Any vs own occupation TPD is a very important distinction. If a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) renders you unable to work, the type of cover you have will determine your eligibility for a lump sum payment.
TPD Compensation Lawyers will thoroughly review your insurance policy. We will explain any vs own occupation TPD and what is involved in claiming an entitlement. Our lawyers can fully assist you with the process of lodging a claim for Total and Permanent Disability compensation, from completing the application to communicating with the insurance company and more.
Having trouble getting to grips with TPD insurance? Give our specialist lawyers a call at 03 9966 7188 today. TPD Compensation Lawyers serve clients in Melbourne and throughout VIC.

What Is the Difference Between Any Occupation and Own Occupation?
The difference between any occupation and own occupation insurance cover comes down to how the insurer defines Total and Permanent Disability. The only way to obtain a lump sum TPD payment is to prove that you meet the applicable criteria.
Most insurers consider a disability total and permanent in terms of (a). the impact on your current occupation, or (b). your ability to work as a whole. We explain the differences between any vs own occupation TPD below:
TPD Any Occupation
Any occupation is the policy offered by superannuation insurers. It only covers an illness or injury that prevents you from working in any job or field for which you are suited.
For example: A carpenter loses his hand. The loss of the hand prevents him from resuming his carpentry job, but the insurance company determines that he can be retrained as a customer service representative. In this scenario, the carpenter would not be entitled to TPD compensation because the insurance company believes that he can do a different job.
Insurers will take multiple factors into account when reviewing an application for TPD any occupation cover. This includes:
- Your education
- The duties involved in your current occupation
- Your work history
- Any specialised training or skills you have acquired
- Professional certifications
- Experience and skills transferable to another role or field
- The potential for retraining
The impact of the disability on your employment will be weighted against these factors. If the super insurer finds that the injury or illness adversely impacts your ability to perform any occupation, you will be awarded a lump sum Total and Permanent Disability benefit.
Read More: What Are the Most Common TPD Claims?
TPD Own Occupation
Cover for TPD own occupation must be purchased outside of super. Such a policy is more likely to pay out in the event of a Total and Permanent Disability, so the premiums tend to be more expensive.
With TPD own occupation, Total and Permanent Disability is defined as the inability to perform the job you had before becoming disabled. Instead of assessing your ability to work in another field, the insurer will need to be satisfied that you cannot resume your current occupation with retraining or accommodation.
Returning to our example of the injured carpenter, the loss of a hand would generally signify the end of his carpentry career. Whilst any occupation cover would likely not pay because the hypothetical carpenter could be trained to do a different job, losing a hand would entitle him to a benefit payment under TPD own occupation cover—provided he is totally unable to perform the job.
Any vs Own Occupation TPD Cover: Which Policy Do I Have?
Most people have Total and Permanent Disability cover through their employer-provided superannuation insurance. Until you need it, there’s a good chance you haven’t looked too closely at the specifics of the policy.
Insurance policies aren’t known for their user friendliness. Whether Total and Permanent Disability is assessed according to the standard of any occupation or own occupation may not be clearly stated. The policy might also include terms such as:
- ‘Unlikely ever’, meaning that a TPD benefit will not be paid unless a return to work is deemed highly unlikely.
- ‘Unable ever’, which signifies that the totality and permanence of the disability must be definitively established to qualify for TPD.
Alternatively, TPD might not be assessed in light of your occupational capacity at all. Some TPD policies use an ‘activities of daily living’ standard that is entirely different from any vs own occupation TPD.
Read More: What Is TPD ‘Activities of Daily Living’?
Bottom line: TPD insurance is confusing, and the terms insurers use can be difficult to understand. Navigating the policy can be especially intimidating when you are unable to work and unsure how you’re going to make ends meet.
In this situation, obtaining knowledgeable legal counsel is key. A lawyer specialising in TPD claims can explain the differences between any and own occupation cover, how Total and Permanent Disability is assessed, and your eligibility for compensation.
Get Help with Your TPD Claim
TPD Compensation Lawyers understand the complexities of Total and Permanent Disability insurance. Our lawyers are well-versed in the differences of any vs own occupation TPD, and we are committed to obtaining the maximum benefits our clients deserve.
With our No Win, No Fee policy, you pay nothing for legal services unless the claim is resolved in your favour. This ensures that you do not have to tap into your finances while the matter is pending.