What travel and accommodation costs are covered under NSW CTP claims?
If you were injured in a motor accident in New South Wales and need to travel for medical treatment, you may be able to claim reasonable travel and accommodation costs through your Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance. This includes costs for transport to and from treatment appointments, as well as reasonable overnight stays if treatment requires you to stay away from home. These costs are covered under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 and are intended to ensure that travel for medical treatment does not become a financial barrier to recovery.
The coverage applies to treatment in Greater Sydney and across NSW, provided the travel is necessary and directly related to your injury. This includes travel to specialist clinics, rehabilitation centres, or hospitals for ongoing care. The costs must be reasonable and supported by evidence such as receipts, travel itineraries, or a medical practitioner’s letter confirming the need for travel.
How are travel and accommodation costs funded for treatment in Greater Sydney?
Under the CTP scheme, travel and accommodation costs are funded through the treatment and care benefits available under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017. These benefits are not limited to a specific suburb or region, so travel to medical providers in Greater Sydney is eligible for reimbursement if it is medically necessary and reasonable.
Accommodation costs must be for a single night or more and must be for a standard, non-luxury room. You cannot claim for travel to a treatment provider that is not medically necessary or for travel that could have been avoided by using local services. For example, if a specialist appointment is available closer to your home, you may not be able to claim for travel to a more distant provider unless your medical practitioner confirms that the treatment cannot be accessed locally.
The insurer will assess whether the travel and accommodation costs are reasonable and necessary. This assessment is based on the nature of your injury, the distance travelled, the type of transport used, and the cost of accommodation. You must keep all original receipts and documentation to support your claim.
What steps should you take to claim travel and accommodation costs under CTP laws?
To claim travel and accommodation costs, you must first ensure that you have received medical treatment for your injury and that your medical practitioner has documented the need for travel to a specialist or treatment facility. You should then:
- Obtain and keep all original receipts for transport (e.g. taxi, train, bus, car hire) and accommodation (e.g. hotel, motel).
- Record the date, time, destination, and purpose of each travel journey related to treatment.
- Submit a claim to your CTP insurer through the SIRA claims portal or by completing a claim form provided by the insurer.
- Include a letter from your medical practitioner confirming that travel to the treatment provider was medically necessary and that the treatment is part of your recovery plan.
It is important to notify your CTP insurer as soon as possible after the accident, especially if you anticipate needing to travel for treatment. Delays in notification may affect the insurer’s ability to assess and approve your claim.
Are there any limitations or restrictions on claiming these costs?
Yes. The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 limits the types of travel and accommodation costs that can be claimed. Only reasonable and necessary expenses are covered. For example, travel by private car is not reimbursed unless it is the only viable option and you can demonstrate that alternative transport was not available or practical.
Accommodation costs are limited to standard rates and must not exceed what is considered reasonable for the location and time of year. Luxury stays, additional services such as room service, or stays that are not directly tied to a treatment appointment will not be approved.
If you are claiming for travel to a treatment provider outside your local area, the insurer may require a formal assessment from your medical practitioner or a specialist to confirm that the treatment cannot be accessed locally. This is particularly relevant in Greater Sydney, where specialist services are widely available.
There is no automatic entitlement to claim travel and accommodation costs. The insurer has the right to assess whether the travel was necessary and whether the costs are reasonable. If your claim is denied, you may request a review or seek independent advice.
What if the claim is denied or the insurer disputes the costs?
If your claim for travel and accommodation costs is denied or you believe the insurer has not assessed it fairly, you can request a review from the insurer. If the dispute remains unresolved, you may apply to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a determination under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017.
You must keep all documentation, including correspondence with the insurer, medical letters, and receipts, as evidence. NCAT will consider whether the travel was medically necessary, whether the costs were reasonable, and whether the insurer followed the correct process.
A reasonable example: A person injured in a car accident in Sydney’s inner west needed to travel to a specialist spinal clinic in North Sydney for ongoing physiotherapy. The travel occurred twice a week for six months. The claim included taxi receipts, a letter from the physiotherapist confirming the need for travel, and accommodation receipts for two overnight stays during a treatment block. The insurer approved the claim after verifying the medical necessity and reasonableness of costs.
What should you do next?
Every claim depends on its own facts. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.