Yes—under the stated account-inactivity rule, Moneysmart’s insurance-through-super guidance says that, by law, super funds cancel insurance on accounts with no contributions for at least 16 months (page updated 17 September 2026; figures checked 1 October 2026). If a cleaner holds income protection through that account, it falls within the rule; some funds may also cancel insurance if the balance is too low, so check the product disclosure statement (PDS) or contact the fund before relying on cover.
Does this rule mean every cleaner has income protection through super?
Not necessarily. Moneysmart says most super funds, except self-managed super funds, offer life, total and permanent disability (TPD), and income protection. Some funds automatically provide income protection, so check your own account rather than assuming you have it.
Income protection, also called salary continuance cover, pays regular income for a set period if illness or injury prevents you from working. Check the type and amount of cover, the premium, and when the cover ends or can be cancelled.
Can a low super balance also end the cover?
Yes. Some funds may cancel insurance if the balance is too low under their own rules. Moneysmart’s guidance distinguishes several balance situations:
| Situation | Moneysmart guidance |
|---|---|
| New member under 25, or balance under $6,000 | Insurance does not start automatically unless you ask the fund or work in a dangerous job for which the fund provides automatic cover that you can cancel. |
| Existing super insurance and balance falls below $6,000 | You usually keep the cover. |
| Balance considered too low under a fund-specific rule | Some funds may cancel the insurance. |
The cited guidance does not provide one low-balance cancellation amount that applies to every fund. Check your own PDS and ask the fund how it applies its balance rules.
What should a cleaner check before relying on the cover?
- Confirm the cover exists. Call your super fund, log in online, or check your annual statement and PDS.
- Check the policy details. You will usually be able to see whether you have life, TPD and/or income protection, the amount, the premiums, and when the cover ends or can be cancelled.
- Read the PDS. Check exclusions, pre-existing condition rules, who insures the policy, what is covered, and the claim rules.
- Ask about cancellation conditions. Confirm when the fund says the cover will end and which contribution or balance rules apply.
- Check alternatives before switching funds or closing the account. Compare the cover through super with possible cover outside super.
What should I do if I want to keep the cover?
Moneysmart says to tell your super fund or add money to the super account if you want to keep the insurance. Your fund will contact you before the cover ends, but you should contact the fund yourself for confirmation rather than assuming that a contribution resolves every balance or policy condition.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the linked Moneysmart guidance, any relevant regulator page, and your policy’s PDS before making a decision.
Sources
FAQ
What does the 16-month rule actually say?
Moneysmart says that, by law, super funds cancel insurance on accounts with no contributions for at least 16 months. The guidance says your fund will contact you before the cover ends, but you should ask the fund for the cancellation date that applies to your account.
Does falling below $6,000 always cancel existing cover?
No. Moneysmart says you usually keep existing super insurance if your balance falls below $6,000. However, some funds have their own rules and may cancel cover if the balance becomes too low, so check the PDS and contact the fund.
Will adding money guarantee that my cover remains?
Moneysmart says to tell your fund or add money to the account if you want to keep the insurance. It does not present that action as a guarantee under every fund’s balance rules, so ask the fund to confirm the status of your cover.
Should I check my insurance before changing super funds?
Yes. Cover may stop when you change funds, so check your insurance before switching or closing an account. Comparing super cover with insurance available outside super can help you identify gaps or overlapping policies.
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