What Domestic Duties Support Covers Under the NSW CTP Scheme
If you were injured in a motor accident in Greater Sydney and your injury prevents you from performing essential household tasks, you may be entitled to compensation for domestic duties support under the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme. This support is available to help cover the reasonable cost of hiring someone to assist with daily household activities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, and minor home maintenance. The scheme is governed by the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (MAIA), which applies to motor accidents occurring on or after 1 December 2017. Claims are managed by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), which oversees the CTP scheme across NSW.
Eligibility for Domestic Duties Support
To qualify for domestic duties support, you must meet the following criteria under the MAIA:
- You must have suffered an injury as a result of a motor accident involving a motor vehicle.
- The injury must have caused a loss of capacity to perform domestic duties that you were able to carry out before the accident.
- The loss must be directly attributable to the accident and not due to a pre-existing condition unless it was worsened by the accident.
- You must have a documented need for assistance, confirmed by a medical report from a qualified medical practitioner. The report must detail the nature and duration of your functional impairment, including limitations on mobility, strength, or coordination.
The CTP scheme does not cover personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, or toileting unless they are part of a broader rehabilitation plan. These may be eligible under separate arrangements, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), if applicable.
What Costs Are Reimbursable
Domestic duties support is not a lump sum payment. It is a reimbursement for actual, reasonable, and necessary costs incurred for services performed by a third party. You may claim for:
- Preparing meals
- Cleaning and tidying the home
- Doing laundry
- Shopping for groceries and household items
- Basic home maintenance (e.g. changing light bulbs, minor repairs)
You must provide evidence of payment, such as receipts, invoices, or bank statements. The scheme does not cover costs for services you would normally perform yourself, nor does it cover tasks that are not essential to maintaining a safe and habitable home.
Evidence Required to Support Your Claim
To successfully claim, you must provide the following documentation:
- A completed claim form through SIRA
- A medical certificate from your treating practitioner confirming your injury and its impact on your ability to perform domestic duties
- A record of the domestic duties you were unable to perform, including a description of the tasks and how often they were required
- Invoices or receipts for services paid to a third party
- A written statement from the service provider, including their name, contact details, and a description of the work performed
If you have not yet engaged a service, you may still claim for future costs if you can demonstrate a reasonable need and provide a written quote from a service provider. However, you must not incur expenses without first obtaining approval from the insurer or SIRA, as unapproved costs may not be reimbursed.
Time Limits and Claim Process
You must notify the insurer of the vehicle that caused the accident, or SIRA directly, within 6 months of the accident, or within 6 months of the date you first became aware of a connection between your injury and the accident, whichever is later. This is a strict deadline. Failure to meet it may prevent you from claiming.
The claim process begins by lodging a claim with the insurer. If you are unsure who is responsible, you can contact SIRA for assistance. The insurer will assess your claim and may request additional medical or financial evidence. If approved, you will receive reimbursement for eligible costs as they are incurred.
How This Differs from Other Support Arrangements
Domestic duties support under the CTP scheme is not a government welfare payment and does not replace informal care from family or friends. It is separate from treatment and care benefits, which cover medical and rehabilitation expenses, and from weekly income payments, which are only available if you are unable to work. This support is available regardless of employment status, as long as your injury affects your ability to manage household tasks.
It is also important to note that the CTP scheme does not cover all forms of care. For example, it does not cover personal care such as bathing, dressing, or toileting unless these are part of a broader rehabilitation plan. These are generally covered under separate arrangements, such as the NDIS, if applicable.
Practical Next Steps
If you believe you may be eligible, you should:
- Seek medical attention and obtain a report confirming your injury and functional limitations
- Keep detailed records of the domestic duties you are unable to perform
- Gather all receipts and invoices for services paid
- Contact SIRA or the insurer to begin the claim process as soon as possible
Every claim depends on its own facts. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.