Plain-English TPD guide

TPD Medical Evidence

Medical evidence can be an important part of a TPD claim — but a claim isn't simply about proving you have a diagnosis. The broader question is how your illness or injury affects your ability to function and work. See how Thrive Claims can help.

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Question 1 of 5

Are you currently unable to work, or finding it very difficult to work, due to a mental or physical illness or injury?

This is the core requirement for a TPD claim, either physical or mental health-related.

A TPD claim generally requires an inability to work due to illness or injury, so this may mean you're not eligible right now. If your situation is more complicated than a simple yes/no, keep going, we're happy to talk it through with you.
Question 2 of 5

Do you currently receive the Disability Support Pension (DSP), or are you an NDIS participant?

Neither of these affects a TPD claim, but if you've already been through this process, you may have more of the evidence needed than you realise.

Question 3 of 5

Has your illness or injury lasted, or is it expected to last, a significant period of time?

Most policies require your condition to be ongoing or unlikely to substantially improve, not just short term.

Question 4 of 5

Have you ever had a superannuation account, current or from a previous job?

Most TPD and income protection cover is held inside super, so this is often where an entitlement is sitting.

Question 5 of 5

Have you seen a doctor, specialist, or other medical professional about your condition?

Medical evidence is central to any claim. Even limited treatment history can usually be built on.

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Your guide

Plain-English Information

Medical evidence is a critical part of all TPD claims, although a TPD claim is not simply about proving a diagnosis. TPD medical evidence needs to help explain how your illness or injury affects your symptoms, treatment, functional capacity and ability to work. Evidence may come from your GP, treating specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, hospitals and other healthcare professionals, depending on your circumstances and policy requirements. Medical reports and treatment records can also help show how your condition has developed over time. The evidence relevant to a depression, anxiety, spinal condition, cancer, neurological condition or physical injury claim may be very different. Understanding what TPD medical evidence may be relevant, and how it connects your condition to your work capacity can help you better understand your TPD claim through superannuation.

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Medical evidence

The Distinction That Matters Most

Having a condition is not the same as being unable to perform relevant work because of that condition.

What Medical Evidence May Be Relevant?

Depending on your circumstances, evidence may include information from:

Your GP
Treating specialists
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Other treating practitioners
Hospitals or treatment providers

A Diagnosis Is Only Part of the Picture

A diagnosis can establish that a medical condition exists. But a TPD claim may also require consideration of:

Symptoms, severity and treatment
Restrictions and prognosis
Functional capacity and work capacity
This is why the quality and relevance of the evidence can matter just as much as the diagnosis itself.

Evidence for Mental Health Claims

Mental health conditions can involve evidence relating to concentration, stress tolerance, reliability, social functioning, decision-making, attendance and the ability to maintain employment. The appropriate evidence will depend on your individual circumstances and diagnosis — see PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder and Eating Disorders.

Evidence for Physical Conditions

For physical conditions, relevant issues may include mobility, lifting, standing, sitting, reaching, repetitive movements, fatigue, pain and physical endurance. The specific relevance depends on your occupation and policy — see conditions like Chronic Back Pain, Herniated Disc, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis.

What If Your Evidence Is Incomplete?

Don't assume an incomplete medical record means you cannot claim. A TPD claim can involve multiple sources of information, and the appropriate evidence depends on your specific circumstances. This is one reason professional assistance can be valuable — you don't need to work out the entire evidence strategy yourself.

Related claim areas: our services, TPD claims, superannuation claims, income protection claims, multiple super funds claims, mental health claims, physical injury and illness claims, TPD claims for DSP recipients, TPD claims for NDIS participants, TPD claims for motor accident claimants, and TPD insurance through super.

Medical records are most useful when they explain what your condition means for treatment, daily function and the work you can realistically sustain. For a TPD claim, that account needs to relate to the applicable policy; superannuation claims and Income Protection claims may ask different questions of the same medical history. Evidence for a physical injury or illness claim may focus on movement, stamina or pain, while mental health claims may require a clearer account of concentration, symptoms and ongoing treatment. Where insurance exists across multiple super funds, the relevant dates and requirements may differ between policies. Records connected with a Disability Support Pension application or NDIS participation may be worth discussing, without assuming that those assessments satisfy an insurer's test. If your condition followed a motor vehicle accident affecting your work capacity, the medical timeline can be important as well. Through our claims services, Thrive Claims can help you explore which pathway the evidence relates to, rather than treating a diagnosis as the whole claim.

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TPD Claims & Medical Conditions

TPD claims can arise from many different illnesses and injuries. Explore by category below.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers about TPD medical evidence, written in plain English.

What medical evidence is needed for a TPD claim?
There is no single set of medical evidence that applies to every TPD claim. Depending on the circumstances, evidence may include reports and records from your GP, specialists and other treating professionals, together with information about your symptoms, treatment, functional limitations and capacity for work. See TPD Claim Medical Report →
Does a TPD medical report have to say I am permanently disabled?
The report needs to accurately address your medical circumstances and the matters relevant to the applicable policy. The wording and information required can differ depending on the condition, policy and circumstances.
Why is functional capacity important in a TPD claim?
A diagnosis explains the medical condition, but functional capacity helps explain what the condition means in everyday life and employment. Depending on the policy, limitations involving concentration, mobility, fatigue, communication, attendance or other work-related functions may be relevant. See TPD Work Capacity Evidence →
Can medical evidence from my GP be relevant to a TPD claim?
Yes. GP records and reports can form part of the medical history for a TPD claim, although the appropriate evidence depends on the nature of the condition and requirements of the relevant policy.
Can specialist reports be used as TPD evidence?
Yes. Specialist reports can provide important information about diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and functional effects, depending on the condition and circumstances. See TPD Claim Medical Report →
What if my medical records do not explain everything?
That does not necessarily mean there is no relevant evidence. Different sources of medical, employment and functional information can contribute to understanding the overall circumstances of a claim. See TPD Claim Documents →
How far back should my medical evidence go?
This varies by claim, but a treatment history that shows how your condition developed and progressed is often more valuable than a single recent report. If your condition has been building over several years, records covering that full period can genuinely help explain your current circumstances.

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