National Injury Insurance Scheme (Queensland) Act 2016
In ForceQLD
Jurisdiction
Queensland
Act Number
34 of 2016
Collection
act
Plain English Summary
7/10 complexity
Establishes a Queensland National Injury Insurance Scheme and a statutory agency to assess and pay for necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support for people with serious motor‑accident injuries regardless of fault. It sets eligibility rules, application and assessment processes, service‑level decisions and payment routes, and funds the scheme through a dedicated fund, levies and insurer contributions.
The Act establishes a no-fault, state-administered scheme (the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland) that funds necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support for persons who suffer particular serious personal injuries as a result of motor accidents in Queensland (s 3). The scheme is administered by the National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland (the agency) and financed through a dedicated fund (the national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland) made up of levy receipts, recoveries, investment income and certain Treasurer-decided transfers (ss 3, 55, 93). The Act sets out who is eligible to participate (s 12), how to apply (chs 2 pt 2), how the agency assesses needs and prepares support plans (ss 25-27), how payments can be made (three mechanisms: funding agreements, payment requests, and contribution to insurer liability) (s 33 and divisions thereafter), and how participation is reviewed and ended (ss 45-48, 14).
Mechanically, the Act:
defines the scope of covered incidents: a “prescribed vehicle” and motor accidents occurring in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016, subject to exclusions (s 4; s 7) and particularity about uninsured and certain machinery/vehicles (s 4(2)-(3));
creates eligibility rules and a regulated “eligibility criteria” (s 12) and permits a regulated buy-in regime where the agency may accept persons who would otherwise be ineligible in prescribed circumstances, for a contribution (s 13);
requires the agency to assess treatment, care and support needs, consult participants and author a support plan stating necessary and reasonable services and other services the agency considers should be funded (ss 25-26);
supplies three payment routes: funding agreements for forward periods (s 34), payment requests for incurred expenses (ss 35-39), and a contribution liability where a lifetime participant seeks to preserve rights to damages (ss 40-44);
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in National Injury Insurance Scheme (Queensland) Act 2016.
188
ch.1-pt.1
Introduction
Introduction
sec.1
Short title
sec.1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Injury Insurance Scheme (Queensland) Act 2016 .
sec.2
Commencement
sec.2 Commencement
The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation—
chapter 4 , part 2 ;
chapter 10 , part 1 and part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 3 .
The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 July 2016.
(sec.2-ssec.1) The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation— chapter 4 , part 2 ; chapter 10 , part 1 and part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 3 .
(sec.2-ssec.2) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 July 2016.
(a) chapter 4 , part 2 ;
(b) chapter 10 , part 1 and part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 3 .
ch.1-pt.2
Purpose and application
Purpose and application
sec.3
Purpose of Act and achieving purpose
sec.3 Purpose of Act and achieving purpose
The purpose of this Act is to ensure that persons who suffer particular serious personal injuries as a result of a motor accident in Queensland receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support, regardless of fault.
The purpose is achieved by establishing—
a national injury insurance scheme, Queensland for—
assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and
making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
a National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland to administer the scheme; and
a national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland.
(sec.3-ssec.1) The purpose of this Act is to ensure that persons who suffer particular serious personal injuries as a result of a motor accident in Queensland receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support, regardless of fault.
(sec.3-ssec.2) The purpose is achieved by establishing— a national injury insurance scheme, Queensland for— assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and a National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland to administer the scheme; and a national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland.
(a) a national injury insurance scheme, Queensland for— (i) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and (ii) making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
(i) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and
(ii) making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
(b) a National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland to administer the scheme; and
(c) a national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland.
(i) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and
(ii) making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
sec.4
Application of Act
sec.4 Application of Act
This Act applies in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with a prescribed vehicle, if—
the injury is a result of—
the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or
a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or
the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or
a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
the incident (the motor accident ) resulting in the injury happens in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016.
However, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with an uninsured motor vehicle, other than a prescribed vehicle stated in subsection (3) (a) , unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road or public place.
Also, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with—
any of the following prescribed vehicles unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road—
a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery;
an agricultural machine;
a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks;
an amphibious vehicle;
a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
a prescribed vehicle that, at the particular time of the motor accident resulting in the injury, is being used for the actual doing of an act or making of a threat that is an act of terrorism.
In this section—
act of terrorism see the Insurance Act , section 4B .
agricultural machine means a machine with its own automotive power that is—
built to perform agricultural tasks; and
being used for agricultural purposes.
tractors and harvesters being used for agricultural purposes
mobile machinery see the Insurance Act , section 4 .
public place see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 .
road see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 .
uninsured motor vehicle means a prescribed vehicle—
for which a CTP insurance policy is not in force; and
of which a self-insurer is not the registered owner; and
that is not a trailer.
(sec.4-ssec.1) This Act applies in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with a prescribed vehicle, if— the injury is a result of— the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and the incident (the motor accident ) resulting in the injury happens in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016.
(sec.4-ssec.2) However, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with an uninsured motor vehicle, other than a prescribed vehicle stated in subsection (3) (a) , unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road or public place.
(sec.4-ssec.3) Also, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with— any of the following prescribed vehicles unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road— a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery; an agricultural machine; a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks; an amphibious vehicle; a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or a prescribed vehicle that, at the particular time of the motor accident resulting in the injury, is being used for the actual doing of an act or making of a threat that is an act of terrorism.
(sec.4-ssec.4) In this section— act of terrorism see the Insurance Act , section 4B . agricultural machine means a machine with its own automotive power that is— built to perform agricultural tasks; and being used for agricultural purposes. tractors and harvesters being used for agricultural purposes mobile machinery see the Insurance Act , section 4 . public place see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 . road see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 . uninsured motor vehicle means a prescribed vehicle— for which a CTP insurance policy is not in force; and of which a self-insurer is not the registered owner; and that is not a trailer.
(a) the injury is a result of— (i) the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or (ii) a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or (iii) the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or (iv) a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
(i) the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or
(ii) a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or
(iii) the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or
(iv) a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
(b) the incident (the motor accident ) resulting in the injury happens in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016.
(i) the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or
(ii) a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or
(iii) the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or
(iv) a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
(a) any of the following prescribed vehicles unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road— (i) a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery; (ii) an agricultural machine; (iii) a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks; (iv) an amphibious vehicle; (v) a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
(i) a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery;
(ii) an agricultural machine;
(iii) a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks;
(iv) an amphibious vehicle;
(v) a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
(b) a prescribed vehicle that, at the particular time of the motor accident resulting in the injury, is being used for the actual doing of an act or making of a threat that is an act of terrorism.
(i) a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery;
(ii) an agricultural machine;
(iii) a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks;
(iv) an amphibious vehicle;
(v) a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
(a) built to perform agricultural tasks; and
(b) being used for agricultural purposes.
(a) for which a CTP insurance policy is not in force; and
(b) of which a self-insurer is not the registered owner; and
(c) that is not a trailer.
sec.5
Act binds all persons
sec.5 Act binds all persons
This Act binds all persons, including the State, and, to the extent the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.
However, the State, the Commonwealth or another State can not be prosecuted for an offence against this Act.
(sec.5-ssec.1) This Act binds all persons, including the State, and, to the extent the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.
(sec.5-ssec.2) However, the State, the Commonwealth or another State can not be prosecuted for an offence against this Act.
ch.1-pt.3
Interpretation
Interpretation
sec.6
Definitions
sec.6 Definitions
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.
sec.7
Meaning of prescribed vehicle
sec.7 Meaning of prescribed vehicle
A prescribed vehicle is—
a motor vehicle or a trailer for which a CTP insurance policy is in force; or
a trailer to which a CTP insurance policy extends; or
a motor vehicle of which a self-insurer is the registered owner; or
a trailer for which a self-insurer would be the insurer under the Insurance Act or a corresponding law if the trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury; or
a motor vehicle or a trailer to which a nominal defendant scheme would apply if the motor vehicle or trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury.
(a) a motor vehicle or a trailer for which a CTP insurance policy is in force; or
(b) a trailer to which a CTP insurance policy extends; or
(c) a motor vehicle of which a self-insurer is the registered owner; or
(d) a trailer for which a self-insurer would be the insurer under the Insurance Act or a corresponding law if the trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury; or
(e) a motor vehicle or a trailer to which a nominal defendant scheme would apply if the motor vehicle or trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury.
sec.8
Meaning of treatment, care and support needs
sec.8 Meaning of treatment, care and support needs
The treatment, care and support needs of a person are the person’s needs for, or relating to, 1 or more of the following—
medical or pharmaceutical treatment;
dental treatment;
rehabilitation;
ambulance transportation;
respite care;
attendant care and support services;
aids and appliances, other than ordinary personal or household items;
an air conditioner, a laptop, linen, a mobile phone, a personal computer or a washing machine
prosthesis;
education or vocational training;
home or transport modification.
(a) medical or pharmaceutical treatment;
(b) dental treatment;
(c) rehabilitation;
(d) ambulance transportation;
(e) respite care;
(f) attendant care and support services;
(g) aids and appliances, other than ordinary personal or household items; Examples of ordinary personal or household items— an air conditioner, a laptop, linen, a mobile phone, a personal computer or a washing machine
(h) prosthesis;
(i) education or vocational training;
(j) home or transport modification.
sec.9
Meaning of excluded treatment, care and support
sec.9 Meaning of excluded treatment, care and support
Excluded treatment, care and support is treatment, care and support that—
is provided without charge; or
if the participant is a child—ordinarily falls within the ordinary costs of raising a child; or
must be provided by a registered provider but is provided by a person who, at the time of provision, is not a registered provider; or
is provided as part of a medical trial or on another experimental basis; or
is provided as part of a public sector health service, as defined in the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 , schedule 2 ; or
is provided by State emergency services, including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service Queensland; or
is prescribed by regulation.
For subsection (1) (c) , the following treatment, care and support must be provided by a registered provider—
attendant care and support services that are personal assistance services or services to assist a person to participate in the community;
any other treatment, care or support prescribed by regulation.
However, subsection (2) (a) does not apply if the treatment, care and support is being provided to a person at a hospital (whether as an inpatient or an outpatient) as part of the services provided by the hospital.
s 9 amd 2024 No. 22 s 92 sch 1
(sec.9-ssec.1) Excluded treatment, care and support is treatment, care and support that— is provided without charge; or if the participant is a child—ordinarily falls within the ordinary costs of raising a child; or must be provided by a registered provider but is provided by a person who, at the time of provision, is not a registered provider; or is provided as part of a medical trial or on another experimental basis; or is provided as part of a public sector health service, as defined in the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 , schedule 2 ; or is provided by State emergency services, including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service Queensland; or is prescribed by regulation.
(sec.9-ssec.2) For subsection (1) (c) , the following treatment, care and support must be provided by a registered provider— attendant care and support services that are personal assistance services or services to assist a person to participate in the community; any other treatment, care or support prescribed by regulation.
(sec.9-ssec.3) However, subsection (2) (a) does not apply if the treatment, care and support is being provided to a person at a hospital (whether as an inpatient or an outpatient) as part of the services provided by the hospital.
(a) is provided without charge; or
(b) if the participant is a child—ordinarily falls within the ordinary costs of raising a child; or
(c) must be provided by a registered provider but is provided by a person who, at the time of provision, is not a registered provider; or
(d) is provided as part of a medical trial or on another experimental basis; or
(e) is provided as part of a public sector health service, as defined in the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 , schedule 2 ; or
(f) is provided by State emergency services, including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service Queensland; or
(g) is prescribed by regulation.
(a) attendant care and support services that are personal assistance services or services to assist a person to participate in the community;
(b) any other treatment, care or support prescribed by regulation.
sec.10
When a claim is finalised
sec.10 When a claim is finalised
For this Act, a claim against an insurer is finalised if—
the claim has been settled by agreement and, if the agreement must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee, the sanction has been given; or
final judgment has been given by a court on an action for damages in relation to the claim and, if an award of damages under the final judgment must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee, the sanction has been given.
(a) the claim has been settled by agreement and, if the agreement must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee, the sanction has been given; or
(b) final judgment has been given by a court on an action for damages in relation to the claim and, if an award of damages under the final judgment must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee, the sanction has been given.
sec.11
References in Act to particular terms
sec.11 References in Act to particular terms
In a provision of this Act about an application, a reference to—
the applicant is a reference to the person who made the application; and
the injured person is a reference to the injured person the subject of the application; and
the serious personal injury is a reference to the serious personal injury the subject of the application.
In a provision of this Act about a participant in the scheme, a reference to—
the participant’s injury is a reference to the serious personal injury in relation to which the participant is accepted into the scheme; and
the motor accident is a reference to the motor accident that resulted in the participant’s injury.
In a provision of this Act about a service request or a payment request, a reference to the participant is a reference to the participant the subject of the request.
In a provision of this Act about the giving of a notice or other document to or by a participant or an injured person, a reference to the participant or injured person includes a reference to—
if the participant or injured person is a child—the child’s parent or guardian; or
otherwise—a person acting for the participant or injured person.
In a provision of this Act about the giving of a notice or other document to or by an insurer against whom a claim has been made, a reference to the insurer is a reference to the claim manager under the Insurance Act , section 38 , if 2 or more insurers may be liable on the claim.
(sec.11-ssec.1) In a provision of this Act about an application, a reference to— the applicant is a reference to the person who made the application; and the injured person is a reference to the injured person the subject of the application; and the serious personal injury is a reference to the serious personal injury the subject of the application.
(sec.11-ssec.2) In a provision of this Act about a participant in the scheme, a reference to— the participant’s injury is a reference to the serious personal injury in relation to which the participant is accepted into the scheme; and the motor accident is a reference to the motor accident that resulted in the participant’s injury.
(sec.11-ssec.3) In a provision of this Act about a service request or a payment request, a reference to the participant is a reference to the participant the subject of the request.
(sec.11-ssec.4) In a provision of this Act about the giving of a notice or other document to or by a participant or an injured person, a reference to the participant or injured person includes a reference to— if the participant or injured person is a child—the child’s parent or guardian; or otherwise—a person acting for the participant or injured person.
(sec.11-ssec.5) In a provision of this Act about the giving of a notice or other document to or by an insurer against whom a claim has been made, a reference to the insurer is a reference to the claim manager under the Insurance Act , section 38 , if 2 or more insurers may be liable on the claim.
(a) the applicant is a reference to the person who made the application; and
(b) the injured person is a reference to the injured person the subject of the application; and
(c) the serious personal injury is a reference to the serious personal injury the subject of the application.
(a) the participant’s injury is a reference to the serious personal injury in relation to which the participant is accepted into the scheme; and
(b) the motor accident is a reference to the motor accident that resulted in the participant’s injury.
(a) if the participant or injured person is a child—the child’s parent or guardian; or
(b) otherwise—a person acting for the participant or injured person.
ch.2-pt.1
Preliminary
Preliminary
sec.12
Persons eligible to participate in scheme
sec.12 Persons eligible to participate in scheme
A person is eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury suffered by the person if—
this Act applies in relation to the injury; and
the injury meets the criteria (the eligibility criteria ) for the injury prescribed by regulation.
However, a person is not eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury if—
the person has been awarded damages, under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement, in relation to the person’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the injury; and
the damages were paid other than by way of a payment by the agency under section 44 (3) (a) .
Also, a person is not eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury if—
before the motor accident resulting in the serious personal injury, the person suffered from another injury or condition; and
the serious personal injury does not permanently increase the extent of any disability experienced by the person before the motor accident.
(sec.12-ssec.1) A person is eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury suffered by the person if— this Act applies in relation to the injury; and the injury meets the criteria (the eligibility criteria ) for the injury prescribed by regulation.
(sec.12-ssec.2) However, a person is not eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury if— the person has been awarded damages, under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement, in relation to the person’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the injury; and the damages were paid other than by way of a payment by the agency under section 44 (3) (a) .
(sec.12-ssec.3) Also, a person is not eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury if— before the motor accident resulting in the serious personal injury, the person suffered from another injury or condition; and the serious personal injury does not permanently increase the extent of any disability experienced by the person before the motor accident.
(a) this Act applies in relation to the injury; and
(b) the injury meets the criteria (the eligibility criteria ) for the injury prescribed by regulation.
(a) the person has been awarded damages, under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement, in relation to the person’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the injury; and
(b) the damages were paid other than by way of a payment by the agency under section 44 (3) (a) .
(a) before the motor accident resulting in the serious personal injury, the person suffered from another injury or condition; and
(b) the serious personal injury does not permanently increase the extent of any disability experienced by the person before the motor accident.
sec.13
Persons may buy into scheme in particular circumstances
sec.13 Persons may buy into scheme in particular circumstances
This section applies to a person who—
suffers a serious personal injury prescribed by regulation; and
is not eligible under section 12 to participate in the scheme in relation to the injury.
The agency may decide to accept the person as a participant in the scheme in relation to the injury for a period agreed between the person and the agency.
If the person is accepted as a participant under subsection (2) , the person must pay to the agency a contribution, calculated in the way prescribed by regulation, towards the person’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the injury.
If the contribution is not paid within 28 days after the person is accepted as a participant, the person—
stops being a participant; and
is taken to have never been a participant.
The following provisions do not apply to the person—
part 4 , division 4 ;
part 5 ;
section 52 .
A regulation may make provision about accepting persons as participants in the scheme under this section, including by prescribing any of the following matters—
the circumstances in which an application (a buy-in application ) may be made to the agency for approval to participate in the scheme under this section;
the requirements for making a buy-in application;
the matters the agency must consider in deciding a buy-in application;
the period for deciding a buy-in application;
when and how the agency must give notice of a decision on a buy-in application, including whether the notice must be an information notice;
how a contribution must be dealt with if the person stops being a participant.
(sec.13-ssec.1) This section applies to a person who— suffers a serious personal injury prescribed by regulation; and is not eligible under section 12 to participate in the scheme in relation to the injury.
(sec.13-ssec.2) The agency may decide to accept the person as a participant in the scheme in relation to the injury for a period agreed between the person and the agency.
(sec.13-ssec.3) If the person is accepted as a participant under subsection (2) , the person must pay to the agency a contribution, calculated in the way prescribed by regulation, towards the person’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the injury.
(sec.13-ssec.4) If the contribution is not paid within 28 days after the person is accepted as a participant, the person— stops being a participant; and is taken to have never been a participant.
(sec.13-ssec.5) The following provisions do not apply to the person— part 4 , division 4 ; part 5 ; section 52 .
(sec.13-ssec.6) A regulation may make provision about accepting persons as participants in the scheme under this section, including by prescribing any of the following matters— the circumstances in which an application (a buy-in application ) may be made to the agency for approval to participate in the scheme under this section; the requirements for making a buy-in application; the matters the agency must consider in deciding a buy-in application; the period for deciding a buy-in application; when and how the agency must give notice of a decision on a buy-in application, including whether the notice must be an information notice; how a contribution must be dealt with if the person stops being a participant.
(a) suffers a serious personal injury prescribed by regulation; and
(b) is not eligible under section 12 to participate in the scheme in relation to the injury.
(a) stops being a participant; and
(b) is taken to have never been a participant.
(a) part 4 , division 4 ;
(b) part 5 ;
(c) section 52 .
(a) the circumstances in which an application (a buy-in application ) may be made to the agency for approval to participate in the scheme under this section;
(b) the requirements for making a buy-in application;
(c) the matters the agency must consider in deciding a buy-in application;
(d) the period for deciding a buy-in application;
(e) when and how the agency must give notice of a decision on a buy-in application, including whether the notice must be an information notice;
(f) how a contribution must be dealt with if the person stops being a participant.
sec.14
Participants in scheme
sec.14 Participants in scheme
A person is a participant in the scheme if the agency accepts the person as a participant in the scheme under—
section 13 ; or
section 22 .
A participant is a lifetime participant if the agency accepts the person as a participant for the rest of the person’s life under—
section 22 (3) ; or
section 46 (4) .
A participant is an interim participant if the agency accepts the person, under section 22 (1) (a) , as a participant in the scheme for the participation period.
A participant is a buy-in participant if the agency accepts the person, under section 13 , as a participant in the scheme.
A person’s participation in the scheme starts the day the person is accepted into the scheme.
A person’s participation in the scheme ends—
if the person dies; or
if the person stops being a participant under this chapter; or
for a buy-in participant—at the end of the period mentioned in section 13 (2) ; or
in the circumstances prescribed by regulation.
(sec.14-ssec.1) A person is a participant in the scheme if the agency accepts the person as a participant in the scheme under— section 13 ; or section 22 .
(sec.14-ssec.2) A participant is a lifetime participant if the agency accepts the person as a participant for the rest of the person’s life under— section 22 (3) ; or section 46 (4) .
(sec.14-ssec.3) A participant is an interim participant if the agency accepts the person, under section 22 (1) (a) , as a participant in the scheme for the participation period.
(sec.14-ssec.4) A participant is a buy-in participant if the agency accepts the person, under section 13 , as a participant in the scheme.
(sec.14-ssec.5) A person’s participation in the scheme starts the day the person is accepted into the scheme.
(sec.14-ssec.6) A person’s participation in the scheme ends— if the person dies; or if the person stops being a participant under this chapter; or for a buy-in participant—at the end of the period mentioned in section 13 (2) ; or in the circumstances prescribed by regulation.
(a) section 13 ; or
(b) section 22 .
(a) section 22 (3) ; or
(b) section 46 (4) .
(a) if the person dies; or
(b) if the person stops being a participant under this chapter; or
(c) for a buy-in participant—at the end of the period mentioned in section 13 (2) ; or
(d) in the circumstances prescribed by regulation.
sec.15
Necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support needs
sec.15 Necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support needs
For this chapter, the agency must consider the following matters in deciding whether a person’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of a serious personal injury are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances—
whether the treatment, care and support needs are excluded treatment, care and support;
any other matter prescribed by regulation.
(a) whether the treatment, care and support needs are excluded treatment, care and support;
(b) any other matter prescribed by regulation.
ch.2-pt.2
Application to participate in scheme
Application to participate in scheme
ch.2-pt.2-div.1
Making application
Making application
sec.16
Application for approval
sec.16 Application for approval
A person may apply to the agency for approval to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury suffered by the person as a result of a motor accident.
If the application is made within 1 year after the motor accident happened (the application period ), the agency must accept the application.
If the application is made after the application period, the agency must decide whether or not to accept the application.
In making a decision under subsection (3) , the agency must consider whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to accept the application, having regard to—
whether the person is likely to be eligible to participate in the scheme; and
whether a claim has been made, or can be made, for the serious personal injury; and
the nature and severity of the person’s injury.
If the agency decides not to accept an application, the agency must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.
(sec.16-ssec.1) A person may apply to the agency for approval to participate in the scheme in relation to a serious personal injury suffered by the person as a result of a motor accident.
(sec.16-ssec.2) If the application is made within 1 year after the motor accident happened (the application period ), the agency must accept the application.
(sec.16-ssec.3) If the application is made after the application period, the agency must decide whether or not to accept the application.
(sec.16-ssec.4) In making a decision under subsection (3) , the agency must consider whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to accept the application, having regard to— whether the person is likely to be eligible to participate in the scheme; and whether a claim has been made, or can be made, for the serious personal injury; and the nature and severity of the person’s injury.
(sec.16-ssec.5) If the agency decides not to accept an application, the agency must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.
(a) whether the person is likely to be eligible to participate in the scheme; and
(b) whether a claim has been made, or can be made, for the serious personal injury; and
(c) the nature and severity of the person’s injury.
sec.17
When application may not be made
sec.17 When application may not be made
An application may not be made in relation to an injured person’s serious personal injury if—
another person has made an application in relation to the injury and the application has not been decided; or
the injured person is an interim participant in relation to the injury.
Subsection (3) applies if—
an application has been made in relation to an injured person’s serious personal injury and the application has been refused; or
an injured person was an interim participant in relation to a serious personal injury and the injured person’s participation in the scheme has ended.
A person may not make an application in relation to the serious personal injury unless—
the person gives the agency medical information, not previously considered by the agency, about the injured person’s injury or condition; or
the person gives the agency medical information showing that the injured person’s condition as a result of the injury has deteriorated since the earlier application was made or the injured person’s participation ended.
If an injured person, or a person acting for an injured person, has received a payment under section 44 (3) (a) in relation to the injured person’s serious personal injury—
an application in relation to the injury—
may be made only in the circumstances prescribed by regulation; and
may not be made for a period, of at least 5 years after the payment is received, prescribed by regulation; and
section 16 (2) and (3) do not apply to the making of the application.
(sec.17-ssec.1) An application may not be made in relation to an injured person’s serious personal injury if— another person has made an application in relation to the injury and the application has not been decided; or the injured person is an interim participant in relation to the injury.
(sec.17-ssec.2) Subsection (3) applies if— an application has been made in relation to an injured person’s serious personal injury and the application has been refused; or an injured person was an interim participant in relation to a serious personal injury and the injured person’s participation in the scheme has ended.
(sec.17-ssec.3) A person may not make an application in relation to the serious personal injury unless— the person gives the agency medical information, not previously considered by the agency, about the injured person’s injury or condition; or the person gives the agency medical information showing that the injured person’s condition as a result of the injury has deteriorated since the earlier application was made or the injured person’s participation ended.
(sec.17-ssec.4) If an injured person, or a person acting for an injured person, has received a payment under section 44 (3) (a) in relation to the injured person’s serious personal injury— an application in relation to the injury— may be made only in the circumstances prescribed by regulation; and may not be made for a period, of at least 5 years after the payment is received, prescribed by regulation; and section 16 (2) and (3) do not apply to the making of the application.
(a) another person has made an application in relation to the injury and the application has not been decided; or
(b) the injured person is an interim participant in relation to the injury.
(a) an application has been made in relation to an injured person’s serious personal injury and the application has been refused; or
(b) an injured person was an interim participant in relation to a serious personal injury and the injured person’s participation in the scheme has ended.
(a) the person gives the agency medical information, not previously considered by the agency, about the injured person’s injury or condition; or
(b) the person gives the agency medical information showing that the injured person’s condition as a result of the injury has deteriorated since the earlier application was made or the injured person’s participation ended.
(a) an application in relation to the injury— (i) may be made only in the circumstances prescribed by regulation; and (ii) may not be made for a period, of at least 5 years after the payment is received, prescribed by regulation; and
(i) may be made only in the circumstances prescribed by regulation; and
(ii) may not be made for a period, of at least 5 years after the payment is received, prescribed by regulation; and
(b) section 16 (2) and (3) do not apply to the making of the application.
(i) may be made only in the circumstances prescribed by regulation; and
(ii) may not be made for a period, of at least 5 years after the payment is received, prescribed by regulation; and
sec.18
When person other than injured person may make application
sec.18 When person other than injured person may make application
An application may be made for an injured person—
by an insurer against whom a claim has been made, if the claim—
relates to the injured person’s serious personal injury; and
has not been finalised; or
if the injured person is a child—by the child’s parent or guardian; or
by another person who is acting for the injured person.
If an insurer makes an application for an injured person, the insurer must give the person a copy of the application.
(sec.18-ssec.1) An application may be made for an injured person— by an insurer against whom a claim has been made, if the claim— relates to the injured person’s serious personal injury; and has not been finalised; or if the injured person is a child—by the child’s parent or guardian; or by another person who is acting for the injured person.
(sec.18-ssec.2) If an insurer makes an application for an injured person, the insurer must give the person a copy of the application.
(a) by an insurer against whom a claim has been made, if the claim— (i) relates to the injured person’s serious personal injury; and (ii) has not been finalised; or
(i) relates to the injured person’s serious personal injury; and
(ii) has not been finalised; or
(b) if the injured person is a child—by the child’s parent or guardian; or
(c) by another person who is acting for the injured person.
(i) relates to the injured person’s serious personal injury; and
(ii) has not been finalised; or
sec.19
Requirements for application
sec.19 Requirements for application
An application must—
be in the approved form; and
include or be accompanied by the information prescribed by regulation.
Subsections (3) and (4) apply if an application is made by a person other than an insurer.
The application must state that the applicant permits the agency to exchange information about the injured person with an entity prescribed by regulation for the purpose of the agency performing its functions under this Act, including, in particular—
deciding whether or not the person is eligible to participate in the scheme; and
if it is decided that the person is eligible to participate in the scheme—
deciding whether the person is to be a lifetime participant or an interim participant; and
assessing the treatment, care and support needed by the person; and
reviewing the person’s participation in the scheme.
If the injured person, or a person acting for the injured person, has made, or intends to make, a claim against an insurer for the serious personal injury, the application must also state—
that the person has made, or intends to make, the claim; and
if the claim has been made—
the day the claim was made; and
the status of the claim; and
the insurer against whom the claim was, or is intended to be, made.
(sec.19-ssec.1) An application must— be in the approved form; and include or be accompanied by the information prescribed by regulation.
(sec.19-ssec.2) Subsections (3) and (4) apply if an application is made by a person other than an insurer.
(sec.19-ssec.3) The application must state that the applicant permits the agency to exchange information about the injured person with an entity prescribed by regulation for the purpose of the agency performing its functions under this Act, including, in particular— deciding whether or not the person is eligible to participate in the scheme; and if it is decided that the person is eligible to participate in the scheme— deciding whether the person is to be a lifetime participant or an interim participant; and assessing the treatment, care and support needed by the person; and reviewing the person’s participation in the scheme.
(sec.19-ssec.4) If the injured person, or a person acting for the injured person, has made, or intends to make, a claim against an insurer for the serious personal injury, the application must also state— that the person has made, or intends to make, the claim; and if the claim has been made— the day the claim was made; and the status of the claim; and the insurer against whom the claim was, or is intended to be, made.
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) include or be accompanied by the information prescribed by regulation.
(a) deciding whether or not the person is eligible to participate in the scheme; and
(b) if it is decided that the person is eligible to participate in the scheme— (i) deciding whether the person is to be a lifetime participant or an interim participant; and (ii) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by the person; and (iii) reviewing the person’s participation in the scheme.
(i) deciding whether the person is to be a lifetime participant or an interim participant; and
(ii) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by the person; and
(iii) reviewing the person’s participation in the scheme.
(i) deciding whether the person is to be a lifetime participant or an interim participant; and
(ii) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by the person; and
(iii) reviewing the person’s participation in the scheme.
(a) that the person has made, or intends to make, the claim; and
(b) if the claim has been made— (i) the day the claim was made; and (ii) the status of the claim; and
(i) the day the claim was made; and
(ii) the status of the claim; and
(c) the insurer against whom the claim was, or is intended to be, made.
(i) the day the claim was made; and
(ii) the status of the claim; and
sec.20
Notifying insurer about application
sec.20 Notifying insurer about application
This section applies if an application—
is made by a person other than an insurer; and
states that—
a claim has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury; and
the claim has not been finalised.
The agency must give notice of the application to the insurer.
The notice must—
state the name of the injured person; and
state the day the application was made; and
include a brief description of the serious personal injury; and
state the day the motor accident resulting in the injury happened.
(sec.20-ssec.1) This section applies if an application— is made by a person other than an insurer; and states that— a claim has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury; and the claim has not been finalised.
(sec.20-ssec.2) The agency must give notice of the application to the insurer.
(sec.20-ssec.3) The notice must— state the name of the injured person; and state the day the application was made; and include a brief description of the serious personal injury; and state the day the motor accident resulting in the injury happened.
(a) is made by a person other than an insurer; and
(b) states that— (i) a claim has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury; and (ii) the claim has not been finalised.
(i) a claim has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury; and
(ii) the claim has not been finalised.
(i) a claim has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury; and
(ii) the claim has not been finalised.
(a) state the name of the injured person; and
(b) state the day the application was made; and
(c) include a brief description of the serious personal injury; and
(d) state the day the motor accident resulting in the injury happened.
sec.21
Information request
sec.21 Information request
The agency may, by notice (an information request ), ask any of the following persons to give further information needed to decide an application—
the applicant;
if the applicant is not the injured person—the injured person.
The information request must be made within 28 days after the application is received.
(sec.21-ssec.1) The agency may, by notice (an information request ), ask any of the following persons to give further information needed to decide an application— the applicant; if the applicant is not the injured person—the injured person.
(sec.21-ssec.2) The information request must be made within 28 days after the application is received.
(a) the applicant;
(b) if the applicant is not the injured person—the injured person.
ch.2-pt.2-div.2
Deciding application
Deciding application
sec.22
Deciding application
sec.22 Deciding application
After receiving an application, the agency must—
if the injured person is eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to the serious personal injury—accept the person as a participant in the scheme in relation to the injury for the participation period; or
otherwise—refuse the application.
Subsection (3) applies if the agency is satisfied that the serious personal injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
The agency may, instead of accepting the injured person as a participant for the participation period, accept the injured person as a participant in the scheme for the rest of the person’s life.
Subsections (5) and (6) apply if—
the injured person, or a person acting for the injured person, has received a payment from the agency under section 44 (3) (a) in relation to the serious personal injury; and
the agency is not satisfied that the injured person is suffering severe financial hardship.
Despite subsection (1) (a) , the agency may refuse the application.
If the agency decides to accept the injured person as a participant in the scheme, the acceptance may be subject to conditions.
A decision under this section must be made within the decision-making period.
However, the agency may, by notice given to the applicant and without the applicant’s agreement, extend the decision-making period by not more than 28 days.
A notice given under subsection (8) must state the reason for the extension.
(sec.22-ssec.1) After receiving an application, the agency must— if the injured person is eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to the serious personal injury—accept the person as a participant in the scheme in relation to the injury for the participation period; or otherwise—refuse the application.
(sec.22-ssec.2) Subsection (3) applies if the agency is satisfied that the serious personal injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
(sec.22-ssec.3) The agency may, instead of accepting the injured person as a participant for the participation period, accept the injured person as a participant in the scheme for the rest of the person’s life.
(sec.22-ssec.4) Subsections (5) and (6) apply if— the injured person, or a person acting for the injured person, has received a payment from the agency under section 44 (3) (a) in relation to the serious personal injury; and the agency is not satisfied that the injured person is suffering severe financial hardship.
(sec.22-ssec.5) Despite subsection (1) (a) , the agency may refuse the application.
(sec.22-ssec.6) If the agency decides to accept the injured person as a participant in the scheme, the acceptance may be subject to conditions.
(sec.22-ssec.7) A decision under this section must be made within the decision-making period.
(sec.22-ssec.8) However, the agency may, by notice given to the applicant and without the applicant’s agreement, extend the decision-making period by not more than 28 days.
(sec.22-ssec.9) A notice given under subsection (8) must state the reason for the extension.
(a) if the injured person is eligible to participate in the scheme in relation to the serious personal injury—accept the person as a participant in the scheme in relation to the injury for the participation period; or
(b) otherwise—refuse the application.
(a) the injured person, or a person acting for the injured person, has received a payment from the agency under section 44 (3) (a) in relation to the serious personal injury; and
(b) the agency is not satisfied that the injured person is suffering severe financial hardship.
sec.23
Notice of decision
sec.23 Notice of decision
The agency must give notice of a decision on an application to—
the applicant; and
if the applicant is not the injured person—the injured person; and
if a claim, other than a finalised claim, has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury and the insurer is not the applicant—the insurer.
If the agency refuses the application, or accepts the injured person on conditions, the notice must be an information notice.
(sec.23-ssec.1) The agency must give notice of a decision on an application to— the applicant; and if the applicant is not the injured person—the injured person; and if a claim, other than a finalised claim, has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury and the insurer is not the applicant—the insurer.
(sec.23-ssec.2) If the agency refuses the application, or accepts the injured person on conditions, the notice must be an information notice.
(a) the applicant; and
(b) if the applicant is not the injured person—the injured person; and
(c) if a claim, other than a finalised claim, has been made against an insurer for the serious personal injury and the insurer is not the applicant—the insurer.
sec.24
Failure to decide application
sec.24 Failure to decide application
If the agency fails to decide an application within the decision-making period, the failure is taken to be a decision by the agency to refuse the application.
If the application is taken to be refused under this section, each person mentioned in section 23 (1) is entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision.
In this section—
decision-making period includes an extension of the decision-making period under section 22 (8) .
(sec.24-ssec.1) If the agency fails to decide an application within the decision-making period, the failure is taken to be a decision by the agency to refuse the application.
(sec.24-ssec.2) If the application is taken to be refused under this section, each person mentioned in section 23 (1) is entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision.
(sec.24-ssec.3) In this section— decision-making period includes an extension of the decision-making period under section 22 (8) .
ch.2-pt.3
Assessing needs
Assessing needs
ch.2-pt.3-div.1
Preparing support plans
Preparing support plans
sec.25
Assessment of participant’s needs for treatment, care and support
sec.25 Assessment of participant’s needs for treatment, care and support
For each participant in the scheme, the agency—
must assess the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury; and
may assess any other treatment, care or support needed by the participant, including treatment, care or support that is, or may be, provided or funded other than under the scheme.
In carrying out the assessment, the agency must, to the extent practicable, consult with the participant about the following matters—
the treatment, care and support the participant considers necessary and reasonable as a result of the participant’s injury;
the participant’s abilities and limitations;
the participant’s individual goals.
The agency may also consult with any other person the agency considers appropriate.
The assessment must be carried out in the way, and at the intervals, prescribed by regulation.
However, subsection (4) does not prevent the agency from carrying out—
an extra assessment at any time the agency considers appropriate; or
an assessment of the treatment, care and support needed by a participant for a particular period only.
(sec.25-ssec.1) For each participant in the scheme, the agency— must assess the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury; and may assess any other treatment, care or support needed by the participant, including treatment, care or support that is, or may be, provided or funded other than under the scheme.
(sec.25-ssec.2) In carrying out the assessment, the agency must, to the extent practicable, consult with the participant about the following matters— the treatment, care and support the participant considers necessary and reasonable as a result of the participant’s injury; the participant’s abilities and limitations; the participant’s individual goals.
(sec.25-ssec.3) The agency may also consult with any other person the agency considers appropriate.
(sec.25-ssec.4) The assessment must be carried out in the way, and at the intervals, prescribed by regulation.
(sec.25-ssec.5) However, subsection (4) does not prevent the agency from carrying out— an extra assessment at any time the agency considers appropriate; or an assessment of the treatment, care and support needed by a participant for a particular period only.
(a) must assess the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury; and
(b) may assess any other treatment, care or support needed by the participant, including treatment, care or support that is, or may be, provided or funded other than under the scheme.
(a) the treatment, care and support the participant considers necessary and reasonable as a result of the participant’s injury;
(b) the participant’s abilities and limitations;
(c) the participant’s individual goals.
(a) an extra assessment at any time the agency considers appropriate; or
(b) an assessment of the treatment, care and support needed by a participant for a particular period only.
sec.26
Making support plan
sec.26 Making support plan
After carrying out the first assessment of a participant under section 25 , the agency must make a plan (a support plan ) that states—
the name of the participant; and
the outcomes of the assessment under section 25 (1) ; and
the matters stated in section 25 (2) , if known by the agency; and
any treatment, care and support needs the agency considers are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; and
any other treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the following matters—
whether the treatment, care or support is needed by the participant as a result of the participant’s injury or another personal injury resulting from the motor accident;
whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to fund, in whole or part, the treatment, care or support;
whether providing the treatment, care or support will, or is likely to, reduce the participant’s treatment, care and support needs;
whether funding all or part of the treatment, care or support is more practical or cost-effective than funding the participant’s treatment, care and support needs, without compromising the level of treatment, care or support received by the participant under the scheme;
whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support;
where the treatment, care or support is to be provided, including, for example, whether the treatment, care or support is to be provided outside Australia; and
any other matter prescribed by regulation.
After making the support plan, the agency must give the participant a copy of the plan.
A support plan made for a participant must be consistent with an existing decision on a service request relating to the participant.
However, subsection (3) applies only to the extent the support plan relates to the period covered by the existing decision.
(sec.26-ssec.1) After carrying out the first assessment of a participant under section 25 , the agency must make a plan (a support plan ) that states— the name of the participant; and the outcomes of the assessment under section 25 (1) ; and the matters stated in section 25 (2) , if known by the agency; and any treatment, care and support needs the agency considers are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; and any other treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the following matters— whether the treatment, care or support is needed by the participant as a result of the participant’s injury or another personal injury resulting from the motor accident; whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to fund, in whole or part, the treatment, care or support; whether providing the treatment, care or support will, or is likely to, reduce the participant’s treatment, care and support needs; whether funding all or part of the treatment, care or support is more practical or cost-effective than funding the participant’s treatment, care and support needs, without compromising the level of treatment, care or support received by the participant under the scheme; whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support; where the treatment, care or support is to be provided, including, for example, whether the treatment, care or support is to be provided outside Australia; and any other matter prescribed by regulation.
(sec.26-ssec.2) After making the support plan, the agency must give the participant a copy of the plan.
(sec.26-ssec.3) A support plan made for a participant must be consistent with an existing decision on a service request relating to the participant.
(sec.26-ssec.4) However, subsection (3) applies only to the extent the support plan relates to the period covered by the existing decision.
(a) the name of the participant; and
(b) the outcomes of the assessment under section 25 (1) ; and
(c) the matters stated in section 25 (2) , if known by the agency; and
(d) any treatment, care and support needs the agency considers are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; and
(e) any other treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the following matters— (i) whether the treatment, care or support is needed by the participant as a result of the participant’s injury or another personal injury resulting from the motor accident; (ii) whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to fund, in whole or part, the treatment, care or support; (iii) whether providing the treatment, care or support will, or is likely to, reduce the participant’s treatment, care and support needs; (iv) whether funding all or part of the treatment, care or support is more practical or cost-effective than funding the participant’s treatment, care and support needs, without compromising the level of treatment, care or support received by the participant under the scheme; (v) whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support; (vi) where the treatment, care or support is to be provided, including, for example, whether the treatment, care or support is to be provided outside Australia; and
(i) whether the treatment, care or support is needed by the participant as a result of the participant’s injury or another personal injury resulting from the motor accident;
(ii) whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to fund, in whole or part, the treatment, care or support;
(iii) whether providing the treatment, care or support will, or is likely to, reduce the participant’s treatment, care and support needs;
(iv) whether funding all or part of the treatment, care or support is more practical or cost-effective than funding the participant’s treatment, care and support needs, without compromising the level of treatment, care or support received by the participant under the scheme;
(v) whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support;
(vi) where the treatment, care or support is to be provided, including, for example, whether the treatment, care or support is to be provided outside Australia; and
(f) any other matter prescribed by regulation.
(i) whether the treatment, care or support is needed by the participant as a result of the participant’s injury or another personal injury resulting from the motor accident;
(ii) whether it would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances to fund, in whole or part, the treatment, care or support;
(iii) whether providing the treatment, care or support will, or is likely to, reduce the participant’s treatment, care and support needs;
(iv) whether funding all or part of the treatment, care or support is more practical or cost-effective than funding the participant’s treatment, care and support needs, without compromising the level of treatment, care or support received by the participant under the scheme;
(v) whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support;
(vi) where the treatment, care or support is to be provided, including, for example, whether the treatment, care or support is to be provided outside Australia; and
sec.27
Amending support plan
sec.27 Amending support plan
After carrying out a further assessment of a participant under section 25 , the agency may amend the participant’s support plan to reflect the outcomes of the assessment.
See also sections 31 (5) and 51 .
Without limiting subsection (1) , the agency may amend the support plan to include—
any treatment, care and support needs the agency considers are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or
any other treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the matters stated in section 26 (1) (e) .
An amendment to a participant’s support plan must be consistent with an existing decision on a service request relating to the participant.
However, subsection (3) applies only to the extent the amendment relates to the period covered by the existing decision.
(sec.27-ssec.1) After carrying out a further assessment of a participant under section 25 , the agency may amend the participant’s support plan to reflect the outcomes of the assessment. See also sections 31 (5) and 51 .
(sec.27-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , the agency may amend the support plan to include— any treatment, care and support needs the agency considers are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or any other treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the matters stated in section 26 (1) (e) .
(sec.27-ssec.3) An amendment to a participant’s support plan must be consistent with an existing decision on a service request relating to the participant.
(sec.27-ssec.4) However, subsection (3) applies only to the extent the amendment relates to the period covered by the existing decision.
(a) any treatment, care and support needs the agency considers are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or
(b) any other treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the matters stated in section 26 (1) (e) .
ch.2-pt.3-div.2
Service requests
Service requests
sec.28
Making service request
sec.28 Making service request
A person may, by notice (a service request ), ask the agency to fund particular treatment, care or support (the requested service ) to be provided to a participant in a particular period.
A service request may be made before or after a support plan is made for the participant.
If a service request is made by a person who is not the participant, the person making the request must give a copy of the request to the participant.
(sec.28-ssec.1) A person may, by notice (a service request ), ask the agency to fund particular treatment, care or support (the requested service ) to be provided to a participant in a particular period.
(sec.28-ssec.2) A service request may be made before or after a support plan is made for the participant.
(sec.28-ssec.3) If a service request is made by a person who is not the participant, the person making the request must give a copy of the request to the participant.
sec.29
Information request
sec.29 Information request
The agency may, by notice (an information request ), ask any of the following persons for further information needed to decide a service request—
the person who made the request;
if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
The information request must be made within 28 days after the service request is received.
(sec.29-ssec.1) The agency may, by notice (an information request ), ask any of the following persons for further information needed to decide a service request— the person who made the request; if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
(sec.29-ssec.2) The information request must be made within 28 days after the service request is received.
(a) the person who made the request;
(b) if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
sec.30
Assessing service request
sec.30 Assessing service request
In assessing a service request, the agency must consider the following matters—
whether or not the requested service relates to the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury;
if the requested service relates to the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury—whether or not the needs are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances;
if the requested service does not relate to the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury, or it relates to treatment, care and support needs that are not necessary and reasonable in the circumstances—whether or not the agency considers the requested service should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the matters stated in section 26 (1) (e) .
(a) whether or not the requested service relates to the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury;
(b) if the requested service relates to the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury—whether or not the needs are necessary and reasonable in the circumstances;
(c) if the requested service does not relate to the participant’s treatment, care and support needs as a result of the participant’s injury, or it relates to treatment, care and support needs that are not necessary and reasonable in the circumstances—whether or not the agency considers the requested service should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the matters stated in section 26 (1) (e) .
sec.31
Deciding service request
sec.31 Deciding service request
After assessing a service request, the agency must—
decide to—
approve the request with or without conditions; or
refuse the request; and
give notice of the decision to—
the person who made the request; and
if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
A decision under subsection (1) must be made within the decision-making period.
If the agency decides to approve the request with conditions, or refuse the request, the notice given to the participant must be an information notice.
Subsections (5) and (6) apply if a support plan has been made for the participant.
If the agency decides to approve the request, with or without conditions, the agency must amend the support plan to reflect the approval.
If the agency decides to refuse the request, a copy of the information notice for the decision must be attached to the support plan.
(sec.31-ssec.1) After assessing a service request, the agency must— decide to— approve the request with or without conditions; or refuse the request; and give notice of the decision to— the person who made the request; and if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
(sec.31-ssec.2) A decision under subsection (1) must be made within the decision-making period.
(sec.31-ssec.3) If the agency decides to approve the request with conditions, or refuse the request, the notice given to the participant must be an information notice.
(sec.31-ssec.4) Subsections (5) and (6) apply if a support plan has been made for the participant.
(sec.31-ssec.5) If the agency decides to approve the request, with or without conditions, the agency must amend the support plan to reflect the approval.
(sec.31-ssec.6) If the agency decides to refuse the request, a copy of the information notice for the decision must be attached to the support plan.
(a) decide to— (i) approve the request with or without conditions; or (ii) refuse the request; and
(i) approve the request with or without conditions; or
(ii) refuse the request; and
(b) give notice of the decision to— (i) the person who made the request; and (ii) if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
(i) the person who made the request; and
(ii) if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
(i) approve the request with or without conditions; or
(ii) refuse the request; and
(i) the person who made the request; and
(ii) if the person who made the request is not the participant—the participant.
sec.32
Failure to decide service request
sec.32 Failure to decide service request
If the agency fails to decide a service request within the decision-making period, the failure is taken to be a decision by the agency to refuse the request.
If the request is taken to be refused under this section, the participant is entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision.
(sec.32-ssec.1) If the agency fails to decide a service request within the decision-making period, the failure is taken to be a decision by the agency to refuse the request.
(sec.32-ssec.2) If the request is taken to be refused under this section, the participant is entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision.
ch.2-pt.4
Payments
Payments
ch.2-pt.4-div.1
Preliminary
Preliminary
sec.33
About this part
sec.33 About this part
This part sets out the 3 ways that payments may be made in relation to the treatment, care and support of participants in the scheme.
See also section 94 .
Division 2 provides for payments to be made under funding agreements to cover particular treatment, care and support expenses incurred in particular periods.
Division 3 provides for payment requests to be made for treatment, care and support expenses as the expenses are incurred.
Division 4 provides for the agency to contribute towards an insurer’s liability for treatment, care and support damages on a claim in particular circumstances.
(sec.33-ssec.1) This part sets out the 3 ways that payments may be made in relation to the treatment, care and support of participants in the scheme. See also section 94 .
(sec.33-ssec.2) Division 2 provides for payments to be made under funding agreements to cover particular treatment, care and support expenses incurred in particular periods.
(sec.33-ssec.3) Division 3 provides for payment requests to be made for treatment, care and support expenses as the expenses are incurred.
(sec.33-ssec.4) Division 4 provides for the agency to contribute towards an insurer’s liability for treatment, care and support damages on a claim in particular circumstances.
ch.2-pt.4-div.2
Funding agreements
Funding agreements
sec.34
Funding agreement
sec.34 Funding agreement
The agency may enter into an agreement (a funding agreement ) with a person that provides for the agency to pay to the person an amount to cover particular expenses to be incurred by the person, in a stated period, for the treatment, care or support of a participant.
However, a funding agreement may not be entered into in the circumstances, or for the treatment, care or support, prescribed by regulation.
A funding agreement must include the terms prescribed by regulation.
(sec.34-ssec.1) The agency may enter into an agreement (a funding agreement ) with a person that provides for the agency to pay to the person an amount to cover particular expenses to be incurred by the person, in a stated period, for the treatment, care or support of a participant.
(sec.34-ssec.2) However, a funding agreement may not be entered into in the circumstances, or for the treatment, care or support, prescribed by regulation.
(sec.34-ssec.3) A funding agreement must include the terms prescribed by regulation.
ch.2-pt.4-div.3
Payment requests
Payment requests
sec.35
Request for payment
sec.35 Request for payment
A person who incurs an expense for the treatment, care or support of a participant may, by notice (a payment request ), ask the agency to pay all or part of the amount of the expense (the requested amount ).
However, a payment request may not be made for the expense if—
the person has entered into a funding agreement with the agency for the treatment, care or support; and
the expense was incurred in the period covered by the funding agreement.
A payment request must be made within 6 months after the expense is incurred.
However, the agency may accept a later payment request if the agency considers it is fair and reasonable in the circumstances to accept the request.
(sec.35-ssec.1) A person who incurs an expense for the treatment, care or support of a participant may, by notice (a payment request ), ask the agency to pay all or part of the amount of the expense (the requested amount ).
(sec.35-ssec.2) However, a payment request may not be made for the expense if— the person has entered into a funding agreement with the agency for the treatment, care or support; and the expense was incurred in the period covered by the funding agreement.
(sec.35-ssec.3) A payment request must be made within 6 months after the expense is incurred.
(sec.35-ssec.4) However, the agency may accept a later payment request if the agency considers it is fair and reasonable in the circumstances to accept the request.
(a) the person has entered into a funding agreement with the agency for the treatment, care or support; and
(b) the expense was incurred in the period covered by the funding agreement.
sec.36
Information request
sec.36 Information request
The agency may, by notice (an information request ), ask any of the following persons for information needed to decide a payment request—
the person who made the payment request;
if the person who made the payment request is not the participant—the participant.
The information request must—
be made within 28 days after the payment request is received; and
state that, if the requested information is not given to the agency by a stated day (the due day ), the payment request will lapse.
The due day must be at least 10 days after the information request is given.
The payment request lapses if the requested information is not given to the agency—
by the due day; or
by a later day agreed between the agency and the person to whom the information request was given.
If the information request is made to a person, other than the person who made the payment request, the agency must give a copy of the information request to the person who made the payment request.
(sec.36-ssec.1) The agency may, by notice (an information request ), ask any of the following persons for information needed to decide a payment request— the person who made the payment request; if the person who made the payment request is not the participant—the participant.
(sec.36-ssec.2) The information request must— be made within 28 days after the payment request is received; and state that, if the requested information is not given to the agency by a stated day (the due day ), the payment request will lapse.
(sec.36-ssec.3) The due day must be at least 10 days after the information request is given.
(sec.36-ssec.4) The payment request lapses if the requested information is not given to the agency— by the due day; or by a later day agreed between the agency and the person to whom the information request was given.
(sec.36-ssec.5) If the information request is made to a person, other than the person who made the payment request, the agency must give a copy of the information request to the person who made the payment request.
(a) the person who made the payment request;
(b) if the person who made the payment request is not the participant—the participant.
(a) be made within 28 days after the payment request is received; and
(b) state that, if the requested information is not given to the agency by a stated day (the due day ), the payment request will lapse.
(a) by the due day; or
(b) by a later day agreed between the agency and the person to whom the information request was given.
sec.37
Deciding payment request
sec.37 Deciding payment request
The agency must, within the decision-making period, decide to—
approve the payment request; or
refuse the payment request.
The agency must approve the payment request if—
the expense is incurred in the period the participant is a participant in the scheme; and
the treatment, care or support that the request relates to is an approved service for the participant.
To remove any doubt, it is declared that the agency may approve the payment request even though the treatment, care or support is not an approved service.
If the agency approves the payment request, the agency must pay the requested amount to the person who made the request within 28 days after making the decision.
However, the agency is not liable to pay a part of the requested amount that exceeds—
if the requested amount relates to treatment, care or support provided within Australia—an amount prescribed by regulation for the treatment, care or support; or
if the requested amount relates to treatment, care or support provided outside Australia—the average cost of providing the treatment, care or support in Queensland.
In this section—
approved service does not include excluded treatment, care and support, unless—
if a support plan has been made for the participant—the excluded treatment, care and support is specifically stated in the support plan to be—
a treatment, care and support need that the agency considers is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or
treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme; or
if a support plan has not been made for the participant—the excluded treatment, care and support is specifically approved under a service request approval relating to the participant.
(sec.37-ssec.1) The agency must, within the decision-making period, decide to— approve the payment request; or refuse the payment request.
(sec.37-ssec.2) The agency must approve the payment request if— the expense is incurred in the period the participant is a participant in the scheme; and the treatment, care or support that the request relates to is an approved service for the participant.
(sec.37-ssec.3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the agency may approve the payment request even though the treatment, care or support is not an approved service.
(sec.37-ssec.4) If the agency approves the payment request, the agency must pay the requested amount to the person who made the request within 28 days after making the decision.
(sec.37-ssec.5) However, the agency is not liable to pay a part of the requested amount that exceeds— if the requested amount relates to treatment, care or support provided within Australia—an amount prescribed by regulation for the treatment, care or support; or if the requested amount relates to treatment, care or support provided outside Australia—the average cost of providing the treatment, care or support in Queensland.
(sec.37-ssec.6) In this section— approved service does not include excluded treatment, care and support, unless— if a support plan has been made for the participant—the excluded treatment, care and support is specifically stated in the support plan to be— a treatment, care and support need that the agency considers is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme; or if a support plan has not been made for the participant—the excluded treatment, care and support is specifically approved under a service request approval relating to the participant.
(a) approve the payment request; or
(b) refuse the payment request.
(a) the expense is incurred in the period the participant is a participant in the scheme; and
(b) the treatment, care or support that the request relates to is an approved service for the participant.
(a) if the requested amount relates to treatment, care or support provided within Australia—an amount prescribed by regulation for the treatment, care or support; or
(b) if the requested amount relates to treatment, care or support provided outside Australia—the average cost of providing the treatment, care or support in Queensland.
(a) if a support plan has been made for the participant—the excluded treatment, care and support is specifically stated in the support plan to be— (i) a treatment, care and support need that the agency considers is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or (ii) treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme; or
(i) a treatment, care and support need that the agency considers is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or
(ii) treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme; or
(b) if a support plan has not been made for the participant—the excluded treatment, care and support is specifically approved under a service request approval relating to the participant.
(i) a treatment, care and support need that the agency considers is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances as a result of the participant’s injury; or
(ii) treatment, care or support the agency considers should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme; or
sec.38
Notice of decision
sec.38 Notice of decision
If the payment request is refused, the agency must give notice of the decision to—
the person who made the payment request; and
if the person who made the payment request is not the participant—the participant.
The notice given to the participant must be an information notice.
(sec.38-ssec.1) If the payment request is refused, the agency must give notice of the decision to— the person who made the payment request; and if the person who made the payment request is not the participant—the participant.
(sec.38-ssec.2) The notice given to the participant must be an information notice.
(a) the person who made the payment request; and
(b) if the person who made the payment request is not the participant—the participant.
sec.39
Failure to decide payment request
sec.39 Failure to decide payment request
If the agency fails to decide a payment request within the decision-making period, the failure is taken to be a decision by the agency to refuse the request.
If the request is taken to be refused under this section, the participant is entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision.
(sec.39-ssec.1) If the agency fails to decide a payment request within the decision-making period, the failure is taken to be a decision by the agency to refuse the request.
(sec.39-ssec.2) If the request is taken to be refused under this section, the participant is entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision.
ch.2-pt.4-div.4
Contribution by agency
Contribution by agency
sec.40
Application of division
sec.40 Application of division
This division applies in relation to a lifetime participant if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury.
sec.41
Notice about right to treatment, care and support damages
sec.41 Notice about right to treatment, care and support damages
The participant must give a notice to the agency and the insurer stating whether or not the participant wants to preserve any right the participant may have to be awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement.
A notice given under subsection (1) stating that the participant wants to preserve any right the participant may have to be awarded treatment, care and support damages is a preservation notice .
The participant must give a notice under subsection (1) —
if the claim is made after the participant is accepted as a lifetime participant—within 14 days after the participant is given, or is entitled to be given, a notice under the Insurance Act , section 39 (1) or (2) ; or
if the claim is made before the participant is accepted as a lifetime participant—within 14 days after the participant is given notice of the participant’s acceptance into the scheme as a lifetime participant.
However, a notice may be given after the period stated in subsection (3) , but before a final judgment is given, or a settlement is made, in relation to the claim, if—
the insurer and the agency agree to the notice being given; and
for a claim that is the subject of a proceeding before a court—the court orders that the notice may be given.
If the agency considers the participant is a person under a legal disability, the agency must apply to the court for an order sanctioning a notice given under subsection (1) .
Subsections (7) and (8) apply if the court considers the participant is a person under a legal disability.
The court—
must decide whether or not to sanction the notice; and
may order that the participant, or a person acting for the participant, give a new notice under subsection (1) ; and
may make any other order the court considers appropriate.
If the participant is an adult, the court may exercise all the powers of QCAT under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , chapter 3 .
If the court exercises a power mentioned in subsection (8) , the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , section 245 (3) to (6) applies in relation to the exercise of the power as if the court were acting under section 245 (2) of that Act.
This section is subject to section 43 .
In this section—
court means—
if a proceeding in relation to the claim has been brought in the District Court or the Supreme Court—the court hearing the proceeding; or
otherwise—the District Court or the Supreme Court.
(sec.41-ssec.1) The participant must give a notice to the agency and the insurer stating whether or not the participant wants to preserve any right the participant may have to be awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement.
(sec.41-ssec.2) A notice given under subsection (1) stating that the participant wants to preserve any right the participant may have to be awarded treatment, care and support damages is a preservation notice .
(sec.41-ssec.3) The participant must give a notice under subsection (1) — if the claim is made after the participant is accepted as a lifetime participant—within 14 days after the participant is given, or is entitled to be given, a notice under the Insurance Act , section 39 (1) or (2) ; or if the claim is made before the participant is accepted as a lifetime participant—within 14 days after the participant is given notice of the participant’s acceptance into the scheme as a lifetime participant.
(sec.41-ssec.4) However, a notice may be given after the period stated in subsection (3) , but before a final judgment is given, or a settlement is made, in relation to the claim, if— the insurer and the agency agree to the notice being given; and for a claim that is the subject of a proceeding before a court—the court orders that the notice may be given.
(sec.41-ssec.5) If the agency considers the participant is a person under a legal disability, the agency must apply to the court for an order sanctioning a notice given under subsection (1) .
(sec.41-ssec.6) Subsections (7) and (8) apply if the court considers the participant is a person under a legal disability.
(sec.41-ssec.7) The court— must decide whether or not to sanction the notice; and may order that the participant, or a person acting for the participant, give a new notice under subsection (1) ; and may make any other order the court considers appropriate.
(sec.41-ssec.8) If the participant is an adult, the court may exercise all the powers of QCAT under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , chapter 3 .
(sec.41-ssec.9) If the court exercises a power mentioned in subsection (8) , the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , section 245 (3) to (6) applies in relation to the exercise of the power as if the court were acting under section 245 (2) of that Act.
(sec.41-ssec.10) This section is subject to section 43 .
(sec.41-ssec.11) In this section— court means— if a proceeding in relation to the claim has been brought in the District Court or the Supreme Court—the court hearing the proceeding; or otherwise—the District Court or the Supreme Court.
(a) if the claim is made after the participant is accepted as a lifetime participant—within 14 days after the participant is given, or is entitled to be given, a notice under the Insurance Act , section 39 (1) or (2) ; or
(b) if the claim is made before the participant is accepted as a lifetime participant—within 14 days after the participant is given notice of the participant’s acceptance into the scheme as a lifetime participant.
(a) the insurer and the agency agree to the notice being given; and
(b) for a claim that is the subject of a proceeding before a court—the court orders that the notice may be given.
(a) must decide whether or not to sanction the notice; and
(b) may order that the participant, or a person acting for the participant, give a new notice under subsection (1) ; and
(c) may make any other order the court considers appropriate.
(a) if a proceeding in relation to the claim has been brought in the District Court or the Supreme Court—the court hearing the proceeding; or
(b) otherwise—the District Court or the Supreme Court.
sec.42
Liability of agency to contribute towards damages
sec.42 Liability of agency to contribute towards damages
If the participant gives a preservation notice, the agency is liable to contribute towards the insurer’s liability, if any, on the claim for treatment, care and support damages.
For the awarding of damages in relation to a participant’s treatment, care and support needs, see the Civil Liability Act 2003 , chapter 3 , part 2A .
For the role of the agency in relation to a claim that the agency is liable to contribute towards, see the Insurance Act , part 4 , division 8 .
However, the agency stops being liable to contribute if—
a court decides, or the parties to the claim agree by way of settlement, that—
the participant is guilty of contributory negligence in relation to the claim; and
the damages that the participant would otherwise be entitled to in the absence of contributory negligence are to be reduced, because of the contributory negligence, by 50% or more; or
a court decides, under section 41 (7) , not to sanction the preservation notice; or
a court makes an order, under section 43 , preventing the participant from being awarded treatment, care and support damages; or
for a participant other than a participant whose preservation notice has been sanctioned by a court—the participant, by notice to the agency and the insurer, withdraws the preservation notice.
In this section—
party , to the claim, includes the agency.
(sec.42-ssec.1) If the participant gives a preservation notice, the agency is liable to contribute towards the insurer’s liability, if any, on the claim for treatment, care and support damages. For the awarding of damages in relation to a participant’s treatment, care and support needs, see the Civil Liability Act 2003 , chapter 3 , part 2A . For the role of the agency in relation to a claim that the agency is liable to contribute towards, see the Insurance Act , part 4 , division 8 .
(sec.42-ssec.2) However, the agency stops being liable to contribute if— a court decides, or the parties to the claim agree by way of settlement, that— the participant is guilty of contributory negligence in relation to the claim; and the damages that the participant would otherwise be entitled to in the absence of contributory negligence are to be reduced, because of the contributory negligence, by 50% or more; or a court decides, under section 41 (7) , not to sanction the preservation notice; or a court makes an order, under section 43 , preventing the participant from being awarded treatment, care and support damages; or for a participant other than a participant whose preservation notice has been sanctioned by a court—the participant, by notice to the agency and the insurer, withdraws the preservation notice.
(sec.42-ssec.3) In this section— party , to the claim, includes the agency.
1 For the awarding of damages in relation to a participant’s treatment, care and support needs, see the Civil Liability Act 2003 , chapter 3 , part 2A .
2 For the role of the agency in relation to a claim that the agency is liable to contribute towards, see the Insurance Act , part 4 , division 8 .
(a) a court decides, or the parties to the claim agree by way of settlement, that— (i) the participant is guilty of contributory negligence in relation to the claim; and (ii) the damages that the participant would otherwise be entitled to in the absence of contributory negligence are to be reduced, because of the contributory negligence, by 50% or more; or
(i) the participant is guilty of contributory negligence in relation to the claim; and
(ii) the damages that the participant would otherwise be entitled to in the absence of contributory negligence are to be reduced, because of the contributory negligence, by 50% or more; or
(b) a court decides, under section 41 (7) , not to sanction the preservation notice; or
(c) a court makes an order, under section 43 , preventing the participant from being awarded treatment, care and support damages; or
(d) for a participant other than a participant whose preservation notice has been sanctioned by a court—the participant, by notice to the agency and the insurer, withdraws the preservation notice.
(i) the participant is guilty of contributory negligence in relation to the claim; and
(ii) the damages that the participant would otherwise be entitled to in the absence of contributory negligence are to be reduced, because of the contributory negligence, by 50% or more; or
sec.43
Application to court for order
sec.43 Application to court for order
The agency may apply to the court for an order preventing the participant from being awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement.
An application under subsection (1) may be made whether or not the participant has given a notice under section 41 (1) .
The participant is the respondent to the application.
In deciding whether to make the order, the court—
must consider the participant’s ability to manage an award of treatment, care and support damages in a way that will not compromise the participant’s—
prospects of improvement or rehabilitation; or
future health and wellbeing; and
must consider whether the participant is a person under a legal disability; and
may consider any other matter the court considers relevant.
If the court makes the order—
the participant may not give a preservation notice; and
any preservation notice given by the participant is taken not to have been given.
If the participant is an adult, the court may exercise all the powers of QCAT under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , chapter 3 .
If the court exercises a power mentioned in subsection (6) , the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , section 245 (3) to (6) applies in relation to the exercise of the power as if the court were acting under section 245 (2) of that Act.
In this section—
court means—
if a proceeding in relation to the claim has been brought in the District Court or the Supreme Court—the court hearing the proceeding; or
otherwise—the District Court or the Supreme Court.
(sec.43-ssec.1) The agency may apply to the court for an order preventing the participant from being awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement.
(sec.43-ssec.2) An application under subsection (1) may be made whether or not the participant has given a notice under section 41 (1) .
(sec.43-ssec.3) The participant is the respondent to the application.
(sec.43-ssec.4) In deciding whether to make the order, the court— must consider the participant’s ability to manage an award of treatment, care and support damages in a way that will not compromise the participant’s— prospects of improvement or rehabilitation; or future health and wellbeing; and must consider whether the participant is a person under a legal disability; and may consider any other matter the court considers relevant.
(sec.43-ssec.5) If the court makes the order— the participant may not give a preservation notice; and any preservation notice given by the participant is taken not to have been given.
(sec.43-ssec.6) If the participant is an adult, the court may exercise all the powers of QCAT under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , chapter 3 .
(sec.43-ssec.7) If the court exercises a power mentioned in subsection (6) , the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 , section 245 (3) to (6) applies in relation to the exercise of the power as if the court were acting under section 245 (2) of that Act.
(sec.43-ssec.8) In this section— court means— if a proceeding in relation to the claim has been brought in the District Court or the Supreme Court—the court hearing the proceeding; or otherwise—the District Court or the Supreme Court.
(a) must consider the participant’s ability to manage an award of treatment, care and support damages in a way that will not compromise the participant’s— (i) prospects of improvement or rehabilitation; or (ii) future health and wellbeing; and
(i) prospects of improvement or rehabilitation; or
(ii) future health and wellbeing; and
(b) must consider whether the participant is a person under a legal disability; and
(c) may consider any other matter the court considers relevant.
(i) prospects of improvement or rehabilitation; or
(ii) future health and wellbeing; and
(a) the participant may not give a preservation notice; and
(b) any preservation notice given by the participant is taken not to have been given.
(a) if a proceeding in relation to the claim has been brought in the District Court or the Supreme Court—the court hearing the proceeding; or
(b) otherwise—the District Court or the Supreme Court.
sec.44
Acceptance of treatment, care and support damages
sec.44 Acceptance of treatment, care and support damages
This section applies if—
the participant is awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement; and
the agency is liable, under section 42 , to contribute towards the insurer’s liability on the claim for treatment, care and support damages.
The participant must, within the acceptance period, give notice to the agency and the insurer stating whether or not the participant accepts the awarded treatment, care and support damages.
If the participant states in the notice given under subsection (2) that the participant accepts the awarded treatment, care and support damages—
the agency must pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages, less any amount that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme; and
the participant stops being a participant in the scheme when the participant receives the payment under paragraph (a) ; and
despite the final judgment of the court or the terms of the binding settlement—
the insurer is not liable to pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages; and
the agency is not liable to pay to the participant any amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme.
Subsection (5) applies if the participant gives a notice under subsection (2) stating that the participant does not accept the awarded treatment, care and support damages.
Despite the final judgment of the court or the terms of the binding settlement, neither the agency nor the insurer is liable to pay the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages.
For this section, a payment of an amount of damages is taken to have been paid to, or received by, the participant if the payment is paid to, or received by, a person who may lawfully receive the payment for the participant.
This section applies despite the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 , part 13 .
In this section—
acceptance period means—
if the binding settlement or final judgment under which the treatment, care and support damages are awarded must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee—the period of 14 days after the sanction is given; or
if the treatment, care and support damages are awarded under a binding settlement and paragraph (a) does not apply—the period of 14 days after the settlement is made; or
if the treatment, care and support damages are awarded under a final judgment of a court and paragraph (a) does not apply—the period of 14 days after the period for lodging an appeal against the judgment ends.
(sec.44-ssec.1) This section applies if— the participant is awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement; and the agency is liable, under section 42 , to contribute towards the insurer’s liability on the claim for treatment, care and support damages.
(sec.44-ssec.2) The participant must, within the acceptance period, give notice to the agency and the insurer stating whether or not the participant accepts the awarded treatment, care and support damages.
(sec.44-ssec.3) If the participant states in the notice given under subsection (2) that the participant accepts the awarded treatment, care and support damages— the agency must pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages, less any amount that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme; and the participant stops being a participant in the scheme when the participant receives the payment under paragraph (a) ; and despite the final judgment of the court or the terms of the binding settlement— the insurer is not liable to pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages; and the agency is not liable to pay to the participant any amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme.
(sec.44-ssec.4) Subsection (5) applies if the participant gives a notice under subsection (2) stating that the participant does not accept the awarded treatment, care and support damages.
(sec.44-ssec.5) Despite the final judgment of the court or the terms of the binding settlement, neither the agency nor the insurer is liable to pay the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages.
(sec.44-ssec.6) For this section, a payment of an amount of damages is taken to have been paid to, or received by, the participant if the payment is paid to, or received by, a person who may lawfully receive the payment for the participant.
(sec.44-ssec.7) This section applies despite the Civil Proceedings Act 2011 , part 13 .
(sec.44-ssec.8) In this section— acceptance period means— if the binding settlement or final judgment under which the treatment, care and support damages are awarded must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee—the period of 14 days after the sanction is given; or if the treatment, care and support damages are awarded under a binding settlement and paragraph (a) does not apply—the period of 14 days after the settlement is made; or if the treatment, care and support damages are awarded under a final judgment of a court and paragraph (a) does not apply—the period of 14 days after the period for lodging an appeal against the judgment ends.
(a) the participant is awarded treatment, care and support damages under a final judgment of a court or a binding settlement; and
(b) the agency is liable, under section 42 , to contribute towards the insurer’s liability on the claim for treatment, care and support damages.
(a) the agency must pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages, less any amount that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme; and
(b) the participant stops being a participant in the scheme when the participant receives the payment under paragraph (a) ; and
(c) despite the final judgment of the court or the terms of the binding settlement— (i) the insurer is not liable to pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages; and (ii) the agency is not liable to pay to the participant any amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme.
(i) the insurer is not liable to pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages; and
(ii) the agency is not liable to pay to the participant any amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme.
(i) the insurer is not liable to pay to the participant the amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages; and
(ii) the agency is not liable to pay to the participant any amount of the awarded treatment, care and support damages that relates to the period of the participant’s participation in the scheme.
(a) if the binding settlement or final judgment under which the treatment, care and support damages are awarded must, under another Act, be sanctioned by a court or the public trustee—the period of 14 days after the sanction is given; or
(b) if the treatment, care and support damages are awarded under a binding settlement and paragraph (a) does not apply—the period of 14 days after the settlement is made; or
(c) if the treatment, care and support damages are awarded under a final judgment of a court and paragraph (a) does not apply—the period of 14 days after the period for lodging an appeal against the judgment ends.
ch.2-pt.5
Reviewing participation
Reviewing participation
sec.45
Reviewing participation of interim participant
sec.45 Reviewing participation of interim participant
The agency may review the participation of an interim participant at any time during the participation period.
At least 1 review must be carried out before the end of the participation period.
The agency must give the interim participant notice of the review at least 28 days before carrying out the review.
In carrying out the review, the agency may ask the participant to give the agency information needed to make a decision under section 46 .
(sec.45-ssec.1) The agency may review the participation of an interim participant at any time during the participation period.
(sec.45-ssec.2) At least 1 review must be carried out before the end of the participation period.
(sec.45-ssec.3) The agency must give the interim participant notice of the review at least 28 days before carrying out the review.
(sec.45-ssec.4) In carrying out the review, the agency may ask the participant to give the agency information needed to make a decision under section 46 .
sec.46
Decision about review
sec.46 Decision about review
After carrying out a review, the agency must make a decision about—
whether or not the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme; and
if the agency decides that the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme—whether or not the agency is satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
A decision under subsection (1) must be made before the end of the participation period.
Subsection (4) applies if the agency decides that—
the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme; and
the agency is satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria after the participation period ends.
The agency must accept the person as a participant in relation to the injury for the rest of the person’s life.
If subsection (4) does not apply, the participant stops being a participant—
at the end of the participation period; or
if the agency decides the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme—on an earlier day stated in the notice given to the participant under section 47 .
(sec.46-ssec.1) After carrying out a review, the agency must make a decision about— whether or not the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme; and if the agency decides that the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme—whether or not the agency is satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
(sec.46-ssec.2) A decision under subsection (1) must be made before the end of the participation period.
(sec.46-ssec.3) Subsection (4) applies if the agency decides that— the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme; and the agency is satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria after the participation period ends.
(sec.46-ssec.4) The agency must accept the person as a participant in relation to the injury for the rest of the person’s life.
(sec.46-ssec.5) If subsection (4) does not apply, the participant stops being a participant— at the end of the participation period; or if the agency decides the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme—on an earlier day stated in the notice given to the participant under section 47 .
(a) whether or not the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme; and
(b) if the agency decides that the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme—whether or not the agency is satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
(a) the participant is still eligible to participate in the scheme; and
(b) the agency is satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria after the participation period ends.
(a) at the end of the participation period; or
(b) if the agency decides the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme—on an earlier day stated in the notice given to the participant under section 47 .
sec.47
Notice of review decision
sec.47 Notice of review decision
Within 14 days after making a decision under section 46 , the agency must give notice of the decision to—
the participant; and
if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury and the claim has not been finalised—the insurer.
If the agency makes either of the following decisions, the notice must be an information notice—
a decision that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme;
a decision that the agency is not satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
(sec.47-ssec.1) Within 14 days after making a decision under section 46 , the agency must give notice of the decision to— the participant; and if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury and the claim has not been finalised—the insurer.
(sec.47-ssec.2) If the agency makes either of the following decisions, the notice must be an information notice— a decision that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme; a decision that the agency is not satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
(a) the participant; and
(b) if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury and the claim has not been finalised—the insurer.
(a) a decision that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme;
(b) a decision that the agency is not satisfied that the participant’s injury is likely to continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the injury after the participation period ends.
sec.48
Failure to make review decision
sec.48 Failure to make review decision
If the agency does not make a decision under section 47 about a review before the end of the participation period—
the agency is taken to have decided that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme; and
the participant stops being a participant in the scheme at the end of the participation period.
If the agency is taken, under this section, to have decided that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme, the following persons are entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision—
the participant;
if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury and the claim has not been finalised—the insurer.
(sec.48-ssec.1) If the agency does not make a decision under section 47 about a review before the end of the participation period— the agency is taken to have decided that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme; and the participant stops being a participant in the scheme at the end of the participation period.
(sec.48-ssec.2) If the agency is taken, under this section, to have decided that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme, the following persons are entitled to be given an information notice by the agency for the decision— the participant; if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury and the claim has not been finalised—the insurer.
(a) the agency is taken to have decided that the participant is no longer eligible to participate in the scheme; and
(b) the participant stops being a participant in the scheme at the end of the participation period.
(a) the participant;
(b) if a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury and the claim has not been finalised—the insurer.
ch.2-pt.6
Participants absent from Australia
Participants absent from Australia
sec.49
Application of part
sec.49 Application of part
This part applies to a participant in the scheme if—
the participant leaves Australia; and
while the participant is absent from Australia, expenses are, or are likely to be, incurred by or for the participant for the participant’s treatment, care or support; and
the agency did not, in deciding the approved services for the participant, consider the need for treatment, care and support to be provided outside Australia as a result of the participant’s absence.
(a) the participant leaves Australia; and
(b) while the participant is absent from Australia, expenses are, or are likely to be, incurred by or for the participant for the participant’s treatment, care or support; and
(c) the agency did not, in deciding the approved services for the participant, consider the need for treatment, care and support to be provided outside Australia as a result of the participant’s absence.
sec.50
Participant must notify agency of absence
sec.50 Participant must notify agency of absence
At least 1 month before leaving Australia, the participant must give notice of the absence to the agency, unless the participant has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.
The notice must state—
the day the participant intends to leave Australia; and
if the participant intends to return to Australia—the day the participant intends to return; and
the participant’s address while outside Australia; and
any treatment, care and support to be provided outside Australia that the participant wants the agency to fund.
However, this section does not apply if, before the participant leaves Australia, a service request is made, or a funding agreement is entered into, for the treatment, care and support to be provided to the participant outside Australia.
(sec.50-ssec.1) At least 1 month before leaving Australia, the participant must give notice of the absence to the agency, unless the participant has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.
(sec.50-ssec.2) The notice must state— the day the participant intends to leave Australia; and if the participant intends to return to Australia—the day the participant intends to return; and the participant’s address while outside Australia; and any treatment, care and support to be provided outside Australia that the participant wants the agency to fund.
(sec.50-ssec.3) However, this section does not apply if, before the participant leaves Australia, a service request is made, or a funding agreement is entered into, for the treatment, care and support to be provided to the participant outside Australia.
(a) the day the participant intends to leave Australia; and
(b) if the participant intends to return to Australia—the day the participant intends to return; and
(c) the participant’s address while outside Australia; and
(d) any treatment, care and support to be provided outside Australia that the participant wants the agency to fund.
sec.51
Reviewing support plan or service request approval
sec.51 Reviewing support plan or service request approval
This section applies if—
a support plan has been made for the participant; or
a support plan has not been made for the participant, but a service request approval relating to the participant has been given.
To the extent the support plan or service request approval relates to the period the participant is, or intends to be, absent from Australia, the agency may—
review the plan or approval; and
make any amendments to the plan or approval the agency considers appropriate.
Without limiting subsection (2) , the agency may amend the approved services for the participant by—
removing or rescheduling any treatment, care or support that is to be provided in Australia while the person is absent from Australia; or
including any treatment, care or support that is to be provided outside Australia while the person is absent from Australia, if the agency considers the treatment, care or support should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the following matters—
the length of the absence;
whether the treatment, care or support is to be, or could be, provided or funded in another way during the absence;
whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support;
any other matter the agency considers relevant.
However, the agency may amend the approved services to include treatment, care or support that is to be provided outside Australia only if a service request has not been made for the treatment, care or support.
If the agency decides to amend the support plan or the service request approval, the agency must, within 14 days of making the decision, give the participant—
a copy of the amended plan or approval; and
if the decision is to amend approved services—an information notice for the decision.
To remove any doubt, it is declared that the agency is not required to carry out an assessment under section 25 before amending a support plan under this section.
(sec.51-ssec.1) This section applies if— a support plan has been made for the participant; or a support plan has not been made for the participant, but a service request approval relating to the participant has been given.
(sec.51-ssec.2) To the extent the support plan or service request approval relates to the period the participant is, or intends to be, absent from Australia, the agency may— review the plan or approval; and make any amendments to the plan or approval the agency considers appropriate.
(sec.51-ssec.3) Without limiting subsection (2) , the agency may amend the approved services for the participant by— removing or rescheduling any treatment, care or support that is to be provided in Australia while the person is absent from Australia; or including any treatment, care or support that is to be provided outside Australia while the person is absent from Australia, if the agency considers the treatment, care or support should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the following matters— the length of the absence; whether the treatment, care or support is to be, or could be, provided or funded in another way during the absence; whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support; any other matter the agency considers relevant.
(sec.51-ssec.4) However, the agency may amend the approved services to include treatment, care or support that is to be provided outside Australia only if a service request has not been made for the treatment, care or support.
(sec.51-ssec.5) If the agency decides to amend the support plan or the service request approval, the agency must, within 14 days of making the decision, give the participant— a copy of the amended plan or approval; and if the decision is to amend approved services—an information notice for the decision.
(sec.51-ssec.6) To remove any doubt, it is declared that the agency is not required to carry out an assessment under section 25 before amending a support plan under this section.
(a) a support plan has been made for the participant; or
(b) a support plan has not been made for the participant, but a service request approval relating to the participant has been given.
(a) review the plan or approval; and
(b) make any amendments to the plan or approval the agency considers appropriate.
(a) removing or rescheduling any treatment, care or support that is to be provided in Australia while the person is absent from Australia; or
(b) including any treatment, care or support that is to be provided outside Australia while the person is absent from Australia, if the agency considers the treatment, care or support should be funded, in whole or part, under the scheme, having regard to the following matters— (i) the length of the absence; (ii) whether the treatment, care or support is to be, or could be, provided or funded in another way during the absence; (iii) whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support; (iv) any other matter the agency considers relevant.
(i) the length of the absence;
(ii) whether the treatment, care or support is to be, or could be, provided or funded in another way during the absence;
(iii) whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support;
(iv) any other matter the agency considers relevant.
(i) the length of the absence;
(ii) whether the treatment, care or support is to be, or could be, provided or funded in another way during the absence;
(iii) whether the treatment, care or support is excluded treatment, care and support;
(iv) any other matter the agency considers relevant.
(a) a copy of the amended plan or approval; and
(b) if the decision is to amend approved services—an information notice for the decision.
sec.52
Suspending participation
sec.52 Suspending participation
The agency may suspend the participant’s participation in the scheme if—
the agency is satisfied the participant has left Australia for more than 3 consecutive months; and
either of the following applies—
a claim has not been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury;
a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury, but the insurer has denied liability on the claim or has been held by a court not to be liable for the participant’s injury.
Also, the agency may suspend the participant’s participation in the scheme if the agency considers that the participant’s absence from Australia will, or is likely to, adversely affect—
the participant’s condition as a result of the participant’s injury; or
the participant’s prospects of improvement or rehabilitation.
The participant’s participation in the scheme may be suspended for all or part of the period the participant is absent from Australia.
If the agency decides to suspend the participant’s participation, the agency must give the participant an information notice for the decision.
The information notice—
must state the period of the suspension; and
may state that the period of suspension starts on the day the person left Australia, even if the information notice is given after that day.
For part 4 , division 3 , the participant is taken not to be a participant in the scheme for the period of the suspension.
This section applies subject to section 14 (6) .
(sec.52-ssec.1) The agency may suspend the participant’s participation in the scheme if— the agency is satisfied the participant has left Australia for more than 3 consecutive months; and either of the following applies— a claim has not been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury; a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury, but the insurer has denied liability on the claim or has been held by a court not to be liable for the participant’s injury.
(sec.52-ssec.2) Also, the agency may suspend the participant’s participation in the scheme if the agency considers that the participant’s absence from Australia will, or is likely to, adversely affect— the participant’s condition as a result of the participant’s injury; or the participant’s prospects of improvement or rehabilitation.
(sec.52-ssec.3) The participant’s participation in the scheme may be suspended for all or part of the period the participant is absent from Australia.
(sec.52-ssec.4) If the agency decides to suspend the participant’s participation, the agency must give the participant an information notice for the decision.
(sec.52-ssec.5) The information notice— must state the period of the suspension; and may state that the period of suspension starts on the day the person left Australia, even if the information notice is given after that day.
(sec.52-ssec.6) For part 4 , division 3 , the participant is taken not to be a participant in the scheme for the period of the suspension.
(sec.52-ssec.7) This section applies subject to section 14 (6) .
(a) the agency is satisfied the participant has left Australia for more than 3 consecutive months; and
(b) either of the following applies— (i) a claim has not been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury; (ii) a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury, but the insurer has denied liability on the claim or has been held by a court not to be liable for the participant’s injury.
(i) a claim has not been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury;
(ii) a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury, but the insurer has denied liability on the claim or has been held by a court not to be liable for the participant’s injury.
(i) a claim has not been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury;
(ii) a claim has been made against an insurer for the participant’s injury, but the insurer has denied liability on the claim or has been held by a court not to be liable for the participant’s injury.
(a) the participant’s condition as a result of the participant’s injury; or
(b) the participant’s prospects of improvement or rehabilitation.
(a) must state the period of the suspension; and
(b) may state that the period of suspension starts on the day the person left Australia, even if the information notice is given after that day.
ch.2-pt.7
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
sec.53
Requirement to notify of claim
sec.53 Requirement to notify of claim
This section applies if—
a person makes an application in relation to a serious personal injury and, before the application is decided, a claim is made for the injury; or
a person makes a claim for a participant’s injury after the participant is accepted into the scheme.
Within 14 days of making the claim, the person must give the agency notice stating—
that the person has made the claim; and
the day the claim was made; and
the insurer against whom the claim has been made.
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.
(sec.53-ssec.1) This section applies if— a person makes an application in relation to a serious personal injury and, before the application is decided, a claim is made for the injury; or a person makes a claim for a participant’s injury after the participant is accepted into the scheme.
(sec.53-ssec.2) Within 14 days of making the claim, the person must give the agency notice stating— that the person has made the claim; and the day the claim was made; and the insurer against whom the claim has been made. Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.
(a) a person makes an application in relation to a serious personal injury and, before the application is decided, a claim is made for the injury; or
(b) a person makes a claim for a participant’s injury after the participant is accepted into the scheme.
(a) that the person has made the claim; and
(b) the day the claim was made; and
(c) the insurer against whom the claim has been made.
sec.54
Electronic applications
sec.54 Electronic applications
Without limiting the Electronic Transactions (Queensland) Act 2001 , a person is taken to have complied with the requirements for making an application stated in section 19 (1) (a) and (b) if the person—
gives the information required on the approved form by a method acceptable to the agency; and
gives the agency any information that must, under section 19 (1) (b) , be included in or accompany the application within the reasonable period decided by the agency.
If the person’s signature is required on the approved form, the requirement is met if—
a method is used to identify the person and to indicate the person’s approval of the information given under subsection (1) ; and
having regard to all the relevant circumstances when the method was used, the method was as reliable as was appropriate for the purposes for which the information was communicated; and
the agency consents to the requirement being met by using the method mentioned in paragraph (a) .
(sec.54-ssec.1) Without limiting the Electronic Transactions (Queensland) Act 2001 , a person is taken to have complied with the requirements for making an application stated in section 19 (1) (a) and (b) if the person— gives the information required on the approved form by a method acceptable to the agency; and gives the agency any information that must, under section 19 (1) (b) , be included in or accompany the application within the reasonable period decided by the agency.
(sec.54-ssec.2) If the person’s signature is required on the approved form, the requirement is met if— a method is used to identify the person and to indicate the person’s approval of the information given under subsection (1) ; and having regard to all the relevant circumstances when the method was used, the method was as reliable as was appropriate for the purposes for which the information was communicated; and the agency consents to the requirement being met by using the method mentioned in paragraph (a) .
(a) gives the information required on the approved form by a method acceptable to the agency; and
(b) gives the agency any information that must, under section 19 (1) (b) , be included in or accompany the application within the reasonable period decided by the agency.
(a) a method is used to identify the person and to indicate the person’s approval of the information given under subsection (1) ; and
(b) having regard to all the relevant circumstances when the method was used, the method was as reliable as was appropriate for the purposes for which the information was communicated; and
(c) the agency consents to the requirement being met by using the method mentioned in paragraph (a) .
ch.3-pt.1
Establishment, functions and powers
Establishment, functions and powers
ch.3-pt.1-div.1
Establishment of agency
Establishment of agency
sec.55
Establishment
sec.55 Establishment
The National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland is established.
The agency is governed by the chief executive officer.
s 55 amd 2021 No. 12 s 160
(sec.55-ssec.1) The National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland is established.
(sec.55-ssec.2) The agency is governed by the chief executive officer.
sec.56
Legal status
sec.56 Legal status
The agency—
is a body corporate; and
has perpetual succession; and
may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(a) is a body corporate; and
(b) has perpetual succession; and
(c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
sec.57
Relationship with State
sec.57 Relationship with State
The agency represents the State.
Without limiting subsection (1) , the agency has the status, privileges and immunities of the State.
(sec.57-ssec.1) The agency represents the State.
(sec.57-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , the agency has the status, privileges and immunities of the State.
ch.3-pt.1-div.2
Functions and powers
Functions and powers
sec.58
Functions
sec.58 Functions
The main functions of the agency are to—
administer the scheme; and
provide information to the community about the scheme; and
monitor and review the operation of the scheme, including the treatment, care and support received by participants under the scheme; and
conduct research and collect statistics about the scheme; and
give advice and information to the Treasurer and the commission about the administration, efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme; and
provide support and funding for programs, research and education relevant to the treatment, care and support of participants in the scheme; and
manage the fund; and
set investment objectives for the fund or part of the fund and establish investment strategies and policies to achieve the objectives; and
keep a register of providers of services under the scheme.
The agency’s functions also include any other function given to it under this Act or another Act.
The agency may appoint an entity to perform, or advise the agency about performing, the function under subsection (1) (h) .
An entity appointed under subsection (3) must be—
an entity nominated by the Treasurer; or
if the Treasurer has not nominated an entity—the advisory board known as the State Investment Advisory Board established under the Queensland Treasury Corporation Act 1988 , section 10 .
s 58 amd 2021 No. 12 s 161
(sec.58-ssec.1) The main functions of the agency are to— administer the scheme; and provide information to the community about the scheme; and monitor and review the operation of the scheme, including the treatment, care and support received by participants under the scheme; and conduct research and collect statistics about the scheme; and give advice and information to the Treasurer and the commission about the administration, efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme; and provide support and funding for programs, research and education relevant to the treatment, care and support of participants in the scheme; and manage the fund; and set investment objectives for the fund or part of the fund and establish investment strategies and policies to achieve the objectives; and keep a register of providers of services under the scheme.
(sec.58-ssec.2) The agency’s functions also include any other function given to it under this Act or another Act.
(sec.58-ssec.3) The agency may appoint an entity to perform, or advise the agency about performing, the function under subsection (1) (h) .
(sec.58-ssec.4) An entity appointed under subsection (3) must be— an entity nominated by the Treasurer; or if the Treasurer has not nominated an entity—the advisory board known as the State Investment Advisory Board established under the Queensland Treasury Corporation Act 1988 , section 10 .
(a) administer the scheme; and
(b) provide information to the community about the scheme; and
(c) monitor and review the operation of the scheme, including the treatment, care and support received by participants under the scheme; and
(d) conduct research and collect statistics about the scheme; and
(e) give advice and information to the Treasurer and the commission about the administration, efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme; and
(f) provide support and funding for programs, research and education relevant to the treatment, care and support of participants in the scheme; and
(g) manage the fund; and
(h) set investment objectives for the fund or part of the fund and establish investment strategies and policies to achieve the objectives; and
(i) keep a register of providers of services under the scheme.
(a) an entity nominated by the Treasurer; or
(b) if the Treasurer has not nominated an entity—the advisory board known as the State Investment Advisory Board established under the Queensland Treasury Corporation Act 1988 , section 10 .
sec.59
General principles for performing functions
sec.59 General principles for performing functions
In performing its functions under this Act, the agency must have regard to the following principles—
participants in the scheme should be assisted to set and achieve individual goals;
participants should be supported to maximise independence, participation in the community and employment;
participants should be encouraged, and given the opportunity, to take part in decision-making and exercise choice and control;
the dignity and rights of participants is to be respected;
identifying effective treatment, care and support for a participant requires collaboration and open communication between the participant, the agency, the participant’s family and caregivers, and service providers;
the level of treatment, care and support received by participants under the scheme is to—
be evidence-based; and
reflect community expectations; and
provide value for money;
as far as possible, the scheme is to be managed in a way that ensures its operation is financially sustainable.
Subsection (1) does not limit the matters the agency may have regard to in performing its functions.
(sec.59-ssec.1) In performing its functions under this Act, the agency must have regard to the following principles— participants in the scheme should be assisted to set and achieve individual goals; participants should be supported to maximise independence, participation in the community and employment; participants should be encouraged, and given the opportunity, to take part in decision-making and exercise choice and control; the dignity and rights of participants is to be respected; identifying effective treatment, care and support for a participant requires collaboration and open communication between the participant, the agency, the participant’s family and caregivers, and service providers; the level of treatment, care and support received by participants under the scheme is to— be evidence-based; and reflect community expectations; and provide value for money; as far as possible, the scheme is to be managed in a way that ensures its operation is financially sustainable.
(sec.59-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not limit the matters the agency may have regard to in performing its functions.
(a) participants in the scheme should be assisted to set and achieve individual goals;
(b) participants should be supported to maximise independence, participation in the community and employment;
(c) participants should be encouraged, and given the opportunity, to take part in decision-making and exercise choice and control;
(d) the dignity and rights of participants is to be respected;
(e) identifying effective treatment, care and support for a participant requires collaboration and open communication between the participant, the agency, the participant’s family and caregivers, and service providers;
(f) the level of treatment, care and support received by participants under the scheme is to— (i) be evidence-based; and (ii) reflect community expectations; and (iii) provide value for money;
(i) be evidence-based; and
(ii) reflect community expectations; and
(iii) provide value for money;
(g) as far as possible, the scheme is to be managed in a way that ensures its operation is financially sustainable.
(i) be evidence-based; and
(ii) reflect community expectations; and
(iii) provide value for money;
sec.60
Agency may agree to perform functions of support entity
sec.60 Agency may agree to perform functions of support entity
The agency may enter into an agreement with a support entity that provides for the agency to perform a function of the entity under a care and support scheme law.
The agreement may deal with any matter necessary or convenient to help the agency perform the function of the support entity, including, for example—
how the performance of the function is to be funded; and
arrangements for sharing information that is relevant to the performance of the function.
If an agreement is entered into with a support entity, the agency may, subject to the agreement, perform the function of the entity stated in the agreement.
In this section—
care and support scheme law means an Act, or a law of the Commonwealth or another State, that provides for—
a scheme that is substantially the same as, or similar to, the scheme; or
a scheme for the payment of compensation, or providing other care and support, to persons who have suffered injury, whether or not the injury was caused by an incident involving a prescribed vehicle.
support entity means an entity that has functions under a care and support scheme law, including functions under a contract of insurance required, or provided for, by a care and support scheme law.
(sec.60-ssec.1) The agency may enter into an agreement with a support entity that provides for the agency to perform a function of the entity under a care and support scheme law.
(sec.60-ssec.2) The agreement may deal with any matter necessary or convenient to help the agency perform the function of the support entity, including, for example— how the performance of the function is to be funded; and arrangements for sharing information that is relevant to the performance of the function.
(sec.60-ssec.3) If an agreement is entered into with a support entity, the agency may, subject to the agreement, perform the function of the entity stated in the agreement.
(sec.60-ssec.4) In this section— care and support scheme law means an Act, or a law of the Commonwealth or another State, that provides for— a scheme that is substantially the same as, or similar to, the scheme; or a scheme for the payment of compensation, or providing other care and support, to persons who have suffered injury, whether or not the injury was caused by an incident involving a prescribed vehicle. support entity means an entity that has functions under a care and support scheme law, including functions under a contract of insurance required, or provided for, by a care and support scheme law.
(a) how the performance of the function is to be funded; and
(b) arrangements for sharing information that is relevant to the performance of the function.
(a) a scheme that is substantially the same as, or similar to, the scheme; or
(b) a scheme for the payment of compensation, or providing other care and support, to persons who have suffered injury, whether or not the injury was caused by an incident involving a prescribed vehicle.
sec.61
Powers
sec.61 Powers
The agency has all the powers of an individual and may, for example—
enter into contracts; and
acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and
employ staff; and
appoint agents and attorneys; and
engage consultants; and
do anything else necessary or convenient to be done in the performance of its functions.
The agency also has the powers given to it under this Act or another Act.
(sec.61-ssec.1) The agency has all the powers of an individual and may, for example— enter into contracts; and acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and employ staff; and appoint agents and attorneys; and engage consultants; and do anything else necessary or convenient to be done in the performance of its functions.
(sec.61-ssec.2) The agency also has the powers given to it under this Act or another Act.
(a) enter into contracts; and
(b) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; and
(c) employ staff; and
(d) appoint agents and attorneys; and
(e) engage consultants; and
(f) do anything else necessary or convenient to be done in the performance of its functions.
sec.62
Performing functions and exercising powers outside Queensland
sec.62 Performing functions and exercising powers outside Queensland
The agency may perform its functions, or exercise its powers, inside or outside Queensland, including outside Australia.
ch.3-pt.1-div.3
Administration
Administration
sec.63
Staff of agency
sec.63 Staff of agency
The agency may employ staff it considers appropriate to perform its functions.
Staff are employed under this Act and not the Public Sector Act 2022 .
s 63 amd 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3
(sec.63-ssec.1) The agency may employ staff it considers appropriate to perform its functions.
(sec.63-ssec.2) Staff are employed under this Act and not the Public Sector Act 2022 .
sec.64
Delegation
sec.64 Delegation
The agency may delegate the agency’s functions or powers under this Act to an appropriately qualified person who is—
the chief executive officer; or
an employee of the agency; or
a person who performs work for the agency under a contractual or other arrangement; or
an employee of an entity that performs work for the agency under a contractual or other arrangement.
s 64 sub 2021 No. 12 s 162
(a) the chief executive officer; or
(b) an employee of the agency; or
(c) a person who performs work for the agency under a contractual or other arrangement; or
(d) an employee of an entity that performs work for the agency under a contractual or other arrangement.
sec.65
Advisory committees
sec.65 Advisory committees
The agency may establish 1 or more advisory committees to advise the agency on the performance of the agency’s functions under this Act.
The matters an advisory committee may advise on are to be decided by the agency, with the approval of the Minister.
An advisory committee consists of the persons appointed by the Minister on the agency’s recommendation.
The members of an advisory committee hold office on the terms decided by the Minister.
(sec.65-ssec.1) The agency may establish 1 or more advisory committees to advise the agency on the performance of the agency’s functions under this Act.
(sec.65-ssec.2) The matters an advisory committee may advise on are to be decided by the agency, with the approval of the Minister.
(sec.65-ssec.3) An advisory committee consists of the persons appointed by the Minister on the agency’s recommendation.
(sec.65-ssec.4) The members of an advisory committee hold office on the terms decided by the Minister.
ch.3-pt.2
ch.3-pt.2-div.1
More sections below
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
ch.1-pt.1 Introduction
Introduction
sec.1 Short title
sec.1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Injury Insurance Scheme (Queensland) Act 2016 .
sec.2 Commencement
sec.2 Commencement
The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation—
chapter 4 , part 2 ;
chapter 10 , part 1 and part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 3 .
The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 July 2016.
(sec.2-ssec.1) The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation— chapter 4 , part 2 ; chapter 10 , part 1 and part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 3 .
(sec.2-ssec.2) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 July 2016.
(a) chapter 4 , part 2 ;
(b) chapter 10 , part 1 and part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 3 .
ch.1-pt.2 Purpose and application
Purpose and application
sec.3 Purpose of Act and achieving purpose
sec.3 Purpose of Act and achieving purpose
The purpose of this Act is to ensure that persons who suffer particular serious personal injuries as a result of a motor accident in Queensland receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support, regardless of fault.
The purpose is achieved by establishing—
a national injury insurance scheme, Queensland for—
assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and
making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
a National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland to administer the scheme; and
a national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland.
(sec.3-ssec.1) The purpose of this Act is to ensure that persons who suffer particular serious personal injuries as a result of a motor accident in Queensland receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support, regardless of fault.
(sec.3-ssec.2) The purpose is achieved by establishing— a national injury insurance scheme, Queensland for— assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and a National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland to administer the scheme; and a national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland.
(a) a national injury insurance scheme, Queensland for— (i) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and (ii) making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
(i) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and
establishes internal and external administrative review routes, including an internal review process and external review via QCAT, and a specialist medical-tribunal track for medical questions that is final (chs 6, secs 112-126);
establishes governance, reporting and financial oversight for the agency, including quarterly and annual reporting, strategic and operational plans that require Treasurer agreement, and Treasurer powers to direct the agency (chs 3-4; ss 86-91; s 136).
The Act explicitly cross‑links with other statutes: Insurance Act provisions on CTP, the Civil Liability Act on damages for treatment, Hospital and Health Boards Act for public sector health services, Transport Operations for the definition of road/public place, Workers’ Compensation Act procedures where a medical tribunal is used, and financial statutes for the agency’s status (see s 4, s 9, ss 41-44, ss 113-116, s 85). The levy that funds the scheme is fixed by regulation following actuarial calculations and recommendations from the agency and the commission (ss 97-99).
The official rationale expressed in the Act is to ensure persons suffering particular serious injuries from motor accidents receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support regardless of fault (s 3). The legislation implements that objective by creating institutions (agency, fund), processes (assessment, support plans, funding/requests), finance mechanisms (levy, Treasurer-decided payments, insurer‑related transfers) and dispute resolution (internal review, medical tribunal, QCAT). The Act also creates practical duties (application and notification obligations, consent to information exchange, registered‑provider requirements for certain services), and offences for fraud and false or misleading information (ss 53, 50, 132-133). These mechanics prescribe who pays (levy, insurer contributions, Treasurer transfers), who decides (agency, CEO, Treasurer directions for some matters), and how private behaviour , e.g. making a claim against an insurer, applying to the agency, or preserving rights to damages , interacts with the publicly administered funding (see ss 19, 20, 41-44).
Main concepts
Purpose and no‑fault design. The Act’s stated purpose is to ensure people with certain serious injuries from motor accidents receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support regardless of fault (s 3). That objective is implemented through a statutory agency, a fund, and payment mechanisms targeted at treatment, care and support needs (s 3; s 33).
Scope and eligibility. The Act applies to serious personal injury resulting from motor accidents involving a “prescribed vehicle” (s 4; s 7). A prescribed vehicle is defined to include motor vehicles and trailers covered by CTP insurance, vehicles owned by self‑insurers, and vehicles to which nominal defendant schemes would apply (s 7). The Act excludes uninsured vehicles in many circumstances and excludes certain classes of machinery or non‑road uses unless the incident occurred on a road or public place (s 4). Eligibility for scheme participation requires the injury to meet eligibility criteria prescribed by regulation (s 12). If a person has already been awarded damages for treatment, care and support under a final judgment or binding settlement, and those damages were paid other than by agency payment under s 44(3)(a), the person is not eligible (s 12(2).
Treatment, care and support definitions and exclusions. “Treatment, care and support needs” are defined broadly and include medical/pharmaceutical treatment, rehabilitation, ambulance, respite and attendant care, aids and appliances (excluding ordinary household items), prosthesis, education or vocational training, and home/transport modifications (s 8). “Excluded treatment, care and support” includes services provided without charge, ordinary child‑raising costs for child participants, services that must be provided by registered providers but are delivered by unregistered persons, medical trials/experimental services, public sector health services, certain emergency services, and items prescribed by regulation (s 9). For services that must be provided by a registered provider, the Act specifies attendant care personal assistance services and any other prescribed services (s 9(2)).
Needs assessment, support plans and service requests. After acceptance, the agency must assess each participant’s treatment, care and support needs and, after the first assessment, prepare a support plan recording the assessment outcomes and the agency’s view of necessary and reasonable needs and other services it considers should be funded (ss 25-26). Service requests allow participants or others to seek agency funding for specific services for particular periods; the agency must assess and decide service requests taking account of whether the service relates to the participant’s injury and whether the needs are necessary and reasonable (ss 28-31).
Payments: three mechanisms. The Act sets out three mechanisms for payments (s 33):
funding agreements: the agency may enter agreements to pay amounts covering expenses to be incurred in a stated period for a participant (s 34);
payment requests: persons who incur expenses for a participant’s treatment, care or support may request payment within 6 months (s 35), with agency assessment, approval and payment requirements (ss 36-39); and
agency contribution to insurer liability for damages: for lifetime participants who give a preservation notice the agency can be liable to contribute towards an insurer’s liability for treatment, care and support damages; and the Act provides a pathway for acceptance or rejection of awarded damages with consequential effects on ongoing participation (ss 40-44).
Reviews, dispute channels and a specialist medical route. The Act establishes a mandatory internal review process as a prerequisite to external review by QCAT (chs 6, ss 105-111). For medical matters (medical causation, medical eligibility criteria, and similar), an internal review decision can be referred to a medical tribunal; the tribunal’s decision is final and not reviewable by QCAT (ss 112-124). The medical tribunal process contains special rules: only the injured person (or the injured person’s representative) may be present or heard (s 119), and tribunal composition must exclude agency or insurer employees (s 114).
Governance, finance and oversight. The agency is a body corporate governed by a chief executive officer (ss 55-56, 81-84). It represents the State and has the State’s privileges and immunities (s 57). The agency must manage the fund, seek actuarial advice, set investment objectives, keep a register of providers, and report quarterly and annually to the Treasurer; strategic and operational plans must be prepared for the Treasurer’s agreement (ss 58, 86-91, 93). The levy that feeds the fund is fixed by regulation (s 99) after the agency’s actuarial calculations and recommendations and the commission’s recommendation (ss 97-98). The Treasurer can direct the agency or CEO about the performance of functions or exercise of powers (s 136), and can decide transfers from the nominal defendant fund and require licensed insurers to pay amounts on actuarial advice (ss 95-96).
Enforcement, recovery and penalties. The agency has recovery rights where there has been fraud or where insurers/nominal defendant law gives recovery rights (ss 100-102). The Act contains criminal and summary offences (fraud, misleading the agency) with stated maximum penalties and time limits for proceedings (ss 132-134). The Act binds all persons including the State, but the State and other governments cannot be prosecuted for an offence under the Act (s 5).
Regulation‑making and delegated detail. The Act leaves many practical matters to regulations: eligibility criteria, contribution calculations for buy‑ins, levy fixing and rebates, registration and provider terms, and other operational details (see s 12, s 13, s 99, s 140). Several processes depend on timelines or definitions stated in regulation (for example, the “eligibility criteria,” the levy amount and the form of certain regulatory prescriptions).
Incentive mechanics and friction points to note. The Act creates incentives and trade‑offs embedded in its mechanics: (i) participants can preserve rights to damages (s 41), but doing so triggers agency contribution mechanics and potential extinguishment of insurer liability and changes to the participant’s status (ss 42-44); (ii) the agency controls what is “necessary and reasonable” and can exclude services via the excluded services rules and the registered‑provider requirement (s 9, s 15); (iii) costs are distributed by a levy process that is regulated and actuarially informed, and the Treasurer and commission have formal roles in setting the levy (ss 97-99); (iv) the Act limits insurer participation in medical‑tribunal processes (s 119), which affects insurers’ ability to contest medical causation in that forum; and (v) many practical definitions and processes are delegated to regulation, leaving implementation detail to the executive. These mechanics change the distribution of decision authority, the timing and content of information flows, and the allocation of costs between public funds, insurers and levy payers.
Who it affects
Injured persons and participants. Primary beneficiaries are persons who suffer serious personal injuries from motor accidents that fall within the Act’s coverage and who meet eligibility criteria (ss 3, 4, 12). Applicants, interim participants, lifetime participants and buy‑in participants are different participation categories with distinct rights and obligations (s 14). Participants face duties: to provide medical information when required, to give notices about claims and absences (ss 21, 50, 53), and, if they wish to preserve rights to damages, to give preservation notices within prescribed periods (s 41). Participants accepted as lifetime participants who preserve rights to damages engage the agency’s contribution regime and must follow acceptance rules if awarded damages (ss 41-44).
Insurers, licensed insurers and claim managers. Private motor accident insurers are affected in multiple ways. The agency must notify insurers when non‑insurer applicants notify a pending, non‑finalised claim (s 20), and insurers can themselves make applications for particular injured persons (s 18). Insurers may face recovery and contribution regimes: the agency may be liable to contribute towards an insurer’s liability if a participant gives a preservation notice (s 42); conversely, the agency may recover from insurers or from insureds in particular circumstances and may require licensed insurers to pay amounts based on actuarial advice (s 96). The Act ties into the Insurance Act for claim management (see s 11 referencing Insurance Act s 38, and ss 101-102 applying insurance recovery provisions).
Vehicle owners, self‑insurers and nominal defendant arrangements. The scheme only applies in relation to “prescribed vehicles” as defined (s 7). Self‑insurers who are registered owners are captured (s 7(c)). Nominal defendant schemes are explicitly included for trailers and certain vehicles (s 7(e)). Owners and drivers whose wrongful acts caused injuries may be subject to recovery by the agency to the same extent as insurers or the nominal defendant (s 101). For interstate vehicles, the agency may recover from the interstate CTP insurer where the owner/driver is liable (s 102).
Health and service providers. Providers of care, rehabilitation and supports will be affected by operator registration or provider requirements for certain services (s 9(2) imposes registered‑provider requirements for particular attendant care services and for other prescribed treatments). The agency must keep a register of providers (s 58(1)(i)). Funding agreements (s 34) and payment requests (s 35) create revenue pathways for providers. Public hospitals, ambulance services and fire services are recipients of amounts paid from the fund decided by the Treasurer to cover reasonable proportions of estimated costs (s 94).
Treasurer, commission and state entities. The Treasurer has active roles: receiving quarterly and immediate reports, agreeing strategic and operational plans, receiving the commission’s recommendation on the levy and directing the agency or CEO (ss 86-91, 97-99, 136). The commission (not fully defined in the excerpt, but referenced as a decision actor) receives the agency’s calculations and recommends the levy (s 98). State departments providing public hospital and emergency services receive fund payments decided by the Treasurer (s 94).
Legal representatives and tribunals. Applicants will commonly be represented; internal review and QCAT review pathways are available (chs 6, ss 105-111, 127). For medical issues, the Act creates a medical tribunal process that only permits the injured person (or the person’s representative) to be present or heard; the agency and insurers cannot be present in that forum (s 119). QCAT provides external review but cannot re‑decide a matter until the medical tribunal has decided medical matters (s 129).
Employers and workers’ compensation structures. Where medical tribunal processes are used, the Act borrows forms and processes from the Workers’ Compensation Act (ss 113-116), affecting how medical evidence and examinations are obtained and used.
Providers of alternative scheme functions and support entities. The agency may enter agreements with support entities under other care and support laws to perform functions (s 60). That affects entities operating under other States’ schemes or Commonwealth law where functions are substantially the same (s 60(4)).
Other affected parties. Doctors who may be nominated by medical tribunals to examine participants (s 115), courts (for sanctioning preservation notices where participants are persons under legal disability, s 41), and state entities and boards (agency representation of the State, s 57) are also implicated. Employers or other persons judged to have caused injury may face recovery claims by the agency (ss 101-102).
Who pays. The fund is financed through the levy fixed by regulation (ss 97-99), amounts derived or recovered by the agency (s 93(2)(b)), income on fund investments (s 93(2)(c)), Treasurer transfers from the nominal defendant fund (s 95) and amounts paid under s 96 (insurer premium‑related payments). Treasurer decisions determine annual contributions to public hospital and emergency services from the fund (s 94).
Administrative and compliance actors. The Act creates several ongoing administrative duties: the agency’s actuarial calculations and recommendations (s 97), the commission’s recommendations (s 98), the CEO’s reporting duties (ss 86-88), and provider registration and record keeping (s 58, s 121). The agency’s staff are employed under the Act, not under the Public Sector Act (s 63), which affects employment arrangements and governance.
Key duties and rights
Agency duties and participant rights. The agency must administer the scheme, assess participant needs and make support plans after initial assessment, and may fund services by funding agreements, payment requests and contributions (ss 25-26, 33-34, 35-37, 42). It must consult the participant “to the extent practicable” in assessments and consider participant goals, abilities and limitations (s 25(2)). The agency must give participants copies of support plans and decisions and attach information notices in prescribed cases (ss 26, 31, 23). The agency must manage the fund giving consideration to financial sustainability and actuarial advice (s 93(4)) and maintain quarterly and annual reporting to the Treasurer including actuarial evidence of funding adequacy (ss 86, 89).
Participant duties and entitlements. Applicants have the right to apply for participation (s 16) and a right to have an application accepted if made within one year of the accident (s 16(2)). Participants have rights to assessments, support plans and funding for “necessary and reasonable” treatment, care and support (ss 25-26, 15). Participants must permit information exchange as part of an application when the application is made by someone other than an insurer (s 19(3)). Participants have duties to notify the agency when they or their representatives make a claim against an insurer (s 53) and must notify the agency of overseas absence at least 1 month before leaving (s 50), with a maximum penalty for non‑compliance of 10 penalty units (s 50(1)). Participants who want to preserve rights to damages must give a preservation notice within tightly expressed windows (s 41).
Provider duties and rights. Certain services must be provided by registered providers; where this is prescribed by regulation the Act requires registration for specified attendant care services and any other prescribed care (s 9(2)). Providers may receive payment via funding agreements (s 34) or via payment requests where they incur expenses for a participant and satisfy time and evidentiary rules (s 35). The agency must pay approved payment requests within 28 days of approval (s 37(4)), subject to prescribed limits for costs within Australia or the average cost for services outside Australia (s 37(5)).
Insurer duties and rights. Insurers who are claim managers or insurers against whom claims have been made are entitled to notice of applications and decisions in some circumstances (s 20, s 23). If insurers make an application for an injured person, they must give a copy to the person (s 18(2)). When a participant gives a preservation notice, the agency becomes liable to contribute towards the insurer’s liability on the claim (s 42). The agency may stop being liable to contribute where a court finds contributory negligence reducing damages by 50% or more, where the preservation notice is not sanctioned by the court (s 42), where a court orders the participant be prevented from being awarded damages (s 43), or where the participant withdraws a preservation notice (s 42(2)(d)).
Treasurer’s and Commission’s duties and powers. The agency must supply actuarial calculations and a levy recommendation to the commission at least five months before the financial year ends (s 97). The commission must recommend a levy at least four months before the financial year ends (s 98). The levy itself is fixed by regulation (s 99). The Treasurer decides payments from the fund to public hospital and emergency services each year (s 94), may transfer amounts from the nominal defendant fund (s 95), may decide amounts payable by licensed insurers based on actuarial advice (s 96), and may issue written directions to the agency or CEO about performance of functions and exercise of powers (s 136). The agency must comply with Treasurer directions (s 136(3)).
Decision timelines, information requests and procedural duties. The Act establishes multiple procedural timelines:
information requests by the agency must be made within 28 days after receipt of applications, service requests or payment requests (ss 21, 29, 36, 108), and must set an information‑due day at least 10 days after the request for payment requests (s 36(3));
the agency must make decisions within a “decision-making period” for applications, service requests and payment requests; the agency may extend the application decision-making period once by up to 28 days with notice stating reasons (ss 22(7)-(9), 31(2), 37(1));
an internal review must be decided within a defined decision period of 28 days after receiving the internal review application or, where an information request is made, 28 days after the requested information is given (s 109(7));
service and payment request failures to decide within the decision‑making period are taken to be refusals, entitling affected persons to information notices (ss 24, 32, 39).
Review and tribunal procedural duties. The agency must review internal review decisions if a medical tribunal makes a decision inconsistent with an internal review decision and must make a new internal review decision (s 126). The agency must refer medical matters to a medical tribunal on referral request (s 113) and must include copies of all documents relevant to the medical matter with the reference (s 113(2)(b)). The medical tribunal must keep a record of relevant exchanged documents and reasons for decision (s 121).
Offences, fraud control and recovery. There are criminal and summary offence provisions: fraud and deliberate misleading the agency are punishable by up to 400 penalty units or 18 months imprisonment (s 132); false or misleading information in relation to administration of the Act carries a maximum of 150 units or 1 year’s imprisonment (s 133); other penalties (including regulation breaches) may be prescribed up to 20 units (s 140). The agency may recover costs as a debt from people who defraud the agency (s 100) and exercise recovery rights analogous to insurer and nominal defendant recovery rights under the Insurance Act against persons in default (s 101).
Statutory immunities and State representation. The agency represents the State and has the status, privileges and immunities of the State (s 57). The Act binds the State but explicitly exempts the State, Commonwealth or another State from prosecution under the Act (s 5).
Delegations and delegatory duties. The agency may delegate functions or powers to the CEO, agency employees or contracted persons (s 64). The CEO is responsible for managing the agency and ensuring proper performance (s 84). The Treasurer may require the CEO to report and the CEO must comply (s 88).
Regulation‑dependent duties. Several duties are deferred to regulation: the content of eligibility criteria (s 12), rules for buy‑ins including contribution calculation and consequences (s 13), levy fixation timing and rebates (s 99, s 140), and provider registration and funding agreement terms (s 34, s 9). Those delegations mean key operational duties will be specified outside the Act.
Penalties and enforcement
Criminal and summary offences. The Act contains provisions criminalising fraudulent and deliberately misleading conduct related to the agency’s administration. Section 132 makes it an offence to defraud or attempt to defraud the agency, to deliberately mislead or attempt to mislead the agency, or to connive at such conduct; the maximum penalty is 400 penalty units or 18 months imprisonment (s 132(1)). Section 133 makes it an offence to give the agency information the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular in relation to the Act’s administration, punishable by up to 150 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment (s 133(1)). Section 133(2) provides a narrow safe harbour where the person, in the document, states how the document is false or misleading and, if they have or can obtain the correct information, supplies it.
Summary offence classification and time limits. The Act classifies offences against it as summary offences (s 134(1)). Proceedings must be started within 1 year after commission of the offence, or within 6 months after the offence comes to the complainant’s knowledge, but in any event within 2 years of commission (s 134(2)). Section 135 provides evidentiary assistance by deeming a complainant’s stated day of knowledge as evidence the matter came to the complainant’s attention on that day.
Administrative enforcement and review. Many administrative decisions require information notices or decision notices and are subject to mandatory internal review as a precondition to external review by QCAT (ss 105-111, 127). For applications, service requests and payment requests, statutory timeframes apply and failure to decide within the decision‑making period is taken to be a refusal (ss 24, 32, 39). Information notices must be given in prescribed sets of circumstances (ss 23, 31(3), 38).
Debt recovery and civil enforcement. The agency has civil recovery powers: it may recover as a debt costs reasonably incurred from a person who defrauds or attempts to defraud the agency (s 100). The agency may exercise the same rights of recovery against persons as insurers or the nominal defendant have under specified Insurance Act sections for the present value of the agency’s treatment, care and support liabilities (s 101). Recovery against persons is only available where the participant’s injury was caused wholly or partly by a wrongful act or omission of the person and the section does not give a right of recovery against the participant (s 101(3)). For interstate vehicles covered by another State’s CTP policy where the owner or driver is liable, the agency may recover as a debt from that insurer the present value of the agency’s liabilities (s 102).
Financial enforcement via levy and Treasurer powers. The fund is supplied by a levy fixed by regulation (s 99). The Act sets a multi‑stage process for setting the levy: actuarial calculations and a recommendation by the agency at least five months before the financial year ends (s 97), a commission recommendation no later than four months before financial year end (s 98), and formal fixation of the levy by regulation at least three months before the financial year if possible (s 99). The Treasurer can approve special increases on commission recommendation at any time (s 99(5)) and can direct the agency or CEO in writing about the performance of functions or exercise of powers (s 136), which the agency or CEO must obey. The Treasurer may also decide to transfer amounts from the nominal defendant fund to the scheme fund (s 95) and may decide amounts payable by licensed insurers on actuarial advice (s 96).
Administrative sanctions by suspension. Participation may be suspended in particular circumstances, for example where a participant leaves Australia for more than 3 months and no claim has been made (or insurer denied liability) or the absence adversely affects the participant’s condition (s 52). Suspension is an administrative measure that removes a person from participant status for the suspension period and affects entitlement to payments under part 4 division 3 (s 52(6)).
Penalties in regulations. The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing fees and may provide for a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units for contraventions of a regulation (s 140(2)). The Act therefore permits minor civil penalties by regulation for operational breaches.
Protections for tribunal members and State. Members of the medical tribunal are protected from civil liability for acts done honestly and without negligence under the Act, with any prevented liability attaching to the State instead (s 125). The Act binds the State but precludes prosecutions of the State, the Commonwealth or another State for offences under the Act (s 5).
Enforcement risks and practical constraints. Enforcement depends on (i) timely decision‑making by the agency and adherence to procedural notices and timeframes (which, if not met, operate as deemed refusals entitling review) (ss 22(7)-(9), 24, 32, 39), (ii) civil recovery actions under Insurance Act‑based mechanisms and ordinary debt recovery, and (iii) criminal prosecutions under the Act’s fraud/misleading provisions with statutory limitation periods (ss 100-102, 132-134). The Act gives the Treasurer and the agency significant centralised power to adjust funding and levy settings, and the agency is required to act with due regard to actuarial advice (ss 93, 97-99), which is the fiscal control point for the scheme.
How it interacts with other laws
Insurance Act and CTP regime. The Act repeatedly cross‑references the Insurance Act in defining “prescribed vehicle” and in specifying insurer‑related interface points. A prescribed vehicle includes those covered by a CTP insurance policy or vehicles owned by self‑insurers (s 7). The Act references Insurance Act mechanisms for claims management (s 11 refers to the claim manager under Insurance Act s 38) and applies recovery rights akin to those available to insurers and the nominal defendant under the Insurance Act (s 101). The Treasurer may also transfer money from the nominal defendant fund under the Insurance Act to the scheme fund (s 95).
Civil Liability Act and damages law. For the awarding of damages in relation to a participant’s treatment, care and support needs, the Act directs users to the Civil Liability Act 2003, chapter 3, part 2A (s 42(1)). The Act creates a preservation/acceptance regime (ss 41-44) that changes how damages awarded under final judgment or settlement interface with agency payments: acceptance or refusal by the participant has direct legal effects on agency and insurer liability (s 44).
Transport Operations and definitions of road/public place. The Act adopts definitions of “road” and “public place” from the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 schedule 4 to determine geographical scope and exceptions for some vehicle categories (s 4(4)). That means the transport law’s definitions determine whether the scheme applies in some vehicle‑use contexts.
Hospital and Health Boards Act; Ambulance Service Act; Fire Services Act. The Act excludes services provided as part of a public sector health service as defined in the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 schedule 2 from scheme payments (s 9(1)(e)). The scheme fund must pay, as decided by the Treasurer, reasonable proportions of estimated costs of providing public hospital services and emergency services to people injured in motor accidents (s 94). Those interactions create funding flows from the scheme fund back into existing public health and emergency service budgets.
Workers’ Compensation Act. The medical tribunal referencing and processes are made in the form approved by the Regulator under the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Act adopts and adapts provisions such as section 510(1A)-(3) in relation to medical examinations under s 115 (ss 113-116). The Act excludes certain Workers’ Compensation Act chapter 11, part 4 procedures for tribunal proceedings in the scheme’s medical matters (s 116).
Guardianship and Administration Act / QCAT powers. Where participants are persons under a legal disability, the Act requires court sanction for a preservation notice and permits the court to exercise QCAT powers under the Guardianship and Administration Act (s 41(5)-(8)). The agency’s internal review and external QCAT review processes are conjoined with the QCAT Act rights (see ch 6 and s 127 cross‑reference to the QCAT Act).
Financial and public sector statutes. The agency is a statutory body under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 (s 85). Strategic and operational planning requirements in the Act prevail where inconsistent with the Financial Accountability Act (s 90). Agency staff are employed under this Act and not under the Public Sector Act 2022 (s 63), which affects employment and public sector governance relationships.
Civil Proceedings Act and sanctioning. The acceptance rules in s 44 explicitly operate despite certain Civil Proceedings Act provisions (s 44(7) states the section applies despite Civil Proceedings Act 2011 part 13). Court‑sanctioning duties for certain settlements (preservation notices, acceptance period timing, and sanctions for persons under a disability) are cross‑linked to court powers as reflected elsewhere in the Act (ss 41, 44).
Workers’ and medical privacy processes. The Act imposes structured disclosure and document exchange regimes for medical tribunal matters (ss 118-121) and limits who may appear and be heard before medical tribunals (s 119). The tribunal need not disclose new medical information it receives at hearing (s 120). These provisions create a particular evidence and privacy rule set distinct from ordinary civil litigation.
Regulatory delegations. The Act leaves numerous operational details to regulation (s 140): eligibility criteria, levy rebate/refund mechanisms, fees, provider registration rules, and other rules that affect substantive rights and duties (ss 12, 13, 34, 97-99). Consequently, implementation depends heavily on the content of subordinate instruments.
Takeaway on legal interactions. The Act is designed to sit alongside, and interact with, a suite of Queensland and Commonwealth statutes: it aligns with the CTP insurance regulatory framework, borrows medical‑evidence mechanics from workers’ compensation, feeds public health funding flows, and creates a distinct administrative and tribunal architecture for medical issues independent of QCAT (finality for medical tribunal decisions,s 123). The scheme intentionally reallocates some functions and financial responsibilities across the public fund, insurers, and other entities, using established legal frameworks for adjudication, recovery and financial oversight.
Amendment history
Express amendments recorded in the text. The text contains amendment annotations for multiple provisions:
s 55 (Establishment) annotated “amd 2021 No. 12 s 160” indicating an amendment in 2021 (s 55).
s 58 (Functions) annotated “s 58 amd 2021 No. 12 s 161”.
s 63 (Staff of agency) annotated “s 63 amd 2022 No. 34 s 365 sch 3”.
s 83 and s 82 contain amendment notes referencing 2021 and 2022 changes (s 81, s 82, s 83 showing “amd 2021 No. 12” and “2022 No. 34”).
s 9 (Excluded treatment, care and support) and s 94 (payments for public hospital services and emergency services) show annotation “s 9 amd 2024 No. 22 s 92 sch 1” and “s 94 amd 2024 No. 22 s 92 sch 1” indicating 2024 amendments.
Sections s 96, s 97-99 and various provisions are shown as amended or inserted in 2021 or 2022 in the text notes.
Transitional provisions. Chapter 9 provides transitional regimes for the Act’s early operation and for structural changes:
sections 142-149 set out transitional arrangements for the first board and chief executive officer, providing that the insurance commissioner constitutes the board and acts as the first CEO until permanent appointees are made (ss 142-148).
section 144 provides special timing for the agency’s first strategic and operational plans, which applies despite s 91 (s 144).
section 145 contains a transitional rule about the levy for 2016-2017, disapplying the usual timing rules in s 99 for that first financial year.
Commencement dates. Section 2 specifies commencement: most provisions commence on 1 July 2016, while particular provisions (chapter 4 part 2; chapter 10 part 1 and part 2 division 2 subdivision 3) commence on a day fixed by proclamation (s 2).
Expiry/expiry note. Section 138 is noted as expiring 1 July 2021 (s 138 exp 1 July 2021 (see s 138(3))). The text indicates certain sections were temporary and expired.
Agency governance amendments. The annotations reflect post‑enactment structural changes affecting agency governance and reporting (e.g. modifications to the CEO appointment, staff employment under this Act instead of Public Sector Act, and Treasurer oversight powers). Sections such as s 63 explicitly state staff are employed under this Act and not under the Public Sector Act 2022 (s 63(2)) reflecting newer public sector legislative context.
Regulatory amendments and future rules. The Act delegates significant operational matters to regulation (s 140). Some matters announced as amended in 2024 (s 9, s 94) show the law continues to evolve by subordinate instruments or amending Acts. The Act text itself records these changes; the substantive content of regulations and amending instruments will contain further operational detail. For compliance and legal work, practitioners must consult the consolidated Act as in force and the current Regulation schedules and any Treasurer directions and actuarial reports.
Limits of the provided amendment record. The printed Act text includes amendment marginalia for particular sections and insertion notes. No consolidated legislative instrument or list of amending Acts beyond the inline notes is supplied here. For tasks requiring temporal comparison or tracing specific legislative history, consult official legislative amendment instruments and the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel consolidated text.
Litigation history
No cases or judicial decisions are cited in the Act text provided. The Act itself cross‑references sections of other statutes that are applied by courts (for example, the Civil Liability Act for awarding damages, and the Insurance Act for claims handling and recovery), but the excerpt contains no named judicial decisions or reported litigation history. Where the Act contemplates court involvement it does so in procedural terms (court sanction for preservation notices for persons under legal disability, s 41(5)-(8); court orders under s 43), but no case law is referenced.
Practitioners should note:
the Act creates administrative and tribunal decision routes (internal review, medical tribunal, QCAT) and sets out finality for medical tribunal decisions (s 123), which may limit avenues for judicial review of medical matters. However, principles of judicial review (e.g. legality, natural justice) will continue to apply to administrative decisions, and court proceedings may be available in particular circumstances where statutory rights or obligations intersect with general law rights. The Act mandates internal review as a prerequisite for QCAT external review (s 105), and QCAT review is the primary external avenue specified.
the Act also contemplates court involvement where participants are persons under a legal disability (court sanction questions under s 41) and allows the agency to apply to court to prevent the participant from being awarded damages (s 43). These procedures necessarily engage substantive court processes described in the Act.
Because the Act establishes new administrative processes and interfaces with established statutory regimes (Insurance Act, Civil Liability Act, Workers’ Compensation Act, QCAT Act), litigation potentially arising from the Act will likely involve challenges to agency decisions, recovery claims under s 101, disputes about preservation notices and acceptance of damages under ss 41-44, and litigation where the agency exercises its recovery powers against persons in default. For litigators, the Act’s tribunal finality and tribunal confidentiality rules (ss 119-124) will be particularly salient.
Gotchas
Decision‑making periods undefined in excerpt. Multiple statutory duties require that decisions be made “within the decision‑making period” (for applications s 22(7); for service requests s 31(2); for payment requests s 37(1)) and that failure to decide within that period is treated as refusal (ss 24, 32, 39). The Act as provided uses the term “decision‑making period” repeatedly but the excerpt does not define its length. That omission in the extract creates operational uncertainty for applicants and advisers unless the “decision‑making period” is defined elsewhere (e.g. in regulations or other parts of the Act not included here). Practitioners should check the consolidated Act/regulations for the exact period. Internal reviews, by contrast, have a defined decision period of 28 days (s 109(7)); information requests affect that calculation.
Deemed refusals and automatic refusals if procedure not followed. Where the agency fails to decide within the decision‑making period, the failure is taken to be a refusal and entitles affected persons to information notices (ss 24, 32, 39). Similarly, if an internal review application is not decided within the internal review decision period the application is taken to have been confirmed (s 109(4)-(5)). These deeming rules can operate to create procedural defaults that are potentially disadvantageous; advisers should track statutory timelines and information‑request deadlines carefully.
Information requests: strict 28 day windows and lapsed requests. The agency has an express power to make information requests to applicants, participants and other persons, typically within 28 days after receipt of applications, service requests or payment requests (ss 21, 29, 36, 108). For payment requests the information request must specify a due day at least 10 days after the request, and if the required information is not given the payment request lapses (s 36). Practically, missing an information request deadline can extinguish a payment claim.
Provider registration and excluded services. The Act excludes services that must be provided by a registered provider but are instead provided by an unregistered person from funding (s 9(1)(c)). Section 9(2) lists attendant care services that must be provided by registered providers. Failure to ensure a provider is registered for services that are prescribed will create risk that the agency treats those services as “excluded” and refuses funding.
Third‑party applications and notice obligations. Insurers can apply on behalf of injured persons but must give the person a copy of the application (s 18(2)). Conversely, where a person (or representative) makes an application and a claim has been made against an insurer the agency must notify the insurer (s 20). If a person subsequently makes or intends to make a claim against an insurer, the application must state that fact and provide claim details (s 19(4)). Failure to comply with these statutory notice and information rules can give rise to procedural complications or preclude applications.
Buy‑ins and limited entitlements. A person who is not eligible may be accepted as a buy‑in participant if the agency decides; the buy‑in requires a contribution calculated under regulation and has strict payment windows , failure to pay within 28 days results in being taken never to have been a participant (s 13). Buy‑in participants do not enjoy some protections: parts of the Act do not apply to buy‑in participants (part 4 division 4; part 5; s 52) (s 13(5)). That means buy‑ins may have limited access to the contribution regime and other protections, so a buy‑in requires careful cost-benefit analysis under the relevant regulations.
Preservation notices and the acceptance/withdrawal trap. The participant must give a preservation notice if they wish to preserve rights to damages (s 41). If a participant gives a preservation notice, the agency may be liable to contribute towards insurer liabilities (s 42); however, if the participant is later awarded treatment, care and support damages and accepts them, s 44(3) provides that the agency must pay the participant the amount of awarded damages less the amount that relates to the participant’s period of participation, and the participant stops being a participant when they receive the payment. Conversely, if the participant refuses the awarded damages the Act declares that despite the judgment or settlement neither the agency nor the insurer is liable to pay the amount (s 44(5)). Those provisions can produce outcomes where acceptance or refusal leads to significant loss of entitlement to ongoing scheme services , a tactical decision that must be made with care.
Medical tribunal confidentiality and procedural limits. For medical matters referred to the medical tribunal the only persons who may be heard or present are the injured person and the injured person’s representative; the agency and insurers cannot be present or heard before the tribunal (s 119). Medical tribunal decisions are final and not reviewable by QCAT (s 123), though the agency must review any inconsistent internal review decision (s 126). That structure can prevent insurers from participating in the medical hearing process and may constrain cross‑examination or contest in the tribunal forum. The tribunal also has tight constraints on document exchange and timing (s 118).
Limits on overseas treatment funding. The agency may consider services to be provided outside Australia, but the Act caps agency liability for treatment provided overseas to the average cost of providing that treatment in Queensland (s 37(5)(b)). The agency may amend support plans to include services outside Australia only in limited circumstances and cannot approve such amendments where a service request has already been made for the treatment (s 51(4)). Participants planning foreign treatment must check these caps and approval rules.
Suspension for absence and effect on rights. The agency may suspend participation if a participant leaves Australia for more than 3 consecutive months and certain other conditions apply (s 52). Suspension means the participant is taken not to be a participant for the purposes of certain parts of the Act (s 52(6)). That can interrupt entitlements and payment flows.
Penalties and limitation windows. Certain statutory penalties are small for operational missteps (e.g. 10 penalty units for failing to give notice of a claim or failing to notify overseas absence (ss 50, 53)), but the Act’s criminal fraud and false‑information provisions carry substantial penalties and a relatively short limitation period for prosecution (s 132-134).
Levy timing and transitional levies. Levy fixation is regulated, with a multi‑step timetable (ss 97-99). A late regulation leaves the previously fixed levy in place until a new regulation commences (s 99(3)), and commissioners’ and agencies’ actuarial inputs are required on a set timetable. For the initial year there were transitional arrangements (s 145). Practitioners dealing with levy administration and insurers must track the timetable for actuarial recommendations, commission consideration and regulatory fixation.
Delegation, Treasurer direction and executive control. The Treasurer can issue directions to the agency or CEO about performance of functions or exercise of powers, except directions about the content of advice, information or reports prepared by the agency (s 136). The agency must comply (s 136(3)). This creates an executive control point for the Treasurer in strategic or operational choices.
Regulatory dependence. Many crucial matters are left to regulation , eligibility criteria, buy‑in terms, levy rebates/refunds, provider registration and funding agreement terms (s 140; see s 12, s 13, s 34). That means the practical effect of the Act is contingent on delegated instruments which must be reviewed to advise clients fully.
How to comply
For injured persons and representatives
Apply promptly and with complete information. If an application is made within one year of the motor accident the agency must accept it (s 16(2)). Where applications are made after one year, the agency may accept or refuse but must consider fairness, likely eligibility, whether a claim exists, and the nature and severity of injury (s 16(3)-(4)). Ensure applications are in the approved form and include the information prescribed by regulation (s 19(1)).
Provide consent to information exchange where required. Applications made by persons other than insurers must state the applicant permits the agency to exchange information with entities prescribed by regulation for scheme purposes (s 19(3)). That is part of the application form and necessary for assessment, support planning and review (s 19(3)(a)-(b)).
Comply with medical information requests and timelines. The agency may ask for further information within 28 days of receiving an application, service request or payment request (ss 21, 29, 36, 108). For payment requests the information request must specify a due day at least 10 days away, and failure to provide the information by the due day results in the payment request lapsing (s 36).
Keep track of review and tribunal deadlines. Internal review applications must generally be made within 28 days after receiving an information notice about an original decision (s 107). Referral to a medical tribunal must be requested within 28 days after the internal review decision notice is given or required to be given (s 112(3)). QCAT external review requires exhaustion of internal review (s 105).
If preserving rights to damages, act on strict timing and court sanction rules. Preservation notices must be given within 14 days of specified events or by court order (s 41(3)-(4)). Where a participant is a person under a legal disability the agency must apply for court sanction (s 41(5)). Practitioners should seek court orders where timelines have lapsed but a preservation option remains needed.
Give required notices about claims and absences. If an application is pending and a person makes a claim, they must give the agency notice within 14 days of making the claim (s 53). Participants leaving Australia must give the agency at least 1 month’s notice, unless they have a reasonable excuse; failure attracts a maximum penalty of 10 penalty units (s 50).
For providers and organisations
Ensure registration where required. Certain services (attendant care personal assistance services and other prescribed services) must be provided by registered providers; if the service must be provided by a registered provider but is provided by an unregistered person the service is excluded from funding (s 9(1)(c)-(2)). Register in accordance with the agency’s regulations and maintain credentials.
Use funding agreements or comply with payment request procedures. The agency may enter funding agreements with persons for expenses to be incurred in a stated period (s 34). Absent a funding agreement for the period, a provider or person who incurs an expense may make a payment request within 6 months (s 35(1), (3)), or seek agency acceptance of a later request if fair and reasonable (s 35(4)). Keep records and submit requests within statutory windows.
Be prepared for capped reimbursements for overseas services. If the agency approves payment requests for treatment outside Australia, the agency’s liability is limited to the average cost of providing the treatment in Queensland (s 37(5)(b)) or amounts prescribed by regulation for domestic services (s 37(5)(a)). Obtain pre‑approval where possible.
For insurers and licensed insurers
Track agency notifications and give copies as required. If an insurer makes an application on behalf of an injured person it must give the person a copy of the application (s 18(2)). The agency must notify an insurer when an application involves a claim that has been made and not finalised (s 20). Keep claims records aligned with agency communications and expect the agency to rely on insurer information in eligibility decisions (s 19(4)).
Prepare for actuarial‑based liabilities and Treasurer‑decided payments. The Treasurer may decide amounts payable by licensed insurers on actuarial advice in relation to unearned premiums and reduced liabilities following commencement (s 96). The agency produces actuarial calculations and levy recommendations for the commission (ss 97-99). Insurers must therefore be ready for regulatory orders or payments tied to actuarial determinations.
Beware limited participation in medical tribunal processes. Insurers cannot be present or heard before medical tribunals; only the injured person and their representative may appear (s 119). Insurers should prepare to use insurance‑law processes and the agency’s internal and external review routes to protect their positions.
For the agency and its staff
Comply with reporting, strategic planning and Treasurer oversight. The CEO must provide quarterly financial reports and immediate notice of material issues to the Treasurer (ss 86-87). The agency must provide draft strategic and operational plans before 31 March for Treasurer agreement (s 91), and any modifications require written Treasurer agreement (s 92). The agency must include actuarial information in the annual report about whether the scheme is fully funded (s 89(1)(c)). Prepare actuarial workstreams on the prescribed timetable and keep the commission informed (ss 97-99).
Follow procedural timelines and provide information notices. The agency must adhere to statutory timeframes for information requests (28 days) and internal reviews (28 days decision period) and must give decision notices and information notices in prescribed circumstances (ss 21, 36, 109-110). Deemed refusals or confirmations can occur if timelines are missed (ss 24, 32, 39, 109(4)-(5), 110(3)).
Manage the fund consistent with statutory duties. The fund consists of multiple sources (levy, recoveries, investment income, Treasurer transfers) and must be managed with an eye to financial sustainability and actuarial advice (s 93). The agency must set investment objectives and policies and may appoint entities (including the Treasurer‑nominated entity or the State Investment Advisory Board) to advise on fund investments (s 58(1)(g)-(h)).
For courts and legal advisers
Respect tribunal finality for medical matters and tribunal confidentiality. Decisions of medical tribunals on referred medical matters are final and not reviewable by QCAT (s 123). The tribunal is not required to disclose new medical information it receives during hearing (s 120). Where medical matters are in issue, court practitioners should expect the statutory medical tribunal route to be the exclusive route for medical determinations under the scheme (ss 112-124).
Apply for sanctions where participants are under legal disability. Where participants are persons under legal disability, court sanction is required for preservation notices and may be required to validate transactions; the court has express powers to make appropriate orders including direction for new notice or other orders (s 41(5)-(8)).
For all affected parties
Consult the regulations and the agency’s published forms and guidance. The Act leaves many operational points to regulation (s 140). Practitioners should consult the current regulations, approved forms (s 139) and Treasurer directions (s 136) to confirm deadlines, forms, contribution formulas, fee schedules and provider registration requirements before advising clients or contracting services.
Keep contemporaneous records and evidence. Procedural compliance (timely applications, provision of medical information, response to information requests) is enforceable and linked to entitlements. Maintaining records that demonstrate statutory notice requirements and compliance (e.g. giving copies of applications, notices of claims, preservation notices) is essential.
Practical checklist (minimum compliance actions)
For injured persons: lodge applications promptly (within 1 year where possible), give necessary medical information, provide required consents for information exchange (s 19), notify the agency of claims (s 53) and overseas travel (s 50), and seek legal advice before giving or accepting preservation notices/accepting awarded damages (ss 41-44).
For providers: register if required (s 9), make timely payment requests (s 35), retain evidence and invoices, and obtain agency pre‑approval where treatment or costs are likely to be greater than usual or overseas (s 37).
For insurers: monitor agency notifications, prepare for actuarial determinations and potential Treasurer‑decided payments (s 96), and ensure claim managers are aware of interaction rights under the Act (s 11).
For the agency: maintain actuarial services, adhere to reporting and plan timelines (ss 86-91), operate information‑request processes within statutory windows, and manage the fund according to investment and sustainability duties (s 93).
This compliance guidance is drawn from the statutory obligations and timelines in the Act. Always confirm the current consolidated Act and applicable regulations before acting.
(ii) making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
(b) a National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland to administer the scheme; and
(c) a national injury insurance scheme fund, Queensland.
(i) assessing the treatment, care and support needed by participants in the scheme; and
(ii) making payments for the treatment, care and support of participants; and
sec.4 Application of Act
sec.4 Application of Act
This Act applies in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with a prescribed vehicle, if—
the injury is a result of—
the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or
a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or
the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or
a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
the incident (the motor accident ) resulting in the injury happens in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016.
However, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with an uninsured motor vehicle, other than a prescribed vehicle stated in subsection (3) (a) , unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road or public place.
Also, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with—
any of the following prescribed vehicles unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road—
a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery;
an agricultural machine;
a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks;
an amphibious vehicle;
a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
a prescribed vehicle that, at the particular time of the motor accident resulting in the injury, is being used for the actual doing of an act or making of a threat that is an act of terrorism.
In this section—
act of terrorism see the Insurance Act , section 4B .
agricultural machine means a machine with its own automotive power that is—
built to perform agricultural tasks; and
being used for agricultural purposes.
tractors and harvesters being used for agricultural purposes
mobile machinery see the Insurance Act , section 4 .
public place see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 .
road see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 .
uninsured motor vehicle means a prescribed vehicle—
for which a CTP insurance policy is not in force; and
of which a self-insurer is not the registered owner; and
that is not a trailer.
(sec.4-ssec.1) This Act applies in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with a prescribed vehicle, if— the injury is a result of— the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and the incident (the motor accident ) resulting in the injury happens in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016.
(sec.4-ssec.2) However, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with an uninsured motor vehicle, other than a prescribed vehicle stated in subsection (3) (a) , unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road or public place.
(sec.4-ssec.3) Also, this Act does not apply in relation to a serious personal injury caused by, through or in connection with— any of the following prescribed vehicles unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road— a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery; an agricultural machine; a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks; an amphibious vehicle; a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or a prescribed vehicle that, at the particular time of the motor accident resulting in the injury, is being used for the actual doing of an act or making of a threat that is an act of terrorism.
(sec.4-ssec.4) In this section— act of terrorism see the Insurance Act , section 4B . agricultural machine means a machine with its own automotive power that is— built to perform agricultural tasks; and being used for agricultural purposes. tractors and harvesters being used for agricultural purposes mobile machinery see the Insurance Act , section 4 . public place see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 . road see the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 , schedule 4 . uninsured motor vehicle means a prescribed vehicle— for which a CTP insurance policy is not in force; and of which a self-insurer is not the registered owner; and that is not a trailer.
(a) the injury is a result of— (i) the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or (ii) a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or (iii) the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or (iv) a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
(i) the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or
(ii) a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or
(iii) the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or
(iv) a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
(b) the incident (the motor accident ) resulting in the injury happens in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016.
(i) the driving of the prescribed vehicle; or
(ii) a collision, or action taken to avoid a collision, with the prescribed vehicle; or
(iii) the prescribed vehicle running out of control; or
(iv) a defect in the prescribed vehicle causing loss of control of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven; and
(a) any of the following prescribed vehicles unless the motor accident resulting in the injury happens on a road— (i) a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery; (ii) an agricultural machine; (iii) a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks; (iv) an amphibious vehicle; (v) a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
(i) a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery;
(ii) an agricultural machine;
(iii) a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks;
(iv) an amphibious vehicle;
(v) a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
(b) a prescribed vehicle that, at the particular time of the motor accident resulting in the injury, is being used for the actual doing of an act or making of a threat that is an act of terrorism.
(i) a tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, end-loader, forklift, industrial crane or hoist, or other mobile machinery;
(ii) an agricultural machine;
(iii) a motor vehicle adapted to run on rail or tram tracks;
(iv) an amphibious vehicle;
(v) a motor vehicle prescribed by regulation; or
(a) built to perform agricultural tasks; and
(b) being used for agricultural purposes.
(a) for which a CTP insurance policy is not in force; and
(b) of which a self-insurer is not the registered owner; and
(c) that is not a trailer.
sec.5 Act binds all persons
sec.5 Act binds all persons
This Act binds all persons, including the State, and, to the extent the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.
However, the State, the Commonwealth or another State can not be prosecuted for an offence against this Act.
(sec.5-ssec.1) This Act binds all persons, including the State, and, to the extent the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.
(sec.5-ssec.2) However, the State, the Commonwealth or another State can not be prosecuted for an offence against this Act.
ch.1-pt.3 Interpretation
Interpretation
sec.6 Definitions
sec.6 Definitions
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.
sec.7 Meaning of prescribed vehicle
sec.7 Meaning of prescribed vehicle
A prescribed vehicle is—
a motor vehicle or a trailer for which a CTP insurance policy is in force; or
a trailer to which a CTP insurance policy extends; or
a motor vehicle of which a self-insurer is the registered owner; or
a trailer for which a self-insurer would be the insurer under the Insurance Act or a corresponding law if the trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury; or
a motor vehicle or a trailer to which a nominal defendant scheme would apply if the motor vehicle or trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury.
(a) a motor vehicle or a trailer for which a CTP insurance policy is in force; or
(b) a trailer to which a CTP insurance policy extends; or
(c) a motor vehicle of which a self-insurer is the registered owner; or
(d) a trailer for which a self-insurer would be the insurer under the Insurance Act or a corresponding law if the trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury; or
(e) a motor vehicle or a trailer to which a nominal defendant scheme would apply if the motor vehicle or trailer were involved in an incident in Queensland resulting in personal injury.
sec.8 Meaning of treatment, care and support needs
sec.8 Meaning of treatment, care and support needs
The treatment, care and support needs of a person are the person’s needs for, or relating to, 1 or more of the following—
medical or pharmaceutical treatment;
dental treatment;
rehabilitation;
ambulance transportation;
respite care;
attendant care and support services;
aids and appliances, other than ordinary personal or household items;
an air conditioner, a laptop, linen, a mobile phone, a personal computer or a washing machine
prosthesis;
education or vocational training;
home or transport modification.
(a) medical or pharmaceutical treatment;
(b) dental treatment;
(c) rehabilitation;
(d) ambulance transportation;
(e) respite care;
(f) attendant care and support services;
(g) aids and appliances, other than ordinary personal or household items; Examples of ordinary personal or household items— an air conditioner, a laptop, linen, a mobile phone, a personal computer or a washing machine
(h) prosthesis;
(i) education or vocational training;
(j) home or transport modification.
sec.9 Meaning of excluded treatment, care and support
sec.9 Meaning of excluded treatment, care and support
Excluded treatment, care and support is treatment, care and support that—
is provided without charge; or
if the participant is a child—ordinarily falls within the ordinary costs of raising a child; or
must be provided by a registered provider but is provided by a person who, at the time of provision, is not a registered provider; or
is provided as part of a medical trial or on another experimental basis; or
is provided as part of a public sector health service, as defined in the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 , schedule 2 ; or
is provided by State emergency services, including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service Queensland; or
is prescribed by regulation.
For subsection (1) (c) , the following treatment, care and support must be provided by a registered provider—
attendant care and support services that are personal assistance services or services to assist a person to participate in the community;
any other treatment, care or support prescribed by regulation.
However, subsection (2) (a) does not apply if the treatment, care and support is being provided to a person at a hospital (whether as an inpatient or an outpatient) as part of the services provided by the hospital.
s 9 amd 2024 No. 22 s 92 sch 1
(sec.9-ssec.1) Excluded treatment, care and support is treatment, care and support that— is provided without charge; or if the participant is a child—ordinarily falls within the ordinary costs of raising a child; or must be provided by a registered provider but is provided by a person who, at the time of provision, is not a registered provider; or is provided as part of a medical trial or on another experimental basis; or is provided as part of a public sector health service, as defined in the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 , schedule 2 ; or is provided by State emergency services, including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue or Rural Fire Service Queensland; or is prescribed by regulation.
(sec.9-ssec.2) For subsection (1) (c) , the following treatment, care and support must be provided by a registered provider— attendant care and support services that are personal assistance services or services to assist a person to participate in the community; any other treatment, care or support prescribed by regulation.
(sec.9-ssec.3) However, subsection (2) (a) does not apply if the treatment, care and support is being provided to a person at a hospital (whether as an inpatient or an outpatient) as part of the services provided by the ho
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