Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) is committed to providing the community access to the information it holds. As part of this commitment, we routinely release information through a publication scheme.
Our publication scheme makes the following classes of information available to the community:
MAIC
MAIC is the regulatory authority responsible for the ongoing management of the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme in Queensland.
Established under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld) (MAI Act) MAIC commenced operations on 1 September 1994 as a statutory body. The Chief Executive of the Commission is the Insurance Commissioner who, in this capacity, is also the Nominal Defendant.
MAIC is funded by a statutory levy payable with the CTP insurance premium. Revenue from compliance fines and income earned on investment of the Motor Accident Insurance Fund are used to fund MAIC’s research initiatives.
Nominal Defendant
The Nominal Defendant is a statutory body established under the (MAI Act) for the purpose of compensating people who are injured as a result of the negligent driving of unidentified and/or uninsured (no Compulsory Third Party [CTP] insurance) motor vehicles. The Nominal Defendant Fund was first introduced in 1961.
The Nominal Defendant operation is funded by a levy within the CTP insurance premium. The levy is set on the basis of an actuarial assessment of claim trends.
The Nominal Defendant is to be taken as a licensed insurer. Under the MAI Act, the Nominal Defendant has the extended role of meeting the claim costs of any licensed insurer who may become insolvent.
MAIC and the Nominal Defendant are positioned within the Finance and Investment division of Queensland Treasury.
To view information on our structure, see Our leadership team in Annual Report 2023-24
MAIC
MAIC’s services are all linked to the key functions under section 10 of the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld). As the regulator for the CTP Scheme in Queensland, MAIC’s functions keep the scheme under review in the interest of the public. Members of the public may contact us to engage with MAIC’s functions.
MAIC’s functions include:
- licensing and supervising CTP insurers and monitoring their compliance
- regulating the CTP insurance scheme
- establishing and revising standards about the proper management of claims
- keeping the statutory insurance scheme under review and making recommendations for its amendment
- developing and maintaining a claims register and statistical database for the purpose of providing management information
- fixing the range within which each insurer must file their premium
- monitoring the availability, adequacy and use of rehabilitation services for people injured in crashes
- recommending to government the levies and administration fees payable to cover the costs involved in delivering different components of the CTP insurance scheme
- contributing funds towards research and education to reduce the frequency and severity of motor vehicle crashes and to facilitate rehabilitation of people who are injured in crashes
- maintaining a helpline service from which the public may obtain information on the CTP insurance scheme.
Nominal Defendant
The Nominal Defendant acts as a licensed insurer in the CTP insurance scheme for claims that involve motor vehicles that are unidentified or uninsured. It also meets the claims costs associated with licensed insurers that become insolvent.
MAIC is committed to being accountable and transparent about financial management.
MAIC and the Nominal Defendant are funded by statutory levies, payable through the CTP insurance premium. Revenue from compliance fines and income earned on investments fund MAIC’s research and grant programs.
Further information about MAIC and the Nominal Defendant’s income and expenditure is available in our annual reports.
MAIC and the Nominal Defendant have strategic plans dedicated to improving experiences and outcomes for claimants and motorists.
These plans outline key objectives that will be at the forefront of innovation for MAIC and the Nominal Defendant in the coming years. The purpose, vision, and opportunities for improvement are centred around the customer experience for claimants, motorists, and other stakeholders.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan recognises the importance of acknowledging and respecting Australia’s First Nations peoples and is committed to prioritising reconciliation and cultural understanding to build strong relationships with First Nations communities.
MAIC’s decision making process is governed by the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld) and the Motor Accident Insurance Regulation 2018.
As part of MAIC’s administration of the CTP insurance scheme, MAIC has regard to social expectation and the importance of balancing the costs of compliance with expected scheme outcomes and benefits for the community. Much of MAIC’s work is achieved using non-statutory approaches and working consultatively with entities to identify and rectify problems before they negatively impact the fairness, efficiency or affordability of the CTP insurance scheme. However, MAIC is prepared to make enforcement decisions to deliver its mandate when appropriate, including where non-statutory approaches are not delivering satisfactory outcomes. Enforcement powers may have different tests or triggers, depending on the precise legislative provision that creates the power. Before using a power, MAIC must be satisfied that the provisions of the relevant test or trigger are met.
We respect, protect and promote human rights in our decision-making and actions.
MAIC has also published a number of guidelines and standards to ensure conduct tailored to licensed CTP insurers, health providers, and legal practitioners to promote best-practice industry standards for injured persons who have lodged a CTP claim.
We have a range of policies that govern the way we work.
All information in the publication scheme can be accessed free of charge. Please note that you may be charged for a hardcopy of the information.
Please contact us for assistance accessing information in an alternative format.
RTI disclosure log
As statutory bodies positioned within Queensland Treasury, MAIC and Nominal Defendant documents that are released to an applicant under the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld) are published on Queensland Treasury’s disclosure log.
Gifts and benefits register
As statutory bodies positioned within Queensland Treasury, gifts and benefits received by MAIC and Nominal Defendant employees (valued over $150) are published in Queensland Treasury’s Gifts and benefits register.
The types of information MAIC holds
We hold documents about compliance and enforcement activities under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (Qld). We also hold corporate documents such as our annual reports. We hold and produce statistical information about the CTP scheme to assist with our functions such as insurer performance data, enquiry data and claims trends. We also hold data relating to scheme fraud and other vexatious practices such as claim farming.
Complaints
MAIC is committed to continuous improvement in delivering an affordable, efficient and fair CTP insurance scheme for the Queensland community.
In line with Queensland Public Service values and obligations, our management of complaints and feedback is designed to be impartial, confidential and transparent. It also reflects our commitment to respecting, protecting and promoting human rights.