Opt-in to insurance
Home Your Money Insurance Opt-in to insurance
The Australian Government requires certain members to opt-in to either receive or keep insurance cover through their super account.
New members who are under 25 and/or have a balance below $6,000 must opt-in to receive insurance cover.
Meanwhile, existing members with accounts that have been inactive for 16 months or members with balances below $6,000, who have not opted-in to keep their cover, will have their insurance cancelled.
The measures are part of new regulations designed to preserve the super balances of members with inactive or low balance accounts for longer, by ensuring members are not paying insurance premiums for cover they may not need.
I want to opt-in for insurance
Complete the following form to let us know that you want to begin receiving, or would like to keep, insurance cover from Qantas Super.
Frequently Asked Questions for existing members
-
What kind of insurance could I have through Qantas Super?
Income protection: can provide you with a monthly income if you become ill or injured and are temporarily unable to work.
Total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover: can provide you with a lump sum payout to help out if you become totally and permanently disabled and can no longer work.
Death cover: can provide your dependants with a lump sum payout if you pass away. This is also known as life insurance or “life cover”. If you are diagnosed with a terminal condition, you may be able to receive an advance payment of your death benefit as a terminal illness benefit.
-
Do I need insurance?
Do you need the insurance you have in your account? Here are some things to think about before it is automatically switched off:
- If you passed away, what debts would be left behind for your loved ones to pay? Death cover can be used to help pay off debts or look after financial dependants so they aren’t left financially vulnerable.
- What would your financial needs be if you were unable to work due to disability? Income protection and TPD cover can help you afford extra expenses, like in-house care and mobility equipment, and provide extra money to live on.
- Do you have insurance in another super fund? If you do, work out which combination of superannuation and insurance cover best suits your needs.
If you need help to figure out what kind of insurance cover you might need, you can get simple advice over the phone or face to face. It’s included as a part of your membership so there’s no extra cost.
-
What type and how much insurance cover do I have?
The letter we sent you advises you of your cover details. Alternatively, you can log into your account to see the details or view your most recent statement.
-
How much are my insurance premiums?
The letter we sent you includes information about your monthly insurance premiums. You can also find information about your insurance premiums by logging into your account or viewing your most recent statement.
-
How do I know how much insurance cover I need?
To determine what level and type of insurance is right for you, you should consider your personal circumstances, including:
- what your specific needs are for financial security and peace of mind
- whether you have any dependants or debts, like a mortgage
- whether you may be able to get insurance cover again in the future – this may be difficult depending on your age, occupation and health circumstances
- the cost of your insurance cover and what your account balance is with Qantas Super
- whether your superannuation can be consolidated into one account to minimise costs
If you need help to figure out what kind of insurance cover you might need, you can get simple advice over the phone or face to face. It’s included as a part of your membership so there’s no extra cost.
The insurance needs calculator, provided by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, can also give you a general picture of whether you have enough insurance cover for death, disablement, and income protection.
-
I've just made a change to my insurance cover - do I still need to opt in?
If the reason your insurance may be cancelled is because your account is inactive, then yes, you do still need to opt in or make a contribution to your super, even if you have actively changed your insurance cover.
If your account balance is below $6,000 and you’ve made a change to your insurance cover, then you don’t need to opt in to keep your insurance cover.
-
I've taken out extra voluntary insurance cover through Qantas Super - do I still need to opt in?
If the reason your insurance may be cancelled is because your account is inactive, then yes, you do still need to opt in or make a contribution to your super, even if you have taken out extra voluntary insurance cover through Qantas Super.
If your account balance is below $6,000 and you’ve taken out extra voluntary insurance cover, then you don’t need to opt in to keep your insurance cover.
-
What happens if I have an existing claim?
You are currently covered by insurance provided through Qantas Super. This means that if you have already made a claim on your insurance and are waiting on an outcome, any potential payment will not be affected by this change.
However, you will not be covered if your account has been inactive for 16 months or you have a balance below $6,000 on 1 April 2020 and you do not opt in to keep your insurance. This means you cannot claim if you become ill or injured after your cover cancellation date.
-
What happens if my cover is cancelled because my account balance is below $6,000 and I didn’t opt in, but later my balance grows to more than $6,000?
If you are under 25 and your balance grows above $6,000, you will not be eligible to receive Basic Cover automatically until you turn 25.
If you are over 25 and your balance grows to above $6,000, you will become eligible for automatic cover. This means Basic Cover will automatically be applied to your account.
Limited Cover will apply until you’ve been in Active Employment for 60 consecutive days. After this, you will receive full cover automatically.
Limited Cover means you’re only covered for an illness which became apparent, or an injury which first occurred, on or after the date cover recommenced.
Active Employment means you are:
- actively performing, or capable of actively performing, all of the duties of your normal occupation without modification for at least 35 hours per week;
- performing, or capable of performing, your duties free from any limitation due to illness or injury; and
- not receiving or entitled to claim, income support benefits from any source.
-
What happens if I opt in?
Your cover will continue, and we will continue to deduct premiums to pay for that cover. If no contributions are made to your account after you opt in, we’ll contact you at least every 15 months to remind you:
- that you chose to stay covered
- to review your financial situation and your cover, to make sure your cover is still right for you.
-
My account is currently inactive. What happens if I make a contribution to my account?
If you make a contribution or rollover to your account before your cancellation date, and your account balance is greater than $6,000, your cover will continue – and your account will no longer be considered inactive.
In future, if you stop making contributions to your super account for nine months, we’ll write to ask you to opt in or make a contribution if you want to stay covered. We’ll also send you reminders after your account has been inactive for 12 and 15 months.
If you don’t opt in or make a contribution within 16 months, your insurance cover will end.
-
What if my account becomes inactive in the future?
In future, if you stop making contributions to your super account for nine months, we’ll write to ask you to opt in or make a contribution if you want to stay covered. We’ll also send you reminders after your account has been inactive for 12 and 15 months.
If you don’t opt in or make a contribution within 16 months, your insurance cover will end.
-
What can I do to make sure I don't lose my insurance cover in the future?
Once you’ve opted in to keep your insurance, you should make sure there is enough in your account to cover the premiums.
-
What happens if I do nothing?
If we don’t receive your decision to opt-in or a contribution to your account before your cancellation date, your Qantas Super insurance will be cancelled and the premiums you pay for the insurance will stop.
-
Can I re-apply for insurance cover after it ends?
If you re-apply for insurance cover within 60 days of it being cancelled it will be automatically reinstated, as long as you’re ‘At Work’.
‘At Work’ means you’re at work for your normal daily hours of work, without any restrictions, when you re-apply for cover. You’re still considered ‘At Work’ if you re-apply for cover on a public holiday, weekend day, or a day of leave (other than leave taken due to illness or injury).
However, if you’re not At Work, then Limited Cover applies until you return to being At Work for 30 consecutive days.
Limited Cover means you’re only covered for an illness which became apparent, or an injury which first occurred, on or after the date cover recommenced. Your cover will be backdated to the date when it was first cancelled, and premiums deducted from your account for this period.
If you re-apply for cover more than 60 days after it has been cancelled, underwriting will apply.
-
Will you contact me again if I am at risk of losing my insurance cover in the future?
In future, if you stop making contributions to your super account for nine months, we’ll write to ask you to opt in or make a contribution if you want to stay covered. We’ll also send you reminders after your account has been inactive for 12 and 15 months.
If you don’t opt in or make a contribution within 16 months, your insurance cover will end.
-
What happens if I’m on leave without pay?
If no contributions are made to your account because you’re on leave without pay, your insurance cover will be cancelled unless you opt in. However, once you come back to work and Qantas Group contributions are made into your account, your insurance will re-start from this date and premiums will again be deducted from your account, as long as you’re ‘At Work’.
‘At Work’ means you’re at work for your normal daily hours of work, without any restrictions, when you re-apply for cover. You’re still considered ‘At Work’ if you re-apply for cover on a public holiday, weekend day, or a day of leave (other than leave taken due to illness or injury).
However, if you’re not At Work, then Limited Cover applies until you return to being At Work for 30 consecutive days. Limited Cover means you’re only covered for an illness which became apparent, or an injury which first occurred, on or after the date cover recommenced.
-
My account balance is currently below $6,000. What happens if I top it up to above $6,000?
If you make a contribution or rollover to your account before your cancellation date, your cover will continue and your account will no longer be considered a ‘low balance account’, even if it later falls below $6,000.
Frequently Asked Questions for new members
-
What kind of insurance could I have through Qantas Super?
Income protection: can provide you with a monthly income if you become ill or injured and are temporarily unable to work.
Total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover: can provide you with a lump sum payout to help out if you become totally and permanently disabled and can no longer work.
Death cover: can provide your dependants with a lump sum payout if you pass away. This is also known as life insurance or “life cover”. If you are diagnosed with a terminal condition, you may be able to receive an advance payment of your death benefit as a terminal illness benefit.
-
Do I need insurance?
Do you need the insurance you have in your account? Here are some things to think about before it is automatically switched off:
- If you passed away, what debts would be left behind for your loved ones to pay? Death cover can be used to help pay off debts or look after financial dependants so they aren’t left financially vulnerable.
- What would your financial needs be if you were unable to work due to disability? Income protection and TPD cover can help you afford extra expenses, like in-house care and mobility equipment, and provide extra money to live on.
- Do you have insurance in another super fund? If you do, work out which combination of superannuation and insurance cover best suits your needs.
If you need help to figure out what kind of insurance cover you might need, you can get simple advice over the phone or face to face. It’s included as a part of your membership so there’s no extra cost.
-
How do I know how much insurance cover I need?
To determine what level and type of insurance is right for you, you should consider your personal circumstances, including:
- what your specific needs are for financial security and peace of mind
- whether you have any dependants or debts, like a mortgage
- whether you may be able to get insurance cover again in the future – this may be difficult depending on your age, occupation and health circumstances
- the cost of your insurance cover and what your account balance is with Qantas Super
- whether your superannuation can be consolidated into one account to minimise costs
If you need help to figure out what kind of insurance cover you might need, you can get simple advice over the phone or face to face. It’s included as a part of your membership so there’s no extra cost.
The insurance needs calculator, provided by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, can also give you a general picture of whether you have enough insurance cover for death, disablement, and income protection.
-
What is Limited Cover?
Limited Cover means you will not be covered for any pre-existing condition.
You will only be covered for an illness which became apparent to you, or any injury which occurred to you, on or after the date that you received cover.
-
What happens if I opt in?
If you opt-in to receive insurance cover, Basic Cover for death (including terminal illness), total and permanent disablement, and income protection will be applied to your account. This cover will be based on your Salary for Insurance Purposes, which is supplied by your employer.
Limited Cover will apply until you’ve been in Active Employment for 60 consecutive days.
-
What happens if I do nothing?
If you do not opt-in, Basic Cover will be automatically applied to your account when you meet the eligibility criteria. To be eligible you must be 25 or above and your super balance with us must be $6,000 or more.
Limited Cover will apply until you’ve been in Active Employment for 60 consecutive days.
-
My account balance is currently below $6,000. What happens if I top it up to above $6,000?
If you are under 25 and top up your balance to above $6,000, you will not be eligible to receive Basic Cover automatically until you turn 25. If you want to receive Basic Cover before becoming eligible, you can opt-in above.
If you are over 25 and top up your balance to above $6,000, you will become eligible for automatic cover. This means Basic Cover will automatically be applied to your account.
Limited Cover will apply until you’ve been in Active Employment for 60 consecutive days.
-
What does 'Active Employment' mean?
Active Employment means you are: actively performing, or capable of actively performing, all of the duties of your normal occupation without modification for at least 35 hours per week; performing, or capable of performing, your duties free from any limitation due to illness or injury; and not receiving or entitled to claim, due to illness or injury, income support benefits from any source.
Case studies
These case studies are based on real-life scenarios and show the difference that insurance could make.
Death cover
Steven (30) and Liana (29) were the proud parents of twin baby girls, when Steven was tragically killed in a car accident returning from work. Steven did not have any death cover.
Liana worked part time while the girls stayed with her parents, but her income was insufficient to cover their mortgage and living costs. This meant she had to sell the family home in a depressed market, getting less for it than what they paid – and leaving her with a substantial debt to pay off.
With death cover, Liana would potentially have been able to pay off the mortgage or reduce it to a level she could pay off on one income – giving her and the girls long term financial security.
Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) cover
Daniel was 24 and living life to the full, when he had a serious surfing accident that left him totally and permanently disabled. He didn’t have any TPD insurance.
Daniel’s parents, Ron and Sarah, had paid off the family home and were looking forward to a financially secure retirement. After Daniel’s accident, however, they had to take on new debt and refinance their home to help pay for Daniel’s rehabilitation and ongoing care costs, and to adapt their home for wheelchair access.
With TPD cover, Daniel would potentially have received a lump sum payment to contribute to the costs of his care, providing him with greater financial independence. The lump sum payment could have also helped replace the income and superannuation he would have otherwise earned – providing valuable funds to live on into the future.
Income Protection cover
Louise was 32, single and enjoying her career as an architect when she fractured her knee falling down the steps of her apartment building, which left her unable to work for 6 months.
Her insurance through her employer’s superannuation included income protection cover, which paid a benefit for up to two years. This meant Louise received monthly benefits of 75% of her income for the time she was off work – helping cover her essential living costs during this time.
Without income protection, Louise would have had to give up her city apartment and move back in with her parents. She may also have had to go into debt to fund her other living costs. But with the protection of a regular income protection benefit, Louise could maintain her financial independence – and stay focused on her own recovery.
Was this helpful?
We're here to help
If want to learn more or need help with making a decision about your insurance, you can get simple advice over the phone or face to face. It’s included as a part of your membership so there’s no extra cost.