Time Limits for Travel and Accommodation Costs in NSW CTP Claims
If you incurred travel or accommodation expenses to access medical treatment after a motor accident in Greater Sydney, you must claim these costs within three years of the accident date. Under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, there is no separate time limit for these expenses, only the general three-year deadline applies. Missing this deadline may prevent you from recovering these costs, even if they were reasonable and necessary.
What Travel and Accommodation Costs Are Claimable?
Under the NSW CTP scheme, you may claim reasonable travel and accommodation expenses directly related to medical treatment following a motor accident. These costs are part of the broader 'treatment and care benefits' outlined in the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017. To qualify, the expenses must be:
- Necessary for accessing medical treatment
- Incurred as a direct result of the accident
- Not avoidable through alternative arrangements
For example, travel to a specialist clinic in Sydney or overnight stays for treatment may be claimable, but luxury accommodations or unnecessary travel would not.
How SIRA Guidelines Apply to These Claims
SIRA’s guidelines confirm that travel and accommodation costs are only compensable if they were essential for treatment and could not be avoided. The insurer will assess whether the travel was reasonable in distance, mode, and cost, and whether the accommodation was necessary and not excessive. For instance, a return trip from a suburban area in Greater Sydney to a specialist clinic in the city may be considered reasonable, but a stay at a luxury hotel would not.
Practical Steps to Support Your Claim
To claim travel and accommodation costs, you must provide evidence such as:
- Itemised receipts for travel (e.g. fuel, public transport tickets, ride-share fares)
- Hotel invoices or booking confirmations
- A medical certificate confirming that the travel was necessary for treatment
- Evidence that alternative arrangements (e.g. telehealth, local clinics) were not suitable
If you required travel outside Greater Sydney for treatment, you must demonstrate that no equivalent treatment was available locally. Travel to a specialist in Sydney itself may still be claimable if local services were unavailable.
What Happens if You Miss the Time Limit?
If you fail to claim travel and accommodation costs within three years of the accident, your claim will generally be barred. SIRA has confirmed that the three-year deadline applies equally to all components of a CTP claim. There is no provision in the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 for delayed claims on the grounds that these costs were incurred later than other claim types.
In rare cases, a claim may be considered under a discretionary review if you can demonstrate that you were unable to act within the time limit due to a serious mental health condition, a physical disability, or a failure by the insurer to provide information about your rights. However, such reviews are not guaranteed and require strong evidence.
When to Seek Advice
If you are unsure whether you have met the time limit or have delayed in making a claim, seek independent advice as soon as possible. While SIRA provides guidance on making a claim, it does not replace legal advice. A solicitor can assess whether your claim is still viable, whether you have a valid reason for delay, and whether you may be eligible for a discretionary review.
Next Step
Every claim depends on its own facts. To request contact about your circumstances, complete the quick, no obligation enquiry form.