{"menuItems":[{"label":"Who covers part-time or casual employment?","anchorName":"#compare"},{"label":"If you prefer, speak to an advisor and get a personalised quote","anchorName":"#if-you-prefer-speak-to-an-advisor-and-get-a-personalised-quote"},{"label":"Can I get income protection insurance when I work less than 20 hours per week?","anchorName":"#can-i-get-income-protection-insurance-when-i-work-less-than-20-hours-per-week"},{"label":"Part-time and casual income protection for different occupations","anchorName":"#part-time-and-casual-income-protection-for-different-occupations"},{"label":"Can I get income protection as a stay-at-home-parent?","anchorName":"#can-i-get-income-protection-as-a-stay-at-home-parent"},{"label":"Tips for finding the right income protection policy","anchorName":"#5"},{"label":"Compare income protection quotes from these direct brands","anchorName":"#compare-income-protection-quotes-from-these-direct-brands"},{"label":"Income protection calculator: How much cover you could get ","anchorName":"#income-protection-calculator-how-much-cover-you-could-get"},{"label":"Frequently asked questions","anchorName":"#frequently-asked-questions"}]}
As a part-time or casual worker, income protection will pay you a portion of your regular earnings to help you get by till you're recovered from your injury or illness and can return to work.
3 key conditions include:
Minimum hours worked in a week
Most policies will require you to work 20 hours a week to qualify for cover.
Minimum weeks worked in a year
Some policies will require you to wotk a minimum of 48 hours per year.
Age restrictions
Some policies will enforce a stricter age limit e.g. 18-59.
Can I get income protection insurance when I work less than 20 hours per week?
Yes. While it is typical for income protection policies to require one to work at least 20 hours per week, there are still other options available. Zurich Ezicover, for example has a special level of cover for those who work less than 20 hours per week, and Onepath Living Expenses Cover can cover those who may not be working enough hours to qualify for standard income protection insurance.
If you work less than 20 hours per week, you may be able to get cover under "homemaker" income protection policies, but should make sure that working on a casual basis does not disqualify you from "homemaker" status with a certain policy.
Part-time and casual income protection for different occupations
Depending on your job, your income protection insurance will have different benefits and requirements. Insurance providers categorise occupations based on risk level and it’s important to know which category your job falls into. Some occupations such as farming are also susceptible to unpredictable income fluctuations, and you should ensure that you have good income protection insurance to help cover these unexpected shortfalls. Learn more about income protection insurance to make sure you have the best cover for your job.
Can I get income protection as a stay-at-home-parent?
Stay-at-home parents or 'homemakers' can also claim income protection. A growing number of insurers in Australia are recognising homemakers as eligible recipients for income protection benefit payments. Insurers recognise the financial strain of losing a homemaker as it often results in needing to pay for the services of a professional worker to carry out day-to-day tasks. For single parents, injury or illness can mean that they can’t care for their children.
The BT Income Protection plan, for example, provides a benefit payment of up to $5,000 per month for up to two years if the homemaker is unable to perform normal home duties as a result of serious illness or injury.The BT Protection Plan also allows homemakers to take out a Children's Benefit under the income protection plan for homemakers. This insures their children for a lump sum amount in case of major medical events. In order to qualify for the Home Duties benefit which covers work around the house, applicants must be engaged in at least 20 hours of work per week.
Tips for finding the right income protection policy
Look at the cost of the plan and make sure you can afford the premiums.
Check to see which providers offer cover for part-time workers and how many hours you need to be working to get it.
Compare the maximum coverage levels available with different providers to find a plan that offers you a good level of security. You may have a preference for a lump sum payment, or for ongoing payments.
Compare the benefit periods and the waiting times available with different providers to find one that works for your savings and income.
Consider cover from a range of different providers. Rule out the insurance companies that don't have plans you're eligible for.
If you're having trouble finding the best option, use the Income Protection Insurance Finder to compare a wide range of options and find the best cover for your situation.
Compare income protection quotes from these direct brands
Tip: If you want to compare policies side-by-side, simply click the 'Compare' tickbox. Then select 'Get a quote' to get started.
1 - 6 of 10
Income protection calculator: How much cover you could get
We estimate that you could get...(click Calculate to see results)
Why you can trust Finder's income protection experts
We're free
You pay the same as buying directly from the insurer. We make money from referral fees when you choose a policy, but you don't pay any extra.
We're experts
Our team of income protection experts have researched and rated dozens of policies as part of our Finder Awards and published 80+ guides.
We're independent
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. Our opinions are our own and all guides must meet our editorial standards.
We're here to help
Since 2016, we've helped thousands of Australians find income protection by explaining your cover options, simply and clearly.
Frequently asked questions
It can vary depending on the job you have. In general, you'll need to be working in paid work for at least 20-30 hours per week to be eligible for income protection.
Yes, you must be employed. The good thing about income protection insurance is, unlike, say, wokers' compensation, you're able to claim it whether or not you become injured as a result of your usual work activities.
Typically, waiting periods range between 14 and 90 days. You won't find income protection insurance with no waiting period in Australia.
James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Australians love their sports, so it’s easy to get complacent about the chance of a serious injury. Find out which sports are the leading causes of injuries.
One of the benefits of income protection insurance is that you may have the ability to claim a tax deduction on your premium benefits. Find out if the same rules apply for policies inside super.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
