Most panel insurers offer optional Children's Cover as an add-on to a parent's policy, paying a smaller lump sum if an insured child is diagnosed with a covered condition. Encompass does not offer Child Cover. This is general information, not personal advice.
Standard structure
Child Cover (also called Child Trauma Cover, Children's Critical Illness, or Child Critical Illness Insurance) typically follows this pattern:
- Entry ages of 2 to 17 (covered child must be within this range when added).
- Cover expires when the child reaches a defined age, commonly between 19 and 21.
- Maximum benefit per child is usually capped between $50,000 and $250,000.
- Premiums are relatively low compared with adult trauma cover.
- Cover is attached to a parent's trauma or life policy, so a separate medical assessment for the child is not always required.
The payout goes to the parent or policy owner. It can be used for medical costs, treatment travel, taking time off work to care for the child, and other recovery expenses.
Conditions commonly covered
Child Critical Illness Event lists usually include:
- Childhood cancers (leukaemia, brain tumour, lymphoma)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Major organ transplant
- Severe burns
- Specified developmental and congenital conditions
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs, sight, hearing, or speech
Panel availability
- AIA: Crisis Recovery Family Protection benefit for listed Family Protection Crisis Events between ages 2 and 17. AIA Priority Protection PDS (9 November 2025), Section 4.
- Zurich Child Cover: Standalone Child Cover product paying death and terminal illness ($200,000 cap), child critical illness, and a carer benefit. Up to 12 insured children per policy. Zurich Wealth Protection PDS (1 November 2025), Section 3.
- TAL Child's Critical Illness Insurance: Entry ages 2 to 17; benefit expires at 19 to 21. TAL Accelerated Protection PDS (12 December 2024), Section 2.5.
- OnePath Child Cover: Lump sum for child trauma, death, and terminal illness. No limit on the number of children covered. OnePath OneCare PDS (1 October 2025).
- ClearView Child Cover: Specified Child Critical Illness Events listed in the ClearChoice PDS. ClearView ClearChoice PDS (13 May 2024, updated 5 June 2025).
- NEOS Child Cover: One of five NEOS cover types. Entry age 2 to 17, expires at plan anniversary after age 19. Not available inside superannuation. NEOS Protection PDS (6 December 2024), Section 5, and 1230.
- Acenda Child Critical Illness: Included in the Acenda Insurance suite, pages 28 to 29. Acenda Insurance PDS (27 September 2025).
- Futura Child Cover: Critical Illness Event, Partial Critical Illness Event, or Child Critical Illness Event categories. Futura Protection PDS (1 October 2025).
- Encompass: Encompass Protection offers only four cover types (Life, TPD, Critical Illness, Income Protection). Child Cover is not available as a separate cover type. Encompass Protection PDS (26 September 2025).
Things to check before adding a child
- The exact list of Child Critical Illness Events covered, which varies by insurer.
- Whether congenital conditions or pre-existing developmental issues are excluded.
- The maximum benefit per child and any aggregate cap across multiple children.
- The age at which cover ends and whether a conversion option lets the child take out their own policy without medical evidence on reaching adulthood.
Not available inside superannuation under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, since Child Critical Illness does not meet a Condition of Release. Read the Product Disclosure Statement for the specific product before adding child cover.