TPD definitions compared: own occupation vs any occupation across 11 Australian insurers
General advice warning: This information is factual and general in nature only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on it, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination. The definition that applies to any policy is the one shown in that policy's schedule, which may differ from the PDS versions cited here.
The short answer: every one of the eleven retail TPD products compared on this page uses a three-consecutive-month qualification period in its occupational definition - but that is where the similarity ends. The products differ in the alternative ways you can qualify (whole-person impairment percentages, activities-of-daily-living tests, loss of limbs or sight), in whether an own-occupation definition can be connected to super, in what the definition becomes at older ages, and in when the cover ends entirely. Those differences are set out below, quoted directly from each insurer's PDS.
This page was compiled by reading the current PDS of each product listed. Every quote is verbatim, with the PDS version and date cited. Nothing on this page ranks or recommends any product - which definition suits a person depends on their occupation, structure and circumstances.
What is the difference between own occupation and any occupation TPD?
An own occupation TPD definition assesses whether you are ever likely to work again in the occupation you were working in before your disability. An any occupation definition assesses whether you are ever likely to work again in any occupation suited to your education, training or experience - in most of the products below, only counting occupations that would pay at least 25% of your previous earnings.
Because "unable to do your own job again" is an easier test to meet than "unable to do any suited job again", own-occupation definitions cost more, are restricted to certain occupations at most insurers, and - under superannuation law - are not offered directly inside super by any product on this page.
Summary: TPD definitions across the eleven products
| Product (insurer) | Definitions offered | Own occupation via super? | What changes at older ages | Max TPD at application | Cover ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIA Priority Protection (AIA Australia) | Own Occ; Any Occ; Universal (Occ. Cat. E); Home Duties | Via "Maximiser" or "Superannuation PLUS" linked structures | Converts to a Loss of Independence benefit after expiry, to age 100 (conditions apply) | $5M Any Occ / $3M Own Occ | 70th, 65th or 55th birthday by occupation category (policy anniversary prior) |
| ClearView ClearChoice (ClearView Life Assurance) | Any Occ; Own Occ (non-super only); TPD Super Solutions; Non-Occupational | Via "TPD Super Solutions" split | At 65, all TPD becomes the Non-Occupational definition; $3M cap | $3M personal / $5M business | Policy anniversary after 70 |
| Zurich (OnePath) OneCare (Zurich Australia) | Any Occ; Own Occ; Business; Home-maker; Non-working; SuperLink variants | Via "SuperLink" | At 65 converts to Non-working (white-collar can keep Own/Any to 70 on first $1M); post-65 cap $3M | $5M ($10M Business) | Age 100 (65 in most SuperLink structures) |
| Zurich Wealth Protection (Zurich Australia) | Own Occ; Any Occ; Domestic Duties; Modified (Platinum TPD or TPD tiers) | Via "superannuation optimiser" | From 65, only the modified TPD definition applies; cover above $3M reduces | $5M ($2M Domestic Duties) | Age 99 (65 if linked to trauma) |
| TAL Accelerated Protection (TAL Life) | Any Occ; Own Occ (not in super); ADL | Via "Superlink TPD" | Cover simply ends - no older-age conversion | $3M ($5M specified occupations) | Policy anniversary before 65 |
| MetLife Protect (MetLife Insurance) | Standard TPD (Any Occ + Limited Earnings + Home Duties + General Disability + Loss of Limbs/Sight); Own Occ as extra-cost Option | Own Occ Option held outside super alongside Standard Cover in super | From 65, Any Occ requires 20+ hrs/week work in prior 6 months, else ADL-based test; Own Occ Option expires at 65 | $5M ($1M if applying after 60) | Standard: 75. Own Occ Option: 65 |
| Encompass Protection (Nippon Life Australia t/a Acenda) | Own Occ; Any Occ; Super TPD (+ Home Duties rules) | Via "Split TPD Cover" | Cover ends at policy anniversary after 65 | $3M | Policy anniversary after 65 |
| NEOS Protection (insured by NobleOak Life) | Own Occ; Any Occ; Super TPD | Via "Split TPD Cover" | After 70, definition becomes loss of independent existence / loss of use of limbs / blindness; $3M cap | $3M | Age 99 (80 inside super) |
| Futura Protection (NobleOak Life) | Own Occ; Any Occ; Super TPD | Via "Split TPD Cover" | From 65, definition becomes loss of independent existence / loss of use of limbs / blindness; $3M cap | $3M | Age 99 (80 inside super) |
| NobleOak Premium Life Direct (NobleOak Life - direct product) | Own Occ; Any Occ; Domestic Duties | Super members must meet Any Occupation | From 65, must meet Loss of Limbs/Sight or Loss of Independence; sum insured reduces 10%/yr | $5M | Policy anniversary after 75 |
| Acenda Insurance / Acenda Insurance (Super) (Nippon Life Australia t/a Acenda) | Any Occ; Own Occ (outside super); Severity (with Any/Own Occ); Home Duties; Loss of Independence (from 65) | Via "TPD Optimiser" | From the Review Date after 65, definition becomes Loss of Independence ("non-work based criteria") | $5M certain professional occupations / $3M other | Review Date at age 100 (outside super); 74 Extension to Life inside super; 65 Extension to Critical Illness |
All facts from the PDS versions listed at the bottom of this page. Table current as at 16 August 2026.
Can you hold an own occupation TPD definition through super?
No product on this page offers an own-occupation definition directly inside super - superannuation law's permanent incapacity condition of release is an any-occupation-style test. Ten of the eleven products instead offer a split or linked structure that holds the own-occupation component outside super, each under a different name: Maximiser or Superannuation PLUS (AIA), TPD Super Solutions (ClearView), SuperLink (OneCare), superannuation optimiser (Zurich Wealth Protection), Superlink TPD (TAL), the Own Occupation Option outside super (MetLife), Split TPD Cover (Encompass, NEOS, Futura), and TPD Optimiser (Acenda). In every case, a claim is assessed first under the inside-super policy; in most products that policy carries an any-occupation definition, while under Zurich Wealth Protection's superannuation optimiser both related policies carry the selected definition and the inside-super policy adds superannuation law's permanent-incapacity test. Only if the inside-super claim fails is it assessed under the policy outside super.
How do the definitions differ beyond the occupation test?
Most of these definitions can also be met through non-occupational limbs, and this is where the wording genuinely diverges:
- Whole-person impairment: OneCare and Zurich Wealth Protection use a 25% threshold under the AMA Guides 5th edition (Zurich Wealth Protection adds a standalone 60% limb); NEOS uses the 6th edition; Encompass pegs it to the edition "current as at the date of impairment"; TAL uses 25% under the Guides' latest edition (with an Australian-guide substitution clause), combined with an earnings test; Acenda uses 25%, with a separate Severity definition met at 30% whole-person impairment or a score above 30% on the Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale; ClearView, Futura, NobleOak Direct and MetLife have no whole-person-impairment limb in these definitions.
- Activities of daily living (ADL): thresholds range from inability to perform 2 of 5 ADLs (several products) to Zurich Wealth Protection's "functional impairment of at least four extended ADL categories".
- Loss of limbs and sight: every one of the eleven products provides a way to qualify through specified combinations of loss of use of hands, feet and sight. In most products this is a limb of the own and any occupation definitions themselves; in TAL it is reached through the ADL definition, in MetLife through the Loss of Use of Limbs and/or Sight Benefit within Standard Cover, and in Zurich Wealth Protection through the separate modified TPD definition, which (before age 65) a claimant can meet as an alternative to their selected occupational definition. Wording differs between products.
- Mental health pathways: TAL's ADL definition includes a specified mental-disorder pathway, and TAL offers a TPD Support Option that pays the benefit in five instalments over a minimum of four years for specified mental conditions, fatigue and functional disorders, and other specific syndromes and disorders. Two definitions on this page carry an explicit psychiatric-impairment threshold: AIA's Universal TPD and Home Duties definitions include a Mental Illness (severe and permanent) limb - a permanent impairment of 19% or more on the Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale for a disorder diagnosed under the DSM - and Acenda's Severity definition can be met at a permanent score above 30% on the same scale, assessed at Maximum Medical Improvement.
What happens to TPD cover as you get older?
This is one of the largest documented differences between the products. TAL's TPD cover ends entirely at the policy anniversary before age 65, and Encompass's at the policy anniversary after 65. The other products keep cover on foot longer but convert it to a narrower definition: AIA (converts to a Loss of Independence benefit at its expiry date, continuing to the policy anniversary before age 100 - though not for cover in super or Maximiser, Occupation Category E, or TPD held as a rider to Crisis Recovery Stand Alone), ClearView (Non-Occupational at 65), OneCare (Non-working at 65, or 70 for white-collar occupations on the first $1M), Zurich Wealth Protection (modified TPD only from 65), Futura (loss-of-independence-style from 65), NEOS (the same from 70), MetLife (a 20-hours-per-week work test from 65, otherwise an ADL test), and NobleOak Direct (loss-of-limbs/independence limbs only from 65, with the sum insured reducing 10% a year), and Acenda (Loss of Independence - "non-work based criteria" - from the Review Date after 65, with cover outside super continuing to age 100). Several products also cap post-conversion cover at $3 million.
The definitions, in each insurer's own words
The extracts below quote the core operative wording of each product's own-occupation definition from the cited PDS. They are extracts, not the complete policy terms - each definition also contains the alternative limbs summarised above, and related defined terms. Always read the full PDS.
AIA Priority Protection (PDS v32, prepared 9 November 2025)
…solely because of Injury or Sickness • you have been absent from work in your Own Occupation and have not worked for an uninterrupted period of at least three consecutive months from the Date of Disablement, and • you attend a specialist Medical Practitioner and have undergone all reasonable and usual treatment and rehabilitation… and • at the end of the period of three months, reasonable consideration of all relevant medical and other evidence confirm that you have become incapacitated to such an extent as to render you unlikely ever to engage in your Own Occupation…
ClearView ClearChoice (PDS 13 May 2024, as updated to 26 April 2026)
As a result of sickness or injury, you: • have been absent from, and unable to work in, your own occupation for three consecutive months; and • at the end of the period of three consecutive months, are disabled to such an extent that you are unlikely to be able to engage in your own occupation ever again. OR • satisfy the Non-Occupational TPD definition.
Zurich (OnePath) OneCare (PDS 1 October 2025)
Own Occupation TPD means that, solely as a result of illness or injury, the life insured: 1. a. has been absent from, and unable to engage in, their ‘Own Occupation’ for three consecutive months; and b. is attending a medical practitioner and has undergone or is continuing to undergo all reasonable and appropriate treatment including rehabilitation… and c. is disabled at the end of the period of three consecutive months to such an extent that they are unlikely ever again to be able to engage in their ‘Own Occupation’…
Zurich Wealth Protection (PDS 1 November 2025)
own occupation TPD means solely due to sickness or injury, the life insured meets the criteria set out in (a) or (b) or (c) or (d) below: (a) all of the following: – hasn’t been working in their own occupation for a continuous period of at least three months – is following the advice of a medical practitioner and has undergone or is continuing to undergo all reasonable and appropriate treatment including rehabilitation… – is so incapacitated that they’re unlikely to be able to work in their own occupation ever again…
TAL Accelerated Protection (PDS 12 December 2025)
…solely because of Sickness or Injury and after all reasonable treatment and rehabilitation has been undertaken: • the Life Insured has not been working in their Own Occupation for three consecutive months and in our opinion, after consideration of medical and any other evidence, is incapacitated to such an extent as to render the Life Insured unlikely ever to be able to work in their Own Occupation…
MetLife Protect — Own Occupation Option (PDS 30 June 2024, as supplemented 2 February 2025)
We will pay the full TPD Cover Amount if the Life Insured: • has been absent from their occupation for at least three consecutive months, solely due to Illness or Injury; and • is following the advice of their Medical Practitioner and is undergoing all reasonable rehabilitation and treatment; and • does not meet the criteria for a benefit to be paid under Standard TPD Cover…; and • is unlikely ever to be able to work in their Own Occupation again, solely due to their Illness or Injury.
Encompass Protection (PDS 26 September 2025)
a. • The insured person has been completely unable to work for a continuous three month period at their own occupation; and • At the end of that continuous three month period, they are disabled to such an extent that they are unlikely ever again to be able to work in their own occupation. … For the purpose of paragraphs a. and b., ‘unlikely ever again’ includes having regard to, but is not limited to, the prospect of improvement after treatment or rehabilitation recommended by a doctor and which the insured person could reasonably be expected to undertake.
NEOS Protection (PDS 6 December 2024)
…you: • have been absent from and unable to work in your own occupation for three consecutive months; and • are disabled at the end of these three consecutive months, in our opinion (acting reasonably) after consideration of medical and any other evidence, to such an extent that you’re unlikely to be able to engage in your own occupation ever again.
Futura Protection (PDS 1 October 2025)
…you: • have been absent from and unable to work in your own occupation for three consecutive months; and • are disabled at the end of these three consecutive months, and in our opinion (acting reasonably) after consideration of medical and any other evidence, to such an extent that you’re unlikely ever again to be able to engage in your own occupation.
NobleOak Premium Life Direct (PDS 15 December 2024)
A) You have been absent from work (or have not performed Domestic Duties) for a continuous period of at least 3 months, and at the end of those 3 months, we’re reasonably satisfied that your Sickness or Injury makes it unlikely that you will: • ever again be able to engage in your Own Occupation (if the ‘Own Occupation’ definition applies)…
Acenda Insurance / Acenda Insurance (Super) (PDS 27 September 2025, as supplemented by SPDS 11 April 2026)
(a) • they have been completely unable to work for a continuous 3 month period at their own occupation; and • at the end of that continuous 3 month period, they are disabled to such an extent that they are unlikely ever again to be able to work at their own occupation … For the purpose of paragraphs (a) and (b), ‘unlikely ever again’ includes having regard to, but is not limited to, the prospect of improvement after treatment or rehabilitation recommended by a Doctor and which the Life Insured could reasonably be expected to undertake.
Frequently asked questions
What does TPD insurance stand for?
TPD stands for Total and Permanent Disability. TPD insurance pays a lump sum if, because of sickness or injury, you meet your policy's definition of being totally and permanently disabled - most commonly, being unlikely ever to work again in your own occupation or in any occupation suited to your education, training or experience.
How long do you have to be off work before a TPD claim can be assessed?
All eleven products compared on this page use a three-consecutive-month qualification period in their occupational TPD definitions: you must have been unable to work for three consecutive months, and at the end of that period be assessed as unlikely ever to work again under the definition that applies. Most products also have alternative limbs - such as specified loss of limbs or sight - that do not require the three-month period.
Is own occupation TPD better than any occupation?
Neither is "better" in the abstract - they are different tests at different costs. Own occupation is an easier test to meet at claim time because it only considers your previous occupation, but it costs more, is restricted to certain occupations at most insurers, and cannot be held directly inside super. Whether either suits a person depends on their occupation, cover structure and circumstances, which is personal advice territory - speak to an adviser.
Can I have own occupation TPD if my cover is inside super?
Not directly - no product on this page offers it inside super. Ten of the eleven offer split or linked structures (under names like SuperLink, Maximiser, TPD Super Solutions, TPD Optimiser and Split TPD) that hold the own-occupation component outside super - inside super, most products use an any-occupation definition, while Zurich Wealth Protection's optimiser applies superannuation law's permanent-incapacity test to the selected definition - with claims assessed inside super first.
Does TPD cover end at 65?
It depends on the product. Among the eleven compared: TAL's TPD ends at the policy anniversary before 65 and Encompass's at the anniversary after 65, while the others continue to between age 70 and 100 but convert to a narrower definition (typically loss-of-independence or ADL-based) at 65 or 70, often with cover capped at $3 million from that point.
What is a whole person impairment limb in a TPD definition?
It is an alternative way to qualify: instead of the occupational test, some definitions are met if you suffer a specified percentage of permanent whole-person impairment (commonly 25%, assessed under the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment). The AMA Guides edition used varies by insurer - the products on this page variously cite the 5th edition, the 6th edition, the latest edition, or the edition current at the date of impairment.
How current is this comparison?
Every fact and quote on this page was verified against the insurer's current PDS on 16 August 2026, using the PDS versions listed below. Insurers reissue PDS documents regularly, and the definition that applies to an individual policy is the one in its policy schedule. Always obtain the current PDS from the insurer before making decisions.
Why isn't a particular insurer or product included?
This page compares the eleven retail products for which we hold and have verified current PDS documents. It is not a comparison of every product in the market, and exclusion of a product implies nothing about it.
Source documents
AIA Priority Protection PDS v32 (prepared 9 November 2025) · ClearView ClearChoice Combined PDS (13 May 2024) as amended by PDS updates of 5 June 2025 and 26 April 2026 · OneCare PDS (1 October 2025) · Zurich Wealth Protection PDS (1 November 2025) · TAL Accelerated Protection Combined PDS (12 December 2025) · MetLife Protect Combined PDS (prepared 30 June 2024) as supplemented by SPDS (2 February 2025) · Encompass Protection PDS (26 September 2025) · NEOS Protection PDS (6 December 2024) · Futura Protection PDS (1 October 2025) · NobleOak Premium Life Direct PDS (15 December 2024) · Acenda Insurance and Acenda Insurance (Super) PDS (prepared 27 September 2025) as supplemented by SPDS (prepared 11 April 2026).
Last reviewed: 2026-08-16.
General advice warning: This information is factual and general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the relevant PDS and TMD before making any decision. Your Choice - Life Insurance is an Authorised Representative (No. 001318312) of Life Plan FP Australia Pty Ltd, AFSL 277681.
Written by Sam Yakoubian, Authorised Representative 001318312 of Life Plan FP Australia Pty Ltd, AFSL 277681.
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