TAL has entered into a multi-year partnership with mental health organisation SANE, aiming to broaden access to mental health support for individuals with complex needs.
The collaboration involves the development of digital mental health services and the rollout of a peer recovery pilot program for insurance claimants, with a focus on those navigating income protection and total and permanent disability (TPD) claims.
The three-year agreement between the TAL Community Foundation and SANE is designed to reach Australians who have experienced significant mental health distress, particularly those who may not have engaged with traditional clinical pathways. The initiative will explore how digital psychosocial support can be integrated with existing place-based clinical services, seeking to provide a more seamless care experience for vulnerable populations.
SANE’s expertise in digital mental health, combined with TAL’s national footprint, is expected to facilitate the delivery of support at scale.
SANE CEO Rachel Green (pictured right) commented: “We see it as vitally important to partner with organisations like TAL, who have such a huge reach across Australia and the community – and this partnership represents a significant opportunity for us to advocate and bring forward the collective intelligence of our complex mental health community at an even greater scale.”
Green also emphasised the ongoing collaboration, noting that SANE aims to strengthen the voices of those with lived mental health experience through its partnership with TAL. “We look forward to continuing to work with TAL to amplify the perspectives of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, to achieve more equitable health outcomes and a better connected mental healthcare experience for people no matter where they live across the country,” she said.
The partnership comes as mental health conditions have become the leading cause of TPD claims in Australia. According to the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI), mental health now represents nearly one-third of all TPD claims paid.
In 2024, life insurers paid out more than $2.2 billion in retail claims related to mental health, almost double the figure from five years earlier. Income protection claims for mental health reached $887 million in the same period. A notable increase in claims has been observed among younger Australians, with TPD claims for mental health in those in their 30s rising by over 700% in the past decade.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has highlighted the growing prevalence of mental health conditions and their implications for the insurance sector and the broader economy. In its submission to the Productivity Commission, the ICA noted that mental health claims now account for 44% of life insurance payouts, up from 25% in 2019. Psychological injury claims are also rising in workers’ compensation schemes, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales.
The ICA estimates the annual economic cost of poor mental health in Australia at more than $200 billion, factoring in lost productivity, absenteeism, and increased insurance claims. In Victoria alone, the cost is estimated at $14.2 billion per year, with workplace impacts making up a significant share.
In addition, a new peer recovery pilot program, jointly launched by TAL and SANE, will provide eligible superannuation fund members on claim with access to tailored support. The 20-week program, delivered by SANE and peer workers with lived experience, is intended to help participants manage their recovery and improve their quality of life. Services include one-on-one sessions, group recovery meetings, and opportunities for community engagement.
The program is structured to bridge the gap between primary care and peer-led recovery support, and is designed to be inclusive of diverse groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The University of Melbourne will conduct an independent evaluation of the program’s effectiveness.
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TAL group CEO and managing director Fiona Macgregor (pictured left) commented on the partnership, highlighting the company’s focus on working with organisations such as SANE to enhance the delivery of mental health care. “We believe that addressing community mental health requires increased collaboration among participants in the mental health ecosystem. Our partnership with SANE aims to expand timely access to mental health support when and where it is needed,” she said.
Georgina Croft, TAL’s chief claims officer, added: “It’s clear that the rising instance of complex mental health conditions is having a profound impact on the people and families we support every day, which is why we’re committed to working collaboratively with experts like SANE, alongside our industry partners, to ensure we are there for people in their most vulnerable moments, and support their recovery.”
