How to Make a CTP Claim in NSW — Practical Checklist

First: safety and records

If anyone is seriously hurt or there is immediate danger, call 000. For police attendance when it is not an emergency, the Police Assistance Line is 131 444.

If you can do so safely, note the other vehicle’s registration, insurer, and contact details, and ask witnesses for their details. Photos of the scene and damage can help later — but never put yourself at risk to collect them.

1. Find the right CTP insurer

You need to notify the CTP insurer for the accident. Which insurer that is depends on who was at fault and whether the vehicle is identified. Service NSW online services and CTP Assist (1300 656 919) help people find the correct insurer.

2. Notify the insurer early

Notify the insurer as soon as you can, even if you do not yet have every document. Early notification starts the file and can unlock early treatment pathways.

Under MAIA there are time limits for claiming statutory benefits. A common reference point is three months from the date of accident, but there are also rules about what happens if you lodge after 28 days (especially for weekly payments) and limited ways to lodge late. Do not rely on a website summary for your dates — confirm on SIRA or with a lawyer.

3. See a doctor who understands motor accident claims

Your medical record starts here: diagnosis, clinical findings, and a proper plan. For CTP, the Certificate of Fitness is the main form insurers use to understand capacity and treatment.

At CTP Doctor we structure assessments and certificates so they match what insurers expect, and we coordinate physio, psychology, and exercise physiology when you need a team, not a single ten-minute consult.

4. Lodge the Application for Personal Injury Benefits when required

Beyond a limited amount of early treatment (the dollar limit and rules are set by law and updated from time to time), you usually need to lodge the formal Application for Personal Injury Benefits with supporting information. Download the current form and instructions from SIRA — do not use an outdated PDF from a random site.

• Keep copies of everything you send the insurer.
• Use the claim number they give you on all correspondence.
• If you are unsure what to tick or attach, CTP Assist is independent of insurers; lawyers can advise on legal questions.

5. Stay on top of certificates and reports

Treatment approvals and income support usually depend on up-to-date Certificates of Fitness and, where needed, treating reports. Letting certificates lapse or sending vague one-line notes is a common reason claims stall.