What is income protection?
Income protection (IP) pays a regular monthly benefit when illness or injury stops you working. Where TPD usually pays a one-off lump sum for permanent conditions, IP replaces part of your income while you're temporarily unable to work — generally until you return, or for a maximum benefit period set by the policy.
Plenty of Australians hold income protection through their super fund without realising it.
Who may be eligible?
- you're temporarily unable to work because of illness or injury
- you held IP cover at the time you stopped working
- you've served any required waiting period (often 30 to 90 days)
- your condition is backed by medical evidence
IP and TPD can work together. If a condition that starts out temporary becomes permanent, you may move from an IP claim to a TPD claim — and many people qualify for both. A Free Claim Check helps clarify what applies.
How much does it pay?
IP typically replaces up to 75% of your pre-disability income, usually capped at a monthly maximum stated in your policy. Payments run for the benefit period set out in the policy — sometimes two years, sometimes five, sometimes to a set age.
Why people claim
- recovering from surgery or a major illness
- mental health conditions affecting work capacity
- injuries from accidents at work, on the road or playing sport
- cancer treatment and recovery
- chronic conditions causing a temporary inability to work
How CantWork helps
We help you check whether you hold IP cover, whether your situation may qualify, and what a sensible next step looks like. It starts with a Free Claim Check, so you have clarity before you invest time and energy.
Not sure if this applies to you?
Start with a Free Claim Check — we'll help you understand if there's a pathway worth exploring.
Start Free Claim Check →