Total and Permanent Disability

Understanding Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance provides a lump sum payout if you become permanently disabled and unable to work due to illness or injury. This lump sum TPD insurance payout is designed to ease financial pressure during one of life’s most difficult moments—helping you focus on recovery, stability, and what matters most.

You can apply for TPD insurance as an extension to Life Cover or Critical Illness insurance, which can be purchased inside or outside super. 

Alternatively, you can apply for stand-alone TPD insurance outside super, which is independent of all other types of insurance. 

Your insurance cover can be tailored to include options (at an additional cost) that provide business protection or help restore your life cover after a claim – giving you the flexibility to adapt as your needs change. There are also built-in benefits and features such as partial benefits, designed to support you during difficult times, including: 

  • Everyday living expenses
  • Medical and rehabilitation costs
  • Mortgage or debt repayments
  • Long-term care or lifestyle adjustments.

 

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Key benefits and features

Core benefits
  • Lump Sum payment if you become totally and permanently disabled and can’t return to work.
  • Financial support to cover everyday expenses, medical costs, debt repayments, or long-term care.
  • Peace of mind knowing your family’s lifestyle is protected if your income stops.
  • Flexibility to add TPD cover to your Life Cover or Critical Illness insurance or take it out as a stand-alone policy.
More ways we support you
  • Severity cover: A lower-cost option that pays out when your disability reaches a certain level of severity.
  • Partial payment benefit: If you lose the use of one hand, foot, or sight in one eye (outside super only).
  • Financial planning benefit: Up to $5,000 reimbursed if your claim payment is $100,000 or more (outside super only).
  • Inflation protection: Your cover amount can increase over time to keep pace with rising costs.
  • Life cover buy-back: These options restore your life cover after a full TPD claim.
  • Premium freeze: Option to lock in your premium and adjust your cover amount accordingly.
  • Cover Bounce-back: Option to reduce your cover amount for an agreed period of time after which you can then restore your cover. 


Product overview

How does it work?

With TPD insurance, you’ll receive a lump sum payment if you suffer a total and permanent disability, which means you won’t be able to work again.

TPD cover amounts start from $25,000 and are available up to $5 million for certain professional occupations (e.g. surgeons, accountants and solicitors) and up to $3 million for other occupations.

You can also use TPD insurance to receive a maximum of $3 million for loss of independence (e.g. physical and mental loss) after the review date following your 65th birthday.  

Funding options

TPD insurance is available both inside and outside super. You can choose how to pay your premiums - whether directly or through your super fund, investment platform, or other eligible financial products. Acenda offers flexible payment options to suit your financial setup, making it easier to keep your cover active and aligned with your needs. 

Find out more in How to pay your insurance premiums


Do you need TPD insurance?

You may want to consider TPD insurance if you: 

  • have a partner, family or dependants
  • have a mortgage or any other personal debt
  • have a business or are self employed
  • would need money to live if you were unable to work
  • don’t have adequate savings to cover unexpected expenses.

Find out more in When to Consider Life Insurance


Acenda’s TPD Insurance definitions

Here is an overview of the difference between the TPD definitions you can choose when applying for insurance. You’ll need to meet the complete TPD definition that applies to you for a benefit to be payable.

Own Occupation
When assessing your claim, we’ll assess your likely ability to work again in your own occupation, even if you may be able to work in another occupation.
Any Occupation

We’ll assess your likely ability to work again in not only your occupation, but also any occupation that you’re reasonably suited to by your education, training or experience.

However, if you’re performing full-time domestic duties or child rearing at the time you apply for insurance, and for the 12 months prior to disability and at the time disability begins, we’ll instead assess you under the Home Duties definition.

Severity
The severity of your condition must meet a specified level of permanent impairment before we’ll assess your likely ability to work again in any occupation that you’re reasonably suited to by your education, training or experience.
Optimiser
This efficiently packages your insurance inside super (under an Any Occupation definition) with a policy outside super (with an Own Occupation definition).
Acenda Insurance and Acenda Insurance (Super) PDS kit

Acenda Insurance TMD

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How can I purchase Acenda TPD Insurance?

To purchase Acenda life insurance products, you’ll need to speak with a licensed financial adviser. They can help you understand your options and provide advice tailored to your personal financial situation.

An adviser will work with you to assess your needs - like how much life insurance you may require - and help you make informed decisions. Keep in mind that anyone offering financial advice in Australia must hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL).

If you don’t already have a financial adviser, visit Moneysmart.gov.au. It’s a government-run resource where you can search for licensed professionals who specialise in life insurance, superannuation, and investments.

Ready to get started? Click here to find an adviser who aligns with your goals.

Moneysmart website

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