Lifetime Care and Support Scheme (icare): NSW CTP for Severe Injuries
The Lifetime Care and Support Scheme (the Scheme) is a NSW Government program that pays for the treatment, rehabilitation, and care of people who have been severely injured in a motor vehicle accident. The Scheme is administered by icare. If your claim is being transferred to Lifetime Care, it is critical to understand how this interacts with your overall CTP claim. General information only.
1) Eligibility for the Scheme
Eligibility for the Scheme is based on the severity of the injury and the circumstances of the motor accident. Severe injuries covered by the Scheme include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputations (or equivalent functional loss)
- Severe Burns
- Permanent Blindness
Eligibility is determined by specific criteria outlined in the Lifetime Care and Support Guidelines. Participation is available regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
2) What does the Scheme provide?
The Scheme pays for "reasonable and necessary" services related to your accident injuries, including:
- Medical treatment (hospital stays, specialists, medication)
- Rehabilitation (physio, OT, speech therapy)
- Aids and equipment (wheelchairs, mobility aids)
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Attendant care and domestic services
- Support to return to study or work
3) Interim vs. Lifetime Participation
Participation in the Scheme typically occurs in two phases:
- Interim Participant: If eligible, you are accepted into the Scheme for an initial period of two years. During this time, icare pays for your reasonable and necessary care and assessments are ongoing.
- Lifetime Participant: After the two-year interim period, a further assessment is conducted to determine if you meet the criteria for lifetime participation.
4) Interaction with your CTP claim (Crucial)
A common misconception is that if you are in Lifetime Care, your "claim" is finished. This is incorrect. While icare (Lifetime Care) takes over the medical and care components of your claim, you still have a separate CTP claim with the CTP insurer for:
- Weekly income support payments
- Common law damages (economic loss and, in serious cases, pain and suffering)
It is vital that these two processes are managed correctly to ensure you don’t lose access to lump sum entitlements.
5) Why you should contact us immediately
If your claim is being transferred—or is eligible to be transferred—to the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme, you should contact us immediately to discuss your situation.
Managing the transition to icare while simultaneously pursuing a common law damages claim against a CTP insurer requires careful legal strategy. We can ensure that your long-term interests are protected across both schemes.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme?
- The Lifetime Care and Support Scheme (run by icare) pays for the treatment, rehabilitation, and care of people severely injured in motor accidents in NSW, regardless of who was at fault.
- Who is eligible for Lifetime Care?
- Eligibility is limited to those with severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputations (or equivalent impairment), severe burns, or permanent blindness.
- What is the difference between Interim and Lifetime participation?
- If eligible, you are first accepted as an “interim participant” for two years. During this time, your needs are assessed. After two years, you may be eligible to become a “lifetime participant”.
- Do I still have a CTP claim if I am in Lifetime Care?
- Yes. While Lifetime Care (icare) handles your medical and care expenses, you still have a CTP claim with the motor insurer for other entitlements, such as weekly income support and potential common law damages for economic loss.