Three quick questions to help you understand where you likely stand, and what to do next. This is general information, not a decision about your claim: only your insurer can confirm that.
Let's find out in 3 questions
Answer honestly. It only takes a minute, and nothing you enter is recorded.
Question 1 of 3
Were you injured, physically or emotionally, in a motor vehicle accident that happened in NSW?
This includes drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. Psychological injury on its own, with no physical injury, still counts.
Question 2 of 3
How long ago was the accident?
Question 3 of 3
What's the status of your CTP claim?
This directory covers NSW CTP claims specifically
If the accident happened outside NSW, a different state or territory compulsory injury insurance scheme applies, with its own rules; this site and its guides are written for NSW CTP. If you were in NSW but are not sure whether you were "injured", psychological effects of an accident (trouble sleeping, anxiety about driving, low mood) sometimes surface a little later, once the practical matters have settled, and they still count. Seeing your GP is a reasonable next step either way.
With an active claim, the practical next step is a GP visit (if you have not already had one) and contacting a SIRA-experienced psychologist who accepts CTP clients. Your psychologist will complete an Allied Health Treatment Request explaining the proposed treatment; the insurer generally has 10 working days to respond. For approved sessions, the insurer typically pays the psychologist directly, so your out-of-pocket cost is usually nil.
You do not have to wait for full approval to get started
While your insurer is still deciding liability, early intervention rules can allow some initial treatment, generally a GP visit and up to two treatment sessions, at the insurer's discretion, even before your claim is fully accepted. It is worth contacting a SIRA-experienced psychologist now and asking whether they can see you under early intervention.
You generally need to give notice of a claim to the CTP insurer within 3 months of the accident (lodging within 28 days preserves backdated weekly payments, but is not required for treatment). You do not need to wait for the claim to be finalised before seeing a psychologist: some people start via early intervention, or use a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan and Medicare as an interim option while the claim is being sorted out.
The usual next steps are: ask the insurer for its decision and reasons in writing, ask your psychologist and GP to strengthen the clinical documentation, then request an internal review from the insurer. If that does not resolve it, motor accident disputes go to the Personal Injury Commission, an independent tribunal, not the workers compensation Independent Review Office. Free help is available from SIRA's CTP Assist (1300 656 919) and the CTP Legal Advisory Service.
Does this checker decide whether my claim is covered?
No. This is general information to help you understand the likely next step, not a decision about your claim. Only your CTP insurer, based on your psychologist's Allied Health Treatment Request, decides what is funded. If you want a definite answer, contact your insurer or SIRA's CTP Assist on 1300 656 919.
What if it has been more than a year since my accident?
You can still seek help and still make or continue a claim. Statutory benefits are generally available regardless of fault for the first 52 weeks after the accident; beyond that, continuing entitlement depends on fault and on whether your injury is classified as a threshold or non-threshold injury. This is exactly the kind of situation where free advice helps early: see the guide on disputed and complex claims, or call CTP Assist.
I'm not sure if my accident even counts, or I wasn't physically hurt. Should I still use this?
Yes. CTP treatment and care can cover psychological injury on its own, without a physical injury, and psychological effects of an accident sometimes surface later once the practical matters have settled. If in doubt, run the checker or talk to your GP.
This tool provides general information only. It is not legal, medical, or crisis advice, and it does not replace your insurer's decision on your claim. If you are in crisis, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue is on 1300 22 4636, 13YARN is on 13 92 76, and in an emergency call 000.