Insurance for Offshore and Onshore Oil & Gas Workers
Oil and gas workers — whether on offshore platforms in the Carnarvon Basin, remote LNG facilities in the Pilbara, or onshore gas fields across the NT and QLD — face occupational hazards that require specialist insurance consideration. The good news is that cover is available and often more affordable than people assume.
Offshore Platform Workers
Working offshore introduces risks that some insurers treat cautiously — helicopter transfers, remote location, high-pressure environments, and limited medical access. Key points for offshore workers:
- Check whether your policy includes or excludes helicopter and light aircraft travel — this should be included for any FIFO worker
- Some insurers have specific offshore exclusions — your adviser will screen these out before recommending a policy
- Offshore workers often command higher wages; make sure your income figure for IP purposes includes all allowances and penalty rates
Onshore Oil & Gas FIFO
Onshore oil and gas workers (gas plant operators, pipeline crews, compression station workers) are typically classified at a lower risk level than offshore, meaning more competitive premiums and fewer restrictions. However, roles involving confined spaces, high-pressure systems, or toxic substances will still require careful underwriting.
LNG facility workers and downstream processing roles are generally more accessible to insurers than upstream drilling and exploration. Your occupation classification will determine your premium band — getting this right at application stage avoids problems at claim time.
Income Protection for Oil & Gas Workers
With total remuneration packages often exceeding $150,000–$250,000 per year, income protection is critical for oil and gas FIFO workers. A 6-month absence from a serious injury or illness without IP cover can devastate years of financial progress.
Key things to consider for oil & gas IP:
- Accurately document all income components — base, allowances, penalties, overtime
- Consider a longer benefit period (to age 65) given the high earning potential of these roles
- Waiting period selection — if you have adequate sick leave and savings, a 90-day wait can reduce premiums significantly
Life and TPD Cover for Oil & Gas Workers
Life insurance cover amounts for oil and gas workers follow the same principles as other FIFO occupations — enough to clear debts and replace income for your family. Given the income levels involved, $2M–$3M in life cover is not unusual for workers in their 30s and 40s with significant mortgages and young families.
TPD cover should ideally be on an own occupation basis, particularly for offshore workers or those in specialist technical roles who would be unable to return to their specific occupation after a serious disability.