July 4, 2016
A rise in registration fees will ensure that people involved in motor vehicle accidents will now be fully covered if they suffer life-changing injuries.
Queensland’s new National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) came into effect on Friday, July 1.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the scheme addresses a gap in Queensland’s existing Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance which does not cover drivers who are at fault, or where there is no negligent party involved.
“It may come as a surprise to many Queenslanders that CTP insurance only covers about half of all people seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents,” Mr Pitt said.
“These people have had to rely on their own assets, taxpayer-funded healthcare and family and friends for their support.”
The NIIS will provide treatment, care and support for injured motorists including rehabilitation, medical and pharmaceutical treatment, respite care, home and vehicle modifications, and aids and appliances such as wheelchairs.
“The NIIS brings our State into line with the rest of Australia and is a significant social reform,” Mr Pitt said.
A new National Injury Insurance Agency Queensland has been established to administer the scheme, which will be funded by a levy paid at the same time as motor vehicle registration.
For an average family car, the net cost of the scheme will be about $32 a year.
“The NIIS is an affordable scheme that gets the balance right for motorists,” Mr Pitt said.
The State Government will also conduct a review of the CTP insurance scheme to find cost efficiencies and seek further savings.
“This will be completed in time for calculating 2017/18 CTP premiums, with any savings expected to take effect from July 1, 2017.”
While the scheme commenced on July 1, in order to allow the National Injury Insurance Agency and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to implement IT system changes, the levy will not commence until October 1.
Further information about the NIIS is available at niis.qld.gov.au.
