AFL players are about to lose a major layer of financial protection for brain injuries, with more than 500 footballers set to be excluded from certain insurance claims through their superannuation from May 1.
The change affects claims tied to traumatic head injury, concussion, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), post-concussion syndrome, and other neurological impairments linked to brain injury. Zurich Insurance confirmed to the ABC that no total and permanent disability (TPD) benefit will be payable for those conditions if a claim is made after the change takes effect.
The decision comes as concerns around concussion in Australian rules football continue to build, both in the courts and across the sport more broadly. More than 100 former players are now involved in a class action against the AFL over concussion-related injuries, while former Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw is separately pursuing a payout dispute with Zurich after being forced into retirement because of concussion issues.
Zurich said the change followed a request to submit a revised insurance proposal for the AFL Players Association superannuation fund, whose trustee is AMP. According to the ABC, Zurich was the only insurer to put forward an offering in a recent tender.
"We understand that the trustee [AMP], in consultation with the AFLPA, determined Zurich's proposal was the most appropriate when compared with other available market offerings," a Zurich spokesperson said.
The insurer said uncertainty over the long-term effects of concussion and the possible scale of CTE risk remained a major issue.
“There remains continued widespread uncertainty about the long-term health impacts and risks associated with concussion events from playing high-contact sports, including the subsequent development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE),” it said.
At present, AFL footballers are entitled to up to $1.1 million in death and TPD cover through their superannuation. From May 1, TPD cover will be reduced by $650,000 and death cover by $350,000.
Zurich also pointed to a separate support measure introduced by the AFL and AFLPA last year: “Beyond individual or group insurance arrangements we acknowledge the establishment of the Severe Injury Benefit by the AFL and AFLPA in May 2025 to support players who have suffered a significant cognitive or bodily impairment from playing football.”
That support sits alongside a $54 million injury and support fund, which allows former players exiting the game with severe injuries to access lump sum payments of up to $600,000. Even so, former AFL players are not covered by WorkCover.
The insurance changes also land against a backdrop of growing evidence linking repeated head knocks in football to long-term brain disease. Several former AFL players, including Shane Tuck, Danny Frawley, Adam Hunter, and Heather Anderson, were diagnosed with CTE post-mortem.
