Loss?
Serious vision or hearing loss can make many jobs impossible. If it has ended your working life, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome can make reliable work impossible. If it has stopped you working, a TPD claim may be possible.
Can I Claim TPD for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis can affect mobility, energy and cognition, making work impossible over time. A TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for a Shoulder Injury?
A serious shoulder injury can make manual work impossible. If yours has ended your career, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for a Knee Injury?
A serious knee injury can make physically demanding work impossible. If yours has ended your career, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for Diabetes?
Diabetes itself, and its complications, can stop you working. If that's your situation, a TPD claim may be possible.
Can I Claim TPD for Arthritis?
Severe arthritis can make physical work impossible. If it has stopped you working, a TPD claim may be available through your super.
Can I Claim TPD for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia can be debilitating and hard to document. If they've stopped you working, a TPD claim may be possible.
Can I Claim TPD for Depression?
Depression can be every bit as disabling as a physical injury. If it has stopped you working, a TPD claim may be available.
TPD Claims in the Northern Territory: A 2026 Guide
If you're in the NT and illness or injury has stopped you working, you may have a TPD benefit in your super. Here's how it works.
TPD Claims in the ACT: A 2026 Guide
If you're in Canberra or the ACT and can no longer work due to illness or injury, you may have a TPD benefit in your super. Here's how it works.
TPD Claims in Tasmania: A 2026 Guide
If you're in Tasmania and illness or injury has stopped you working, you may have a TPD benefit in your super. Here's how it works.
TPD Claims in Western Australia: A 2026 Guide
If you're in WA and can no longer work due to illness or injury, you may have a TPD benefit in your super. Here's how it works.
TPD Claims in Queensland: A 2026 Guide
If you're in Queensland and illness or injury has ended your working life, you may have a TPD benefit in your super. Here's how it works.
TPD Claims in Victoria: A 2026 Guide
If you're in Victoria and can no longer work due to illness or injury, a TPD benefit may be sitting in your super. Here's how it works.
TPD Claims in NSW: A 2026 Guide
If you're in NSW and illness or injury has stopped you working, you may have a TPD benefit waiting in your super. Here's how it works for residents.
UniSuper TPD Claim: How It Works
UniSuper serves the higher education and research sector and includes TPD cover for many members. Here's how a claim works.
Hostplus TPD Claim Guide
Hostplus serves hospitality, tourism and recreation workers, and includes TPD cover for many members. Here's how a claim works.
Rest Super TPD Claim: What to Know
Rest is a large fund popular with retail and casual workers. Here's how TPD cover and claims generally work.
Cbus TPD Claim Guide for Workers
Cbus is the industry fund for building and construction workers — an industry with high injury rates. Here's how a TPD claim works.
HESTA TPD Claim: How to Claim
HESTA is the industry fund for health and community services workers, and includes TPD cover for many members. Here's how a claim works.
Australian Retirement Trust TPD Claim Guide
Australian Retirement Trust (formed from Sunsuper and QSuper) includes TPD cover for many members. Here's how a claim works.
AustralianSuper TPD Claim: How It Works
As one of Australia's largest funds, AustralianSuper includes TPD insurance for many members. Here's how a claim generally works.
Can I Access My Super Early While My TPD Claim Is Assessed?
You can't withdraw your full balance until a TPD claim is approved, but there are limited ways to access some money sooner while you wait.
How to Find Lost Super & TPD Cover (myGov & ATO)
There's roughly $13.8 billion in lost and unclaimed super in Australia — and some of it carries TPD cover. Here's how to find yours.
Is There a Time Limit to Lodge a TPD Claim?
Many people assume they've missed the window for a TPD claim. Often they haven't — but time limits can apply, so understanding them matters.
TPD Waiting Periods Explained (3 vs 6 Months)
Before a TPD claim can be assessed, most policies require a period of continuous incapacity. Here's how the waiting period works.
What Medical Evidence Do You Need for a TPD Claim?
Insufficient medical evidence is the number one reason TPD claims are rejected. Here's what strong evidence actually looks like.
How to Make a TPD Claim: A Step-by-Step Guide
The TPD claim process follows a predictable path. Knowing the steps in advance makes it far less daunting — here's how it works from start to finish.
Own Occupation vs Any Occupation TPD: What's the Difference?
The single most important detail in your TPD policy is which disability definition applies. It can be the difference between an approved and a rejected claim.
Can I Claim TPD for a Workplace Injury?
A workplace injury that ends your career may support a TPD claim — often in addition to any workers compensation you receive.
Can I Claim TPD If I Can Still Work Part-Time?
Being able to do some light or part-time work doesn't automatically disqualify you. It depends on the definition that applies to your policy.
TPD vs Income Protection: What's the Difference?
TPD and income protection are different types of cover — and in some cases you can claim both. Here's how they compare.
What Medical Conditions Qualify for a TPD Claim?
There's no fixed list — what matters is whether your condition stops you working. But some conditions come up again and again.
TPD Claims for Tradies: Builders, Sparkies & Labourers
Physically demanding trades carry real injury risk. If you can no longer work on the tools, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Make a TPD Claim Years After I Stopped Working?
It's not always too late. Many Australians successfully lodge TPD claims years after they stopped working — if cover was in place at the time.
Can I Claim TPD After I've Already Left My Job?
Leaving your job doesn't automatically end your TPD rights. What matters most is your cover at the time you became unable to work.
How Long Does a TPD Claim Take to Pay Out?
TPD claim timeframes vary. Straightforward claims may resolve in months; complex or disputed ones take longer. Here's what drives the difference.
Will a TPD Payout Affect My Centrelink Payments?
A TPD lump sum can interact with Centrelink means testing. Here's the general picture — and why getting advice first matters.
Is My TPD Payout Taxed in Australia?
TPD benefits paid from super can be taxed — but how much depends on your age and how the benefit is paid. Here's the general picture.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a TPD Claim?
You can lodge a TPD claim yourself, but support often makes the difference — especially with definitions, evidence and disputes.
Can I Claim TPD If I'm Self-Employed or a Contractor?
Working for yourself doesn't rule you out. Many self-employed Australians have TPD cover inside their super without realising.
Can I Claim TPD After a Heart Attack or Stroke?
If a heart attack or stroke has left you unable to return to work, you may be entitled to a TPD payout from your super.
Can I Claim TPD for Cancer?
If cancer or its treatment has stopped you from working, you may be able to claim a TPD lump sum from your super.
Can I Claim TPD for PTSD?
PTSD is a recognised and serious basis for TPD claims — particularly for first responders, defence personnel and frontline workers.
Can I Claim TPD for Anxiety?
Anxiety can be every bit as disabling as a physical injury. If it has stopped you working, a TPD claim may be available.
Can I Claim TPD for a Back Injury?
Back injuries are one of the leading reasons Australians stop working. If yours has ended your career, a TPD claim may be possible.
Can I Claim TPD Across Multiple Super Funds?
If you hold cover across several super funds, you may be able to claim against each — significantly increasing your total TPD payout.
How Do I Find Out If I Have TPD Insurance in My Super?
Most working Australians have TPD insurance bundled into their super by default — often without realising. Here's how to check.
Can I Claim TPD If I Can No Longer Do My Job?
Being unable to keep doing your job because of injury or illness is the core trigger for a TPD claim. Here's what 'unable to work' actually means.
How Much Is My TPD Claim Worth? Understanding TPD Payouts
There's no single number — but understanding what drives TPD payout amounts helps you estimate what your claim could be worth.
TPD Claims in Adelaide & South Australia: A 2026 Local Guide
If you're in Adelaide or regional SA and illness or injury has stopped you working, you may have a TPD benefit waiting. Here's how it works for South Australians.
Can You Claim TPD for a Mental Health Condition? Yes — Here's How
Mental health conditions are one of the leading causes of successful TPD claims in Australia. Here's what you need to know if a psychological condition has stopped you working.
Your TPD Claim Was Rejected — Here's What You Can Do Next
A knock-back is common — and far from final. Here are the usual reasons TPD claims are rejected and what you can realistically do about it.
Am I Eligible for a TPD Claim? The 5 Questions That Matter Most
Eligibility for TPD comes down to a handful of key factors. Run through these five questions to gauge whether a claim could be worth pursuing.
What Is a TPD Claim? A Plain-English Guide for Australians (2026)
If illness or injury has stopped you from working, you may have a TPD benefit sitting inside your super that you don't know about. Here's how TPD claims actually work in Australia.
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