Income Protection for Doctors & Medical Professionals

Why doctors need income protection

According to Safe Work Australia, the healthcare industry has the highest proportion of work-related injuries and illnesses every year. Unlike other professions, healthcare workers encounters a range of health and safety hazards on a daily basis. You might be normalized to it, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't take the necessary precautions. Some of the hazards you might encounter include:

• Blood borne diseases. Exposure to blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. Needle stick injuries can include cover for occupationally acquired HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Most policies also cover splash injuries as well.
• Other contagious illnesses & diseases. Doctors have famously strong immune systems but that doesn't mean you're not susceptible to contagious illnesses and diseases. Some can be spread by coming into contact with infectious patients. This is especially a concern for GPs.
• Back injuries. Many health professionals, including paramedics and nurses, need to lift and move their patients. As a result, back injuries are among the most common reasons for claims among healthcare and social assistance workers, according to Safe Work Australia.
• Mental health issues. Being a doctor can be stressful. The high stress nature of the job means that you might need time off as a result of a mental health problem you are dealing with. Fortunately, it's possible to get income protection for mental health issues.

Finder survey: Did Australians in different states know that income protection is tax deductible?

How does income protection for doctors work?

Income protection insurance pays you a large portion of your income if you're unable to work due to an injury or illness. If you are a doctor and you have to take some time off work due to an injury or illness, income protection will pay you up to 70% of your regular income, and up to 75% with some insurers, until you return to work or your agreed benefit period ends. It may also end when you reach a certain age - usually around 65 or 70. Income protection premiums are also tax deductible. Some features of income protection for doctors include:

• A non-offset clause. This entitles you to a full benefit payment even if you're already receiving compensation from WorkCover. In a nutshell, you can receive your income protection payments as well as any other form of compensation you are entitled to as a medical professional.
• Own occupation. Medical professionals can also get own occupation income protection. This means you're covered if you can't perform the duties specific to your own specialty, regardless of your ability to perform other medical duties.
• Cover inside and outside of work. Unlike workers' compensation, income protection is there for you all the time. It's designed to cover policyholders for injuries or illnesses sustained both inside and outside of work.

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How we calculate Income Protection Finder Scores

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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 22 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 8.6 Great HCF Income Protect Insurance	8.6 Great	$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
Promoted 8 Great Medibank Income Protection	8 Great	$12,500	Up to 70%	Up to 5 years	18	Data not available	Discount: Get 10% off when you purchase by 30 Nov 2026. T&Cs 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 2 months free with NobleOak Income Protection. Offer ends 30 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
8.5 Great AAMI Income Protection	8.5 Great	$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
7.5 Great ahm Income Protection	7.5 Great	$10,000	Up to 70%	Up to 5 years	18	Data not available	Discount: Get your first month of cover for free when you purchase by 30 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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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.

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How much can doctors expect to pay

Aside from factors such as your age and sex, occupation has a big influence on how much you will pay. Doctors and health professionals, including nurses, can expect to pay higher premiums because they're working in a riskier profession than most.

While there are several exceptions, many doctors and medical professionals are high-earners. In the past, this meant you may have found it difficult to insure yourself for the level of income you are used to receiving. This is because the Australian insurance industry limited high income earners to an insured amount of $30,000 per month, meaning you were only protected if you earned up to $480,000 a year.

However, you can now get income protection benefits of up to $60,000 per month. This means that high earning doctors can now get the protection they need to sustain their lifestyle should something happe.

Income protection for doctors conditions or exclusions

There are some conditions and exclusions worth keeping in mind when you apply for cover. These include:

• Part-time workers. You generally need to work for at least 20 hours per week to be eligible for cover.
• 'Own occupation' vs 'any occupation'. You will need to decide whether you want 'own occupation' or 'any occupation' income protection. 'Own occupation' is more expensive but means that your insurer could not claim you are able to perform other duties related to the medical industry. For example, if you have 'any occupation' cover, are a surgeon and suffer a hand injury, an insurer might refuse a claim as you can still work as a GP.
• Overseas cover. Some insurers won't maintain full cover if you take an overseas placement. Others might have exclusions for specific countries and regions, so be sure to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) beforehand.
• Waiting periods. Every policy will come with a waiting period. Essentially, it means you can't make a claim until you have held the policy for a specific length of time. Waiting times can vary from around 30 days to 2 years.

What other types of insurance should doctors think about?

All health practitioners are required to have professional indemnity insurance. So whether you're a nurse working in an elderly care home or a surgeon at a private hospital, you should consider getting medical malpractice insurance. This protects you in the event of a medical malpractice claim, ensuring you are not liable for any expensive compensation payouts or additional costs associated with legal fees and disruption to business.

If you're worried about exposure to blood borne viruses, some insurers offer needlestick cover as an optional benefit for medical professionals. If you become infected with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C as a result of your work, needlestick cover can pay you with a large lump sum benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can junior doctors or medical students get income protection

  Medical students generally cannot get income protection because they do not have an income to protect. Junior doctors including interns and residents are usually eligible for cover. Your benefit amount will be based on your current income which may be lower than a specialist doctor. Some policies allow for future income increases without additional underwriting as your career progresses.

• Is income protection different for locum or self-employed doctors

  Yes income protection can differ for locum and self-employed doctors. Insurers typically calculate your income based on an average over a period usually 12 to 24 months rather than a fixed salary. You may need to provide more extensive financial records to support your application and any future claim. Self-employed doctors might also consider business overheads insurance which covers fixed business expenses if you cannot work.

• Can I get income protection for doctors through my superannuation

  Yes it is possible to hold income protection cover through your superannuation fund. Many industry and retail super funds offer a basic level of income protection by default. While this can be a cost effective option as premiums are paid from your super balance it often comes with more basic features and a shorter benefit period. Benefits are typically paid to your super fund first then disbursed to you. It is important to compare these policies carefully as specific features like 'own occupation' cover may not be available or as comprehensive when held inside super.

• What happens if I have a pre-existing medical condition

  If you have a pre-existing medical condition you must disclose it during your income protection application. The insurer will assess your medical history and may apply specific exclusions to your policy. They might also impose a loading which means higher premiums or in some cases decline to offer cover. It is crucial to be honest and provide all relevant information to ensure your policy is valid when you need to make a claim.

• What is the process for making an income protection claim as a doctor

  To make an income protection claim as a doctor you should notify your insurer as soon as possible after your injury or illness prevents you from working. You will need to complete claim forms and provide medical evidence from your treating doctor detailing your condition and inability to perform your duties. Financial documents such as payslips or tax returns will also be required to prove your income. Once your waiting period has passed and your claim is assessed and approved payments will begin.

• Does my medical specialisation affect my income protection premiums or cover

  Yes your medical specialisation can affect your income protection premiums and the type of cover available. Insurers classify occupations based on risk and some medical specialisations such as surgeons emergency doctors or those involved in high risk procedures may be considered higher risk than general practitioners or dermatologists. This can lead to higher premiums. For specialists 'own occupation' cover is particularly valuable as it ensures you are covered if you cannot perform the specific duties of your specialisation not just any medical work.

• Can income protection cover me if I return to work on reduced hours or have a partial disability

  Many income protection policies offer cover for partial disability or if you return to work on reduced hours. This means that if an injury or illness prevents you from working your full hours or performing all your usual duties resulting in a reduced income your policy can pay a partial benefit. The amount paid is typically calculated based on the difference between your pre-disability income and your reduced income after returning to work. This feature encourages a gradual return to work while still providing financial support.

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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 520 Finder guides across topics including:

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James Martin

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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, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. An experienced journalist, James' work has featured in publications including The Irish Times, Companies100 and In Business. 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). See full bio

James's expertise

James has written 167 Finder guides across topics including:

• Car, home, life, health, travel and pet insurance
• Managing the cost of living
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