What travel and accommodation expenses are covered under the NSW CTP scheme?
Under the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance scheme, travel and accommodation expenses may be reimbursed if they are directly related to receiving medical treatment following a motor accident. This includes reasonable costs for transport to and from medical appointments, diagnostic tests, rehabilitation sessions, or specialist consultations. Accommodation costs are generally only covered if the treatment requires an overnight stay away from home, such as for inpatient care or a residential rehabilitation program. The CTP insurer must approve these expenses in advance or upon submission of evidence, and they must be necessary and not excessive.
What evidence is needed to claim travel and accommodation costs?
To claim travel and accommodation costs under the CTP scheme, you must provide documentation that supports the necessity, reasonableness, and direct connection to your injury. This includes:
- A written medical certificate from your treating practitioner confirming the need for travel to a medical appointment or overnight stay.
- Itemised receipts for transport (e.g. taxi fare, fuel costs, public transport tickets) or accommodation (e.g. hotel invoice, boarding house receipt).
- A travel itinerary or appointment confirmation showing the date, time, and location of the medical visit.
- For accommodation, evidence that the stay was not for convenience but required due to the distance from home to treatment, or because of medical supervision needs.
In Ashfield, as elsewhere in NSW, the insurer may request a copy of the treatment plan or a letter from the medical provider explaining why travel or overnight accommodation was medically necessary. Claims without proper documentation are unlikely to be approved.
Can family members’ travel and accommodation costs be claimed?
Generally, travel and accommodation costs for family members are not covered under the CTP scheme unless they are directly involved in providing care and their travel is a reasonable and necessary part of that care. For example, if a family member travels to assist in transporting you to treatment, or to stay with you during recovery due to a medical need, they may be able to claim reasonable travel costs. However, this is not automatic and must be supported by medical evidence and a clear explanation of the care role.
Accommodation for a family member is only considered if it is directly tied to a medical need, such as a caregiver staying overnight to assist with medication, wound care, or mobility. The claim must demonstrate that the family member’s presence was medically necessary and not for convenience or emotional support.
How long do you have to claim travel and accommodation costs?
There is no fixed deadline for submitting a claim for travel and accommodation costs under the CTP scheme, but it is important to act promptly. You must notify your CTP insurer as soon as possible after incurring the expense. Delays in reporting may lead to disputes over eligibility, especially if the insurer claims the claim was not made in a timely way or if records are no longer available.
The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 does not set a time limit for claiming these types of expenses, but it is best practice to submit claims within 12 months of the accident. This helps ensure that medical records, receipts, and witness details remain accessible and reduces the risk of the insurer disputing the claim on grounds of delay.
What if the insurer refuses a claim for travel or accommodation?
If your CTP insurer refuses to pay for travel or accommodation costs, you have the right to request a review of the decision. You can ask the insurer to reconsider based on additional evidence, such as a new medical certificate or updated travel records.
If the insurer still refuses, you may apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a determination. NCAT can review whether the expenses were reasonable, necessary, and directly related to your injury. You must submit your application within 12 months of the insurer’s decision, or within 12 months of the accident if the decision was not made within that time.
What if you need to travel interstate for treatment?
If you need to travel outside NSW for specialist treatment, the CTP insurer may cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs, provided the treatment is approved by a medical practitioner and is not for elective or non-urgent care. You must obtain written approval from the insurer before incurring the expenses, or submit the claim with full documentation for approval.
The insurer may only cover costs that are standard for the type of travel and accommodation, such as economy class transport and a standard hotel rate. You cannot claim for luxury or premium services.
Hypothetical example
A person in Ashfield was injured in a motor accident on 15 March 2026. They were referred by their GP to a specialist in Sydney for ongoing physiotherapy and pain management. The specialist is located 45 minutes from Ashfield, and the treatment requires weekly visits for 12 weeks. The claimant used a taxi for each visit and stayed in a hotel for two nights during a 10-day rehabilitation program at a specialist centre in Newcastle. The claimant submitted itemised taxi receipts, a hotel invoice, and a medical certificate confirming the treatment was medically necessary. The CTP insurer approved the claim for travel and accommodation costs, as they were reasonable, necessary, and directly linked to recovery.
When to seek independent advice
Every claim depends on its own facts. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.