Expat income protection insurance

Does income protection cover you abroad?

Yes, many policies can. To be eligible for income protection while working overseas, you will generally need to do one of the following:

• Let the insurer know of your work or travel plans when you apply for cover. It will likely increase the cost of your premiums, but ensures you're covered while overseas.
• Provide evidence that you intend to return to Australia within three to five years. Evidence can include a clearly defined overseas contract, temporary work visa or return flights. If you don't intend to return, you are best to just get income protection insurance from a provider in the country you're living in.
• Provide evidence of your occupation. Some insurers may also need to see evidence that your job requires you to travel overseas.

Finder survey: Have Australians lied on their income protection insurance policy?

Who provides income protection with worldwide cover?

Provider	Conditions
AIA Income Protection	If you travel overseas, AIA's income protection policy covers you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world. You will need to inform the insurer of your travel plans when you apply for cover as this may alter the cost of your premiums.
RAC Disability Income Insurance	Once issued, insurance cover is provided worldwide and 24-hours a day, subject to any special terms and conditions we may apply to your cover.
AMP Elevate Income Insurance	When you are accepted for cover, AMP will offer insurance protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world. However, if you fall ill or are injured outside Australia or New Zealand, you may need to provide additional medical documentation and/or undergo an additional medical examination by a medical practitioner chosen by AMP.
Asteron Income Protection	When you apply for cover, you'll need to provide details about your travel plans, including your destinations and the purpose of your trip(s). 24/7 worldwide cover is available from Asteron, although special loadings and exclusions may apply to cover.
BT - Income Protection	BT income protection cover offers protection anywhere in the world all year round. However, special loadings and exclusions may apply to cover.
ClearView LifeSolutions Income Protection Cover	Unless the policyholder and the insurer agree on special cover terms at the time of application, ClearView offers income protection cover anywhere in the world.
CommBank Income Protection	Cover is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world. However, specific exclusions may be applied to your policy for injuries sustained in certain countries, or specific circumstances (eg, terrorism) in certain countries that could lead to an injury.
Acenda Income Protection Insurance	When applying for cover, you'll need to provide details about your travel plans including your destinations, duration of trips and purpose of travel. Cover is offered 24 hours a day all around the world, but specific exclusion and loadings may be applied depending on where you are planning on visiting.
OnePath OneCare Income Secure Cover	OnePath offers protection 365 days a year anywhere in the world, subject to any specific terms and exclusions which may apply to your policy.
TAL Accelerated Protection - Income Protection Insurance	TAL offers a maximum benefit period of 90 days if you reside outside of Australia. Depending on your circumstances, exclusions and premium loadings may apply.
Zurich Income Replacement Insurance	Zurich Wealth Protection policies provide cover all year long, all around the world. However, if you are claiming income replacement benefits you will need to have a medical examination every 12 months in order to continue receiving benefits.

Can I use Australian income protection while working overseas?

With so many Australians working overseas in industries such as oil, gas and mining, there are plenty of insurance companies happy to cover Australians working abroad for periods at a time. The main requirement is that you can show you intend to return within three to five years.

How we calculate Income Protection Finder Scores

Read full methodology

What different scores mean

9+

Excellent

These products offer great value, with a good score across both features and price.

7+

Great

These are competitive products, though they didn't quite get top scores.

5+

Standard

These products might offer less value or command a higher premium than others in the market.

0+

Basic

These products might only offer a basic set of features or aren't very competitive on price.

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6 of 20 results

Finder Score	Maximum monthly benefit	Maximum % of income covered	Maximum benefit period	Minimum entry age	Sum insured
Promoted 9.5 Excellent TAL Accelerated Protection Income Protection	9.5 Excellent	$30,000	Up to 70%	Up to Age 65	19	$1,305 million	Get up to 70% of your income covered with flexible short and long term benefit periods.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 8.2 Great ahm Income Protection	8.2 Great	$10,000	Up to 70%	Up to 5 years	18	Data not available	Discount: Get a 10% discount if you're already an ahm Health Insurance member. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted 9.3 Excellent Medibank Income Protection	9.3 Excellent	$12,500	Up to 70%	Up to 5 years	18	Data not available	Discount: Get a 10% discount if you're already a Medibank Health Insurance member. T&Cs apply.	No medicals or blood tests needed to apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.9 Excellent NobleOak Income Protection Finder Award	9.9 Excellent	$30,000	Up to 70%	Up to Age 65	18	$65 million	Discount: Get 1 month free with NobleOak Income Protection. Offer ends 2 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	With NobleOak, you can lock in a policy with a benefit period covering you up to the age of 65. Cover limits may go as high as $30,000.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.5 Excellent AAMI Income Protection	9.5 Excellent	$10,000	Up to 75%	Up to 5 years	18	$222 million	Discount: Get a $100 first year discount when you take out a new AAMI Income Protection policy. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Not yet rated HCF Income Protect Insurance	Not yet rated	$10,000	Up to 70%	Up to 12 months	18	$22 million	Discount: Get 6 weeks free with HCF Income Protect Insurance. Offer ends 10 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Cover up to 70% of your monthly income by choosing a fund that puts members first.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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How we picked these

Finder Score - Income Protection

Income Protection is a little complicated and a lot overwhelming. That's why we made the Finder Score, to make it easier to compare Life Insurance products against each other. Our experts analysed over 21 products and gave each one a score rank out of 10, to make it easier to compare Income Protection products against each other.

But a higher score doesn't always mean a product is better for you. Your situation is unique, so your policy choice will be too. Don't think of Finder Score as the final word, but as a good place to start your life insurance comparison.

Read the full methodology

Does life insurance cover you overseas?

Yes, life insurance can cover you while you are overseas. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

Life insurance

Unlike income protection, it's possible to get Australian life insurance cover even if you don't plan on returning. There may be some more cover restrictions and your premiums might be higher, especially if you're in a country the Australian government considers dangerous, but you'll be covered as long as you continue to pay your premiums.

TPD insurance

Insurers may require total and permanent disability insurance policies to be modified so that you have to return to Australia within a certain period of time after being unable to work. This clause is usually inserted so that you can receive treatment to Australian standards.

Trauma insurance

You should also be able to get trauma insurance if you're living overseas. Keep in mind though that if you're residing in a dangerous area or working in a dangerous job, you might not be able to get cover.

Do I have to tell my insurer if I'm going overseas?

If you plan to go overseas for a significant period of time, then you need to let your insurer know. This is because it won't have factored the added risks of being overseas into your cover. As a result, you risk not being covered if something happens.

When you let your insurer know that you're going to be overseas, it's likely to raise your premiums to account for the added risk (and the potential cost of repatriation) and it may introduce specific conditions where you won't be covered.

Speak to an insurance specialist to help you find personalised cover

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do premiums for income protection differ when I am overseas?

  Premiums for income protection when you are overseas can often be higher than for domestic cover. This is because insurers factor in increased risks associated with international travel or living abroad, including the potential costs of medical treatment and repatriation. Factors such as your destination country, your occupation, the length of your stay and any hazardous activities you plan to undertake can all influence the cost of your premiums.

• How do I make an income protection claim while living overseas?

  If you need to make an income protection claim while living overseas, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible. You will typically need to provide medical evidence from local doctors or medical facilities detailing your illness or injury. Your insurer may also require you to undergo an independent medical examination by a practitioner of its choosing. Depending on your policy terms you might need to return to Australia for ongoing treatment or assessment to continue receiving benefits.

• What if I plan to live overseas indefinitely and not return to Australia?

  Most Australian income protection policies are designed for individuals who intend to return to Australia within a specific timeframe, often three to five years. If you plan to live overseas indefinitely with no intention of returning, it is generally more advisable to seek income protection from a provider in the country you reside in. While some Australian insurers may offer cover for indefinite periods abroad, this often comes with higher premiums, specific exclusions or unique conditions.

• Are there common exclusions or limitations for income protection policies when I am overseas?

  Yes, there are several common exclusions or limitations that may apply to income protection policies when you are overseas. These can include claims arising from war, civil unrest, acts of terrorism in specific regions or dangerous occupations and hazardous sports not explicitly declared and accepted by your insurer. Your policy may also have limitations on the maximum duration you can spend overseas or specific countries where cover is restricted or unavailable. Always check your Product Disclosure Statement for full details.

• What are the benefits of maintaining Australian income protection compared to purchasing local cover?

  Maintaining Australian income protection while overseas offers several benefits. You benefit from familiarity with Australian consumer laws, language and currency. It provides continuity of cover if you frequently travel between Australia and overseas or plan to return permanently. It can also save you the hassle of seeking new medical underwriting in a foreign country. However, local cover might be more tailored to the specific laws and medical systems of your host country.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

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Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

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Gary Ross has written 524 Finder guides across topics including:

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