Most default super fund TPD policies use the "any occupation" definition — meaning you must be unable to work in any occupation suited to your education, training and experience, not just your previous job. This is a harder threshold to satisfy, but it's far from impossible. The key is strategy.
Understand exactly what "any occupation" means
"Any occupation" does not mean any job that exists in the economy. It means any occupation suited to your specific education, training and experience. A 55-year-old former heavy machinery operator with a year 10 education cannot be expected to become a management consultant. The definition must be applied to your actual background.
Medical evidence strategy
Your medical evidence must establish that your functional limitations prevent you from performing any work within your skill set, not just your last job. This requires:
- A detailed functional assessment — not just "cannot work as a [previous role]" but "cannot perform sedentary/light/medium physical work generally"
- Cognitive limitations if relevant — concentration, memory, processing, reliability
- A direct specialist opinion on your overall capacity for employment
Vocational evidence strategy
Commission an independent vocational assessment. The assessor should identify your transferable skills, then demonstrate — taking into account your functional limitations — that no realistic employment options exist within your skill set. See our vocational assessment guide.
Addressing the insurer's alternative jobs
Insurers commonly nominate theoretical alternative roles. Challenge each one: does it actually exist in your location? Can you perform it given your specific limitations? Does it match your skill level? A vocational expert can demolish poorly-reasoned alternatives effectively. Start with a free eligibility check.