Posted on 23 Jul 2025

CTP Claims NSW: Who Can Claim & What You’re Entitled To

What is CTP or ‘green slip’ in NSW?

In NSW, CTP insurance is also known as a ‘green slip’. Unlike many other states, NSW doesn’t have a state CTP insurer. Instead, CTP insurance is provided by six licensed insurers: AAMI, Allianz, GIO, NRMA Insurance, QBE and Youi.

No matter who you choose when registering your vehicle, all CTP policies offer the same basic coverage because they’re regulated by the NSW government. However, some policies include extra benefits, so it’s always worth checking the terms of your policy before making a CTP claim.

Start your free online claim check

Find out if you’re eligible for a CTP claim in NSW today.

Check your claim nowIt only takes 2 minutes.

Who can make a CTP claim?

While most CTP insurance claims are made by drivers, you don’t have to be behind the wheel to have a valid claim. In our experience, the following people can usually make a CTP claim in NSW:

A driver or passenger.
A pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist.
A public transport passenger injured in a crash.
A parent of a child injured in a road accident.
A witness to a fatal crash.
Someone who lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our expert CTP lawyers can investigate for you. Simply get in touch today for a free, confidential chat.

What does CTP cover in NSW?

In NSW (and throughout Australia), CTP insurance covers physical and psychological injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident.

However, CTP doesn’t cover damage to vehicles or property. So, if your car was damaged and you were at fault, you’ll need third-party property or comprehensive insurance to cover the repairs.

If someone else caused the crash, you may be able to claim for vehicle damage through their insurance, depending on what type of policy they hold.

How much compensation can I get for a CTP injury claim?

In NSW, the amount of compensation you receive depends on whether your CTP claim is a ‘no-fault’ claim or a ‘common law damages’ claim.

No-fault claims provide weekly payments if you’re injured in an accident, no matter how it happened or who’s to blame.
Common law damages claims are lump sum CTP compensation payouts available if someone else caused the accident, and your injuries are more serious.

Let’s dive into both of these in more detail below.

No fault claims in NSW

In NSW, you can still claim compensation even if you caused the accident. The amount you receive depends on how serious your injuries are — specifically, whether they’re assessed as either threshold (minor) or non-minor.

What is a threshold injury?

Threshold injuries are generally less serious and include things like:

Soft tissue injuries (such as whiplash or back pain).
Minor psychological injuries (that don’t meet the criteria for a recognised psychiatric condition).

If you’re diagnosed with a threshold injury, you may be entitled to weekly payments to help with things like:

Lost income: you can receive up to 95% of your pre-injury earnings for the first 13 weeks, then up to 85% from weeks 14 to 52.
Medical treatment: the insurer usually pays your GP or treatment providers directly, so these costs won’t come out of your weekly payments. There may also be a cap on medical costs, depending on how serious your injury is.
Help around the house: whether it's from a paid professional or support from family and friends.

To get these payments, your expenses must be reasonable, necessary, and directly related to your accident. You’ll also need to keep receipts or invoices to prove how much you’ve spent.

These payments usually stop after 12 months, unless your insurer agrees to extend them.

Keep in mind, these benefits are designed to support your recovery — they don’t include compensation for ‘non-economic loss’ such as pain and suffering. Even though most people experience some degree of pain or suffering after a crash, NSW law limits who can claim for non-economic loss. This is done to keep CTP insurance more affordable.

What is a non-minor injury?

Non-minor injuries are more serious and can include:

More serious physical injuries like broken bones, nerve damage, or brain injuries.
Recognised psychiatric conditions like PTSD, depression, or generalised anxiety disorder.

If your injuries are classified as non-minor, you may be eligible for more extensive support. On top of your threshold injury benefits, your compensation may cover:

Future lost income or reduced working capacity.
Future medical costs.
Rehabilitation.

You can usually get these weekly payments for up to 24 months. But if you make a common law claim, your payments may be extended for up to five years.

Common law damages claims in NSW

You might be able to make an additional common law damages claim if:

The accident wasn’t your fault, and
Your injuries are more than minor.

To claim common law damages, you’ll first need to get your level of Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessed.

What is WPI and how is it assessed?

WPI is a measure of the permanent damage caused by your injury. It’s worked out by an independent medical expert once your injury has stabilised, meaning it’s not expected to change with further treatment or time.

You’ll be given a WPI percentage, and that number plays a big role in determining what kind of compensation you can claim:

Your Situation	What You Can Claim
WPI of 10% or less	Economic losses only: * Past lost income. * Loss of future earning capacity.
WPI over 10%	Economic losses (as above), plus: * Pain and suffering. * Loss of enjoyment of life. * Disfigurement. * Reduced life expectancy.

What is pain and suffering?

‘Pain and suffering’ (also called ‘non-economic loss’) is the overall negative impact an injury has on your life. Unlike medical bills or lost income, there’s no fixed dollar amount for this kind of compensation. Instead, the payout depends on how much your injury affects you physically, emotionally, and mentally.

The more serious your injuries, the higher your potential payout. However, NSW also sets a cap on pain and suffering compensation. As of October 2024, the current maximum compensation is $654,000.

It’s worth remembering that pain and suffering is just one part of your total compensation. Your full payout can also include things like lost income, medical expenses, rehab costs, ongoing care, and anything else you’re entitled to. In fact, if your injuries are serious or you were earning a good income before the accident, your claim for future lost earnings or long-term care could be the largest part of your compensation.

To learn more, head to our complete guide to car accident compensation for pain and suffering.

What is the average CTP payout in NSW?

According to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), between November 2023 and October 2024, around 12,000 motor accident injury claims were filed in NSW, with a total of $1.5 billion paid out in benefits and lump sums. This means the average CTP payout was approximately $125,000 per claim.

If you don’t agree with how your insurer has classified your injuries, you can appeal — but you’ll need to act fast.

You have 28 days from the date you receive the ‘liability notice’ (the insurer’s official decision about your claim) to request an internal review. This is your opportunity to share any updated medical evidence that could support your case and potentially change their decision.

If the internal review doesn’t go your way, you can take your appeal to the NSW Personal Injury Commission.

It’s really important to speak with a lawyer before starting this process. Even getting one injury reclassified as ‘non-minor’ could significantly increase your compensation — which is exactly why insurers are often reluctant to change their original decision. Our expert CTP lawyers know how to challenge WPI classifications and have the experience to push back when insurers get it wrong.

If your injury gets worse after it’s been assessed for a CTP claim in NSW, you may be able to request a reassessment. Here’s how it works:

Collect updated medical evidence: you’ll need to provide fresh medical reports or specialist opinions showing how your condition has deteriorated.
Get your injury reclassified: if your injury was originally classified as threshold, the insurer may reclassify your injury as non-minor based on the new evidence.
WPI reassessment: if you’ve already had a WPI assessment but your injuries have become more serious, you may be eligible for a new evaluation. This is especially important if your original WPI was 10% or less.

It’s important to know that once you settle a CTP claim in NSW, you generally can’t get a reassessment — even if your injuries worsen. That’s why it’s crucial to wait until your injuries have fully stabilised before accepting any offer from the insurer.

The only exception is if your claim hasn’t been finalised yet. For instance, if you’re still receiving weekly payments and haven’t agreed to a full and final lump sum settlement, you may still be eligible for reassessment.

If you’re thinking about getting your injury reassessed, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer first. We know exactly what kind of evidence you’ll need and specialise in helping people injured on NSW roads get over the threshold.

And if you’ve already received an offer from the insurer, we offer free second opinions — so it won’t cost you a thing to check if they’re lowballing you.

In NSW, your CTP benefits may be cut off if the insurer believes you’re no longer eligible — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right. Here are some common reasons benefits might stop:

The insurer says your injuries have resolved or that you’re fit to return to work.
Your injuries were assessed as threshold, and you’ve hit the 12-month limit for income and treatment benefits.
Your injuries were assessed as above threshold, and you’ve reached the time limit for weekly payments (typically up to five years).
Your wage-replacement benefits have been cut off because you accepted a lump sum payment through a common law damages claim.

If your benefits have stopped and you disagree with the insurer’s decision, you’re entitled to challenge it. Before doing so, make sure to speak with a specialist CTP claims lawyer. We have decades of experience taking on the big insurers and will help you put together fresh, compelling evidence proving their mistake.

NSW CTP claim example: Cyclist Robert wins $1.72 mil for catastrophic crash

Robert was seriously injured when hit by a car while cycling to work, leaving him unable to return to his high-paying job and requiring ongoing care. Our lawyers worked closely with experts to document his physical, emotional, and financial losses, ensuring he received the maximum compensation possible for his lost income and pain and suffering.

During the claim, Robert was involved in a second accident, which the insurer used to challenge his compensation. However, we successfully demonstrated that his losses were due to the first crash. Ultimately, we secured a $1.72 million out-of-court settlement — the highest allowed under NSW law.

Read Robert's full story

How to make a CTP insurance claim in NSW

Every CTP injury claim in NSW looks a little different depending on how badly you’re injured and who’s to blame.

If the car accident was your fault, all you need to do is lodge the claim with your own insurer and wait for their reply. Be sure to include all relevant documents, such as reports from your GP and any receipts for medical treatment.

But if someone else caused the accident, your claims process will be slightly more complex:

Before you begin your claim, it’s a good idea to speak with an expert CTP insurance lawyer in NSW. We’ll help you understand all your entitlements and assess how strong your case is.

In this free consultation, we’ll also check if you’re eligible to make a common law damages claim, so you get the highest possible compensation for your injuries.

To make a successful CTP claim, you’ll need solid evidence proving both your injuries and the other person’s fault. Without this evidence, your claim could be delayed or even outright denied.

Our lawyers work with a trusted network of medical and liability experts to build you a strong, evidence-backed case. And don’t worry about the cost — we cover all the upfront expenses, and there’s nothing for you to pay unless we win.

Once we’ve collected all the necessary evidence, we’ll lodge your CTP claim with the other party’s insurer. If you’re also eligible to make a common law damages claim, we’ll begin court proceedings at this point.

Once your claim is lodged, the insurer will get in touch to let you know whether it’s been accepted. If it’s approved, you should start receiving weekly payments within 14 days. But if your claim is denied or if the insurer offers less than what you’re truly entitled to, we’ll step in and appeal the decision immediately.

If we’ve lodged a common law damages claim for you, you’ll need to attend a mandatory pre-court mediation with the insurer. But don’t worry, we’ll handle all the negotiations on your behalf and keep the entire process stress-free.

Thanks to our strong preparation and years of experience dealing with motor accident insurers, your CTP claim will probably settle at this stage. But if the insurer still won’t come to the table with a fair offer, we’re ready to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve.

NSW CTP claim example: Anastasia secures $900k after leaving her first lawyer

Anastasia suffered serious neck and back injuries when another car crashed into hers, leaving her with permanent scarring and severe psychological trauma. Unable to work and struggling to afford treatment, she turned to us after losing faith in her first lawyer. Within two months, we secured temporary payments and ensured her surgery costs were covered.

To strengthen her case, we gathered detailed medical evidence and expert assessments showing the long-term impact of her injuries. Despite the insurer’s resistance, we fought hard through multiple negotiations and ultimately secured a $900,000 settlement plus legal costs.

Read Anastasia's full story

Do time limits apply to NSW CTP claims?

Yes, time limits apply to all CTP claims in NSW. To begin with, you have 28 days to report the accident to the police and lodge an Accident Notification Form for early treatment expenses.

Once that’s done, you have three months to lodge an Application for Personal Injury Benefits form with the Personal Injury Commission. If you’re making a common law damages claim too, you’ll need to start it within three years.

If you’re already outside NSW’s CTP injury claim limit, you may be able to apply for an exception. This is a legal reason for the delay in filing your claim. Our specialist motor accident lawyers have extensive knowledge of NSW time limit exceptions and can apply for an extension on your behalf. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of injured people get their delayed CTP claims approved.

How long does the CTP claim process take in NSW?

After you lodge your CTP claim, the insurer has four weeks to tell you if it’s been accepted or rejected. If it’s accepted, payments must start within 14 days.

They’ll then send you a ‘liability notice’ within three months. This outlines two key decisions: whether your injuries are classified as threshold or non-minor, and who they believe caused the accident.

If you’re pursuing a common law damages claim, the process takes a little longer — between 12 to 18 months, on average. The exact timeline depends on factors like how complex your injuries are, what treatment you need and how long your condition takes to stabilise.

To find out how long your claim could take, get in touch today. Once we know the facts of your particular situation, we can give you a more accurate timeline.

Can I get free help from a CTP claims lawyer?

In NSW, lawyers aren’t allowed to charge for helping with a basic CTP claim, so you won’t get a bill from us for that part of your case.

If your injuries are serious and someone else was at fault, you may also be entitled to a common law damages claim. In these cases, the insurer must cover most of your legal costs. If their contribution won’t cover everything, we’ll always let you know upfront. And because we work on a No Win No Fee basis, you won’t pay anything unless your claim succeeds.

Can a lawyer get me a larger CTP payout?

If you’ve been injured on the road in NSW, getting basic CTP benefits might seem simple enough. But in reality, these payments often fall short of covering your ongoing medical costs, domestic care needs, and the real impact of your pain and suffering. That’s where an expert lawyer can really help.

Here’s how we help maximise your CTP payout:

Offer clear, free advice upfront: we’ll explain your rights and entitlements at no cost — so you can make confident, informed decisions.
Build a strong case for liability: we use expert evidence and proven legal strategies to establish fault — even in complex motor accident claims.
Uncover every area of loss: we dig deep to understand how your injury has affected your life physically, emotionally, and financially.
Pursue all available claims: we assess your eligibility for additional compensation, including Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims.
Stand up to insurers: with a proven track record and industry recognition, we’re not afraid to take on big insurers to fight for what you deserve.