Can you claim TPD for a mental health condition?
Yes. Mental health conditions — including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia — are among the most common reasons people make a total and permanent disability (TPD) claim in Australia. A claim doesn't depend on the diagnosis alone; it depends on how the condition affects your ability to work, supported by medical evidence.
Many people don't realise they hold this cover, or assume a mental health claim is too difficult to pursue. In reality, these claims are made successfully every day where the impact on work capacity is well documented.
How mental health conditions affect work
A mental health condition can affect work in ways that aren't always visible, such as:
- difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- trouble managing stress, deadlines or a normal workload
- struggling to interact with colleagues, customers or supervisors
- fatigue, poor sleep and the side effects of medication
- being unable to attend work reliably or consistently
What matters for a claim
TPD policies vary, but the questions that usually matter are:
- you have stopped working, and a return to your usual work is unlikely
- your condition is ongoing or expected to be permanent
- you had cover at the time you stopped work (or when your condition began)
- you meet the policy's definition of permanent disability — which varies by fund
- you have medical evidence from your GP, psychologist and/or psychiatrist
Mental health claims are common — and often missed
It's easy to assume a mental health claim is too hard, or that you don't have cover. Strong medical evidence and the right policy wording make a real difference — and you may have cover across more than one super account.
Related situations we see
We're often contacted about mental health claims involving:
- PTSD among first responders, veterans, healthcare and frontline workers
- depression or anxiety alongside a physical injury or chronic pain
- burnout and chronic work-related stress that has become long-term
What ClaimSure does
We help you take the first practical step. In a Free Claim Check, we look at your situation, help identify what insurance you may already have across your super accounts, and give you clear next steps in plain English. If your matter needs legal or specialist support, we'll refer you to a trusted provider.