CTP Weekly Payments — Income Support After a Crash

If you cannot work because of injuries from a NSW motor accident, you may be eligible for weekly payments of statutory benefits — subject to medical certificates, proof of pre-accident earnings, waiting periods, and the insurer's assessment of capacity.

Weekly payments are not automatic because you feel unfit. They are calculated against scheme formulas and can be reduced if you have other income sources or fail to meet return-to-work obligations when medically cleared.

What the insurer needs to see

• Certificates of Fitness that clearly state capacity for work, hours, and restrictions.
• Employment history: stable job vs casual vs self-employed each needs different evidence.
• Payslips, tax returns, or business records — whatever matches your situation.
• Prompt responses when they ask for clarification; delays pause payments.

Lodgement timing matters

Under MAIA there are rules about claiming statutory benefits within certain periods from the accident. A commonly cited issue is that weekly payments may not be paid for periods before the claim was made if the claim was lodged more than 28 days after the accident, unless an exception applies.

Do not rely on this page for your exact dates — confirm with SIRA's guidance or a lawyer. If you are close to a deadline, notify the insurer and lodge what you can immediately.

How fault and injury classification change duration

If you were mostly at fault or classified with a minor injury, statutory entitlements (including income support) may run for shorter periods than for a not-at-fault person with a non-minor injury. The insurer should explain the classification and the benefit period in writing.

Disputes over amounts or cut-offs

If payments stop or the rate looks wrong, request the calculation in writing and consider internal review, PIC, or legal advice. On the medical side, updated certificates that accurately reflect capacity often unlock reconsideration.

How payments are calculated

Weekly payments are based on your pre-accident weekly earnings (PAWE). The insurer looks at what you were actually earning before the crash — not what you hoped to earn or what your contract says you could earn in theory. For employees, this usually comes from payslips and tax records for the period leading up to the accident.

The Act sets statutory percentages that apply at different stages of the claim. In the early weeks you may receive a higher percentage of your PAWE, which then steps down at defined milestones. There are also statutory caps — even high-income earners cannot receive more than the maximum weekly amount set by SIRA each year.

If you have other income sources — such as income protection insurance, Centrelink payments, or earnings from light duties — these may be offset against your weekly payments. The insurer should explain any offsets in writing.

Self-employed claimants face additional complexity. You need to demonstrate your actual earnings through tax returns, BAS statements, business accounts, or contracts. Inconsistent records make it harder for the insurer to calculate PAWE, which often leads to delays or disputes. If you are self-employed, organise your financial documents early.

Return-to-work obligations

Receiving weekly payments comes with obligations. If the insurer — based on medical evidence — determines you have capacity for suitable duties, they may require you to make reasonable efforts to return to work. This could mean going back to your pre-injury role with modifications, or taking on different duties within your capacity.

Refusing suitable work without a reasonable excuse can result in payments being reduced or suspended. If you genuinely cannot do what the insurer considers suitable, your treating doctor needs to explain why on the certificate — vague statements will not be enough.

Certificates that support modified duties are actually helpful here. A certificate saying 'can work four hours per day in a seated role with no lifting over 5 kg' gives both you and your employer something concrete to work with, and it shows the insurer that you are engaging with recovery rather than sitting at home waiting.

When payments change or stop

Weekly payment rates step down at statutory milestones defined in the Act. You may notice your payments decrease even though your injury has not changed — this is the legislated step-down, not a decision about your health. The insurer should notify you before each change.

For people classified with a minor injury, statutory benefits including weekly payments have a defined end point under MAIA. Once that period expires, payments stop regardless of whether you feel recovered. This is one reason the minor vs non-minor classification matters so much.

The insurer can also make a work capacity decision — a formal determination that you are able to return to work in some capacity. If you disagree with a work capacity decision, you have review and dispute options, but you need to act within the timeframes. Updated medical evidence that accurately describes your functional limitations is the most important thing your treating team can provide in these situations.