What ongoing requirements are there while receiving Income Protection benefits?

Income Protection is a continuing claim, not a single payout. You must keep providing medical and income evidence for the entire time benefits are paid. Failure to engage with these requirements can suspend or cease benefits.

This ongoing nature is the structural difference between IP and the lump-sum products (TPD, trauma). The detail of what is required varies, but the categories are consistent across the 9 panel insurers.

The four ongoing obligations

1. Updated medical certificates. Treating doctor reports every 1 to 3 months confirming the disability continues. Format and frequency are set by the insurer's case manager.
2. Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs). The insurer pays for IMEs and may request them periodically to verify the condition and recovery progress.
3. Notification of changes. Improvements in condition, returns to work (even part-time), changes in treatment, or changes in income must be reported promptly.
4. Participation in rehabilitation. Reasonable rehabilitation steps, such as physiotherapy, vocational rehab, workplace modifications, or graduated return-to-work plans, are required by most policies.

Per-insurer ongoing-requirement references

| Insurer | Source | |---------|--------| | AIA | AIA Priority Protection PDS Version 32, 9 November 2025, Section 5 (Income Protection) ongoing assessment provisions | | TAL | TAL Accelerated Protection PDS, 12 December 2024, Section 3 (Claims) plus Section 2.6.5 'When we will reduce the benefit' | | Zurich | Zurich Wealth Protection PDS, 1 November 2025, Income Protection section claims requirements | | OnePath | OnePath OneCare PDS, October 2025, Income Secure Cover ongoing claim requirements | | ClearView | ClearView ClearChoice PDS, 13 May 2024 (Update 5 June 2025), Income Protection Flex ongoing assessment | | NEOS | NEOS Protection PDS, 6 December 2024, Income Support Cover claim management | | Encompass | Encompass Protection PDS, 26 September 2025, Income Protection Cover claim continuation | | Acenda | Acenda Insurance PDS, 27 September 2025, Income Protection ongoing claim provisions | | Futura | Futura Protection PDS, 1 October 2025, Income Protection Cover claim management |

Consequences of non-engagement

If you do not provide reasonable medical evidence, attend a requested IME, or participate in reasonable rehabilitation, the insurer can suspend or cease payments. The Life Insurance Code of Practice 2019 requires insurers to set out their requirements clearly in writing. Keep dated copies of every letter and report.

Practical organisation

• Diary your reviews. Most case managers operate on a monthly or quarterly cycle. Mark the next review date as soon as the current one closes.
• Track every appointment. A simple log of doctor visits, IME appointments, and treatment sessions reduces friction at review time.
• Save bank statements. If a benefit recalculation is triggered, recent income statements can speed the recalc.

Support services

Some insurers offer case-manager-led support, including return-to-work coordination, mental health resources, and ergonomic assessments. These are usually free to the claimant. Ask your case manager which support services are available under your policy.

What changes after 24 months on claim

Under APRA's October 2021 reforms most retail policies switch to an 'any occupation' definition at 24 months and apply a two-year income reset. Both events trigger fresh evidence requirements. The APRA Information Paper Individual Disability Income Insurance (October 2021) sets out the framework.

General advice only. Confirm the exact ongoing requirements and review cadence against your insurer's current PDS and case-manager correspondence.