Starting 1 July, anyone who sustains serious personal injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Queensland may be eligible to receive necessary and reasonable lifetime treatment, care and support under the new National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ).
The new NIISQ complements Queensland’s existing CTP scheme by extending treatment, care and support to those not covered by the current CTP scheme. Participants who have a CTP claim will make a claim against the relevant CTP insurer for other relevant compensation such as general damages (e.g. pain and suffering) or economic loss. However, participants will receive necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support through the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland.
An eligible serious personal injury is a life-changing injury that leaves a person with a permanent disability requiring assistance in their everyday life. Serious personal injuries include:
- Permanent spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Multiple or high-level amputations
- Permanent injury to the brachial plexus
- Permanent legal blindness
The Scheme will support people by providing services and supports such as medical and pharmaceutical treatment, attendant care and support services, rehabilitation such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, respite care, and aids and appliances such as wheelchairs.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach as serious personal injuries affect everyone differently and their needs change over time. That’s why treatment, care and support will be tailored to the individual, taking into consideration their unique and personal circumstances and their goals.
The Scheme will be administered by the National Injury Insurance Agency Queensland.