If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Queensland, you may be eligible to claim compensation for injuries, lost income and medical expenses.
This is known as a CTP claim (Compulsory Third Party). Every registered vehicle in Queensland includes CTP insurance as part of its registration, which covers the cost of injuries caused by that vehicle.
To make a claim, you’ll need to:
- Complete a Notice of Accident Claim (NOAC) form
- Attach a medical certificate
- Provide proof of identity
- Submit everything to the insurer of the at fault vehicle
You generally have 9 months from the date of the accident to lodge your claim. However, if you speak to a lawyer first, the deadline is reduced to just 1 month from that consultation.
This guide will outline a complete step-by-step process for lodging your claim.
Understanding CTP Insurance in Queensland
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is a mandatory insurance policy attached to every registered vehicle in Queensland.
It covers the cost of injuries caused by that vehicle in an accident. It is not the same as comprehensive car insurance, which covers vehicle damage.
How CTP works
When you register a vehicle in Queensland, part of the registration fee goes toward a CTP insurance premium.
Three licensed insurers currently operate in Queensland: Suncorp (approximately 55% of the market), Allianz (approximately 31%) and QBE (approximately 14%), according to MAIC Quarterly CTP Scheme Insights.
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you make your claim against the CTP insurer of the vehicle that caused the crash. You do not pay the insurer anything. The claim is made against their policy, not yours.
Who regulates the CTP scheme
The Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) is the Government body in Queensland that oversees the CTP scheme.
MAIC licenses insurers, sets premium bands, publishes claim forms and operates the online claims portal. MAIC also acts as the Nominal Defendant, handling claims where the at-fault vehicle was unidentified or uninsured.
Who Can Make a CTP Claim
CTP claims are available to anyone injured in a Queensland motor vehicle accident who was not solely at fault. According to MAIC, eligible claimants include:
- Drivers who were not at fault (or only partially at fault)
- Passengers in any vehicle involved in the crash
- Motorcyclists and pillion passengers
- Pedestrians struck by a vehicle
- Cyclists struck by a vehicle
- Dependants or relatives of someone fatally injured (funeral expenses and financial loss claims)
MAIC data from 2024-25 shows that 61.3% of claimants were drivers, with the largest age group being 26 to 35 year olds.
If you were partly at fault, you can still claim. Your compensation is reduced proportionally. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your payout is reduced by 20%. This is called contributory negligence.
If the at-fault driver cannot be identified (such as a hit-and-run) or the vehicle was unregistered, you lodge against the Nominal Defendant. The deadline for these claims is shorter: just 3 months.
Step-by-Step: How to Lodge Your CTP Claim
Step 1: Report the accident to the police
If you were a driver involved in an injury crash, call 000 at the scene.
If you were a passenger, pedestrian or cyclist, you can complete a Report of Traffic Incident to Police form at a police station afterwards.
Get the QP (Queensland Police) reference number. You will need this for the claim form.
Step 2: See a doctor and get a CTP medical certificate
See your doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Ask them to complete the CTP Medical Certificate, which is a specific form available from MAIC.
- Your doctor must physically examine you before completing the certificate
- The certificate includes your diagnosis, injury details, treatment plan, work capacity and prognosis
- Keep all receipts for medical treatment, medication and rehabilitation from day one as evidence for your claim
Step 3: Identify the at-fault vehicle's CTP insurer
You need the registration number of the vehicle that caused the crash. Use the MAIC CTP Insurer Search tool to look up which insurer covers that vehicle. Enter the accident date and registration number.
If you cannot identify the at-fault vehicle (hit-and-run) or if it was unregistered, your claim goes to the Nominal Defendant through the same NOAC process.
Step 4: Complete the Notice of Accident Claim (NOAC) form
The NOAC form is the official document that starts your CTP claim. There are two versions: non-fatal injury (available online or as a PDF) and fatal injury (PDF only).
You can complete the non-fatal form online through the Queensland’s CTP claim portal.
The form asks for:
- Your personal details
- Accident details and QP reference number
- At-fault vehicle registration and insurer details
- Description of your injuries
- Authorisation for the insurer to access your medical and other records
Provide as much detail as possible. Incomplete forms cause delays.
Step 5: Attach your supporting documents
Along with the NOAC, you need to submit:
- CTP Medical Certificate completed by your treating doctor
- Claimant Certificate (a self-completed form confirming you initiated the claim independently)
- Certified copy of government-issued photo ID (or a certified passport photo)
- Law Practice Certificate if you have a solicitor acting for you (your solicitor completes this)
You can also attach supporting evidence such as employer letters, treatment receipts and photographs of injuries or the accident scene.
Step 6: Lodge the claim
Submit your completed NOAC and supporting documents to the at-fault vehicle's CTP insurer:
- Online: Through Queensland’s CTP claim portal
- By email or post: Send the completed PDF forms directly to the insurer
The critical deadline: You must lodge within 9 months of the accident (or the first appearance of symptoms). If you have consulted a lawyer about making a claim, the deadline tightens to 1 month from that consultation, even if you are still within the 9-month window.
For Nominal Defendant claims (unidentified vehicles), the deadline is 3 months from the date of the accident.
What Happens After You Lodge
Once the insurer receives your NOAC, the process follows a set timeline under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld):
- Within 14 days: The insurer confirms whether your claim was lodged correctly. If something is missing, they must tell you what to fix and give you at least 1 month to do so. If the insurer does not respond within 14 days, your notice is automatically deemed valid under section 39 of the Act.
- Rehabilitation funding: The insurer advises whether they will fund reasonable rehabilitation, even before admitting liability. Get pre-approval before attending appointments so providers can bill the insurer directly.
- Information gathering: The insurer obtains your medical records, hospital documentation and employment records to assess the claim.
- Within 6 months: The insurer must make a written decision on liability: admitted in full, admitted in part, or denied.
- Injury stabilisation: Medical evidence typically requires 9 to 12 months before a definitive opinion on your diagnosis and prognosis.
- Independent Medical Examination (IME): Around 12 months post-accident, or when your injuries are stable, the insurer may arrange for you to see a doctor of their choosing.
- Compulsory conference: A mandatory pre-court settlement meeting where both parties negotiate. You must attend in person. Most claims settle at or before this stage.
Key Time Limits at a Glance
Documents You'll Need
- Notice of Accident Claim (NOAC) form - The official claim form. Available online through the CTP portal or as a downloadable PDF from MAIC.
- CTP Medical Certificate - Completed by your treating doctor after a physical examination. Covers diagnosis, injuries, treatment plan and work capacity.
- Claimant Certificate - A self-declaration confirming you initiated the claim independently (not through a third party).
- Certified photo ID - A certified copy of your driver's licence, passport or other government-issued photo identification.
- Law Practice Certificate - Only required if you have a solicitor. Your solicitor completes this.
- Police report reference number - The QP number from the attending or reporting police officer.
- Supporting evidence - Medical receipts, employer correspondence about time off work, photographs of injuries and the accident scene, and any witness contact details.
Common Scenarios and Questions
What if I were partly at fault for the accident?
If you were partly at fault, you can still claim. Your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. If you were 25% at fault, you receive 75% of the assessed compensation. A solicitor can help you dispute the fault allocation if you believe the insurer's assessment is unfair.
Can I lodge a CTP claim if the other driver was not insured or drove off?
Yes. Claims involving unidentified vehicles (hit-and-runs) or uninsured vehicles go to the Nominal Defendant. The Nominal Defendant is the Insurance Commissioner, administered by MAIC. The deadline is tighter: 3 months from the accident for unidentified vehicles.
What if I missed the 9-month deadline for the standard CTP claim?
You may still be able to lodge, but you must provide a reasonable excuse. The insurer or court decides whether the excuse is acceptable. However, for Nominal Defendant claims involving unidentified vehicles, the claim is completely barred after 9 months with no exceptions.
Do I need a lawyer to lodge a CTP claim?
You can lodge without one, but the numbers suggest you probably should not. MAIC data from 2024-25 shows that legally represented claimants receive, on average, approximately 8 times more than those who represent themselves. Represented claimants also receive 3.17 times more treatment and rehabilitation funding.
CTP insurers know that if you are unrepresented, you are unlikely to go to court. That means they can offer less with little risk.
With a solicitor, the claim can be taken further if needed. This puts pressure on the insurer to offer a fairer settlement.
Most claims settle out of court, but usually at higher amounts when a solicitor is involved.
- Unrepresented claimants are more likely to receive lower offers
- Legal representation increases settlement value
- No win no fee means you only pay if your claim succeeds
What about seriously injured at-fault drivers?
The National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ) provides no-fault cover for people who sustain eligible serious personal injuries in motor vehicle accidents, regardless of who was at fault.
This covers necessary treatment, care and support. More information is available from NIISQ.
The Red Flags to Watch Out For
Watch for these signs that a CTP insurer may not be acting in your best interests:
- Pressure to accept a quick settlement before your injuries have stabilised
- Offering a lump sum without explaining what it covers or what you may be entitled to
- Refusing or limiting rehabilitation funding, particularly if you are unrepresented
- Arranging multiple Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) with doctors who consistently produce assessments that seem to undermine the seriousness of your injuries
- Delaying responses or requesting excessive documentation beyond what is reasonable
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Settling before your injuries are fully assessed (most injuries need 9 to 12 months to stabilise)
- Posting about your activities on social media during the claim (insurers monitor public profiles)
- Assuming informal conversations with the insurer protect your legal rights (only a lodged NOAC does)
- Not keeping receipts and records for every medical appointment, expense and day off work
When to Get Legal Advice
For any CTP claim involving more than very minor injuries, getting legal advice early is strongly advisable.
The cost of not getting advice is almost always greater than the cost of getting it, particularly when solicitors who work on a no-win, no-fee basis charge nothing unless your claim succeeds.
Get legal advice as soon as possible if:
- You have been injured in a car accident and are unsure of your rights
- Your injuries are more than minor soft tissue (fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, psychological injuries)
- You have lost income or may not be able to return to your previous job
- The insurer denies liability or disputes your version of events
- You were partially at fault and the insurer's fault assessment seems too high
- The insurer offers a settlement and you are unsure whether the amount is fair
- Your claim involves an unidentified or uninsured vehicle
- You are approaching the 9-month lodgement deadline and have not yet lodged
Why early advice matters
A solicitor ensures your NOAC is lodged correctly and on time, handles all communication with the insurer, and protects you from common tactics used to minimise payouts.
Under section 37 of the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994, once you speak to a lawyer about a potential CTP claim, you have only 1 month to lodge your NOAC. This does not mean you should delay getting advice. It means your solicitor will manage the lodgement for you as a priority.
- Your NOAC is lodged correctly and within strict deadlines
- The insurer deals directly with your solicitor, not you
- You are protected from tactics that reduce payouts
- The 1 month deadline is handled for you
Key Takeaways
- Lodge your NOAC within 9 months of the accident (or 1 month after seeing a lawyer). Missing this deadline puts your claim at serious risk.
- See a doctor early and get the CTP Medical Certificate completed. Gaps in medical treatment make it harder to prove your injuries.
- You can claim as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist, provided you were not solely at fault.
- You do not need to pay anything up front to start a CTP claim. The insurer funds reasonable rehabilitation, and solicitors who operate on a no-win, no-fee basis do not charge unless your claim succeeds.
- Legal representation makes a measurable difference. MAIC data shows represented claimants receive on average 8 times whatunrepresented claimants do. Insurers negotiate differently when they know a solicitor can take the matter to court.
Get Help Now
Smith's Lawyers offer a free, no-obligation claims check. A member of the team will review your situation, explain your options and let you know whether you have a CTP claim worth pursuing.
Contact Smith's Lawyers today:
- No upfront costs: we operate on a No Win, No Fee, No Catch® basis, you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds, with no hidden deductions
- Call 1800 960 482 for a free, no-obligation consultation with Queensland CTP claim specialists
- Or request a call back: use the form below to have our team contact you at a time that suits you
