Motor Accident Guidelines (SIRA) — NSW CTP claims

The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) Motor Accident Guidelines set out processes and expectations that insurers (and other scheme participants) must follow when dealing with NSW CTP claims. This page provides a general overview of the Guidelines and the parts most relevant to injured people: claims handling, threshold injury, permanent impairment (WPI), and dispute resolution. General information only.

Key references on this page

1) What the Motor Accident Guidelines are

The Motor Accident Guidelines are issued by SIRA under guideline-making powers in the NSW CTP scheme. They work alongside the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 and the Regulation. In practical terms, the Guidelines describe processes and procedures insurers must follow when handling claims.

2) The parts that matter most to claimants

For most claimants, the most relevant parts are:

Claims handling (Part 4): how insurers must deal with claims, communications, evidence, and decisions.
Threshold injury (Part 5): guidance relevant to threshold injury assessments and disputes.
Permanent impairment (Part 6): guidance relevant to WPI/permanent impairment assessment issues.
Dispute resolution (Part 7): internal review requirements and interaction with the PIC.

This site keeps references at a general level (Part-level) unless a specific clause is essential.

3) How the Guidelines interact with the PIC and disputes

Disputes in NSW CTP commonly begin with an insurer internal review step, then (if unresolved) proceed to the Personal Injury Commission (PIC) using the correct dispute pathway (merit vs medical).

Read: Dispute resolution under the Guidelines, internal review, and merit review vs medical assessment.

4) Where to go next

Frequently asked questions

Do the Guidelines apply to my claim?: The Guidelines apply broadly to claims in the NSW scheme, but some transitional provisions can apply depending on accident date and the specific part/clause. This website provides general information only.
Are insurers required to follow the Guidelines?: Insurers generally have licence conditions requiring compliance with relevant parts of the Guidelines. The practical implications depend on the issue and the dispute pathway.
Do the Guidelines replace the Act?: No. The Act and Regulation are primary. The Guidelines operate alongside them and set procedures/expectations under guideline-making powers.
Can I rely on the Guidelines in a dispute?: Guidelines can be relevant to claims handling and internal review processes. The weight and effect depends on the dispute type and the applicable provisions.
Where does the PIC fit?: Many disputes escalate to the Personal Injury Commission after internal review, using the correct dispute type (merit vs medical).