What travel and accommodation costs are covered under NSW CTP laws for medical assessments?
- Under NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) laws, claimants may claim reasonable travel and accommodation costs incurred to attend medical assessments required for their motor accident claim. This includes expenses for travel to and from appointments, overnight stays, and transportation of dependants. The
- Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017* and
- SIRA guidelines* specify that these costs must be directly related to the medical assessment process and documented with receipts or invoices.
Practical steps and evidence for rural/remote NSW claimants
Claimants in rural or remote areas face unique challenges in documenting travel costs. Key steps include:
- Keep detailed records: Log all travel-related expenses, including fuel receipts, tolls, and transport invoices. For example, a claimant in Dubbo may need to document a 500km round trip to a specialist in Sydney.
- Prove necessity: SIRA requires evidence that the travel was essential for the medical assessment. This may include appointment confirmations, medical reports, or witness statements.
- Account for dependants: Expenses for transporting children or elderly relatives to assessments are generally claimable under the Motor Accident Injuries Regulation 2017.
SIRA guidance for remote NSW areas
- SIRA’s
- What you can claim* page clarifies that travel costs in rural areas are assessed based on the
- reasonableness* of the expense. For instance, a claimant in a remote community may need to claim higher fuel costs or alternative transport due to limited infrastructure. SIRA also advises claimants to submit travel records in advance of assessments to avoid delays.
Time limits and when to seek advice
- Claimants must notify their insurer of travel costs within the 52-week statutory period for
- threshold injuries* (as defined in
- s 3.28* of the
- Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017*). Disputes over travel expenses are resolved through SIRA’s review process, which requires submitting evidence within 28 days of receiving a decision. Claimants facing disputes over rural travel costs should seek legal advice promptly to ensure compliance with procedural deadlines.
Example of rural travel cost claim
A claimant in Broken Hill needs to travel 800km to a specialist in Adelaide for a medical assessment. They document the trip with a bus ticket, fuel receipts, and a letter from their GP confirming the necessity of the travel. SIRA approves the claim, recognizing the higher travel costs typical in remote areas.
Next steps
CTP travel and accommodation claims in rural NSW depend on accurate documentation and adherence to SIRA guidelines. If you’re preparing for a medical assessment and need assistance with claim-related queries, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form to request contact about your circumstances.