Of course. Here is a comprehensive guide to CTP Insurance in Australia, covering what it is, how it works, who needs it, and key details for each state and territory.

What is CTP Insurance? (Compulsory Third Party Insurance)
CTP Insurance, often called a "Green Slip" in NSW or a "Regulation" in other states, is a mandatory form of insurance that all registered vehicles in Australia must have. It is not designed to cover damage to your own vehicle or property.
Its sole purpose is to provide compensation to people injured (or the families of people killed) in a motor vehicle accident where your vehicle is at fault.
This compensation covers:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses (e.g., ambulance, hospital bills, physiotherapy).
- Loss of income if the injured person cannot work.
- Pain and suffering and other legal entitlements.
- Funeral expenses in the event of a fatality.
What it generally does NOT cover:

- Damage to your car or other people's property (this is covered by Comprehensive or Third Party Property insurance).
- The driver of the at-fault vehicle (in most states, the driver is covered by the CTP policy of the vehicle they were driving at the time of the accident).
Who Needs CTP Insurance?
Anyone who wants to register a car, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle in Australia must purchase a CTP policy as part of the registration process. You cannot get a registration sticker without a valid CTP certificate.
How Does it Work? The Process
- Purchase: When you register your vehicle or renew your registration, you must buy a CTP policy. You do this through an insurer approved by your state or territory's government.
- Insurer Selection: In most states, you can choose which insurer you buy your CTP policy from. The price can vary significantly between insurers.
- Link to Registration: Once you pay for the policy, the insurer provides you with a certificate (e.g., a "Green Slip" in NSW). This is linked electronically to your vehicle's registration.
- Claim: If someone is injured in an accident involving your vehicle, they (or their lawyer) can make a claim directly to the Nominal Defendant in your state or territory. The Nominal Defendant is a government body that acts on behalf of the at-fault driver's insurer to process claims.
Key Differences by State and Territory
The name, managing body, and specific rules for CTP insurance vary across Australia. Here’s a breakdown for each one:
New South Wales (NSW)
- Common Name: Green Slip
- Managing Body: State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)
- How it Works: You choose a Green Slip provider from a list of approved insurers (e.g., AAMI, NRMA, Allianz, QBE). The price is heavily regulated by the government. You must purchase the Green Slip before you can register your vehicle.
- Unique Feature: The SIRA Personal Injury Scale. This is a system that categorises injuries from minor (e.g., soft tissue injuries) to catastrophic (e.g., quadriplegia). The scale determines the potential compensation cost, which in turn influences the price of your Green Slip. Vehicles with a higher risk profile (e.g., high-powered cars) are more expensive to insure.
Victoria (VIC)
- Common Name: TAC (Transport Accident Commission) Levy
- Managing Body: Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
- How it Works: Victoria has a "no-fault" scheme. This means you can claim from the TAC regardless of who was at fault in the accident, as long as you were using a form of transport (as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, etc.). The levy is paid as part of your vehicle registration, and you don't choose a private insurer.
- Unique Feature: The "no-fault" system and the fact that it's a single, government-run entity. The TAC also funds community programs like road safety awareness and rehabilitation services.
Queensland (QLD)
- Common Name: CTP Insurance
- Managing Body: Queensland Mutual Insurance Association (QMIA)
- How it Works: You choose a CTP provider from a list of approved insurers (e.g., RACQ, AAMI, Allianz). The QMIA manages the overall scheme and claims process. The premium is paid with your vehicle registration.
- Unique Feature: The QMIA is a mutual organisation, meaning it's owned by its members (the insurers). It plays a central role in managing the scheme's stability and funding.
Western Australia (WA)
- Common Name: CTP Insurance
- Managing Body: Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA)
- How it Works: WA operates a "shared market" model. The ICWA sets the premium rates and manages the overall scheme. You buy your policy from one of several private insurers (e.g., RAC Insurance, SGIC, Allianz), but they all underwrite the policies through the ICWA.
- Unique Feature: The shared market model. The ICWA acts as the insurer of last resort and manages the claims process, while private insurers compete for customers' business.
South Australia (SA)
- Common Name: CTP Insurance
- Managing Body: Motor Accident Commission (MAC)
- How it Works: Similar to NSW, you choose from a panel of approved insurers (e.g., AAMI, RAA, Allianz). The MAC oversees the scheme and funds the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme, which provides lifetime treatment and support for people with catastrophic injuries.
- Unique Feature: The Lifetime Care and Support Scheme is a cornerstone of SA's system. It provides extensive, lifelong support to seriously injured people, funded through the CTP premiums.
Tasmania (TAS)
- Common Name: CTP Insurance
- Managing Body: Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB)
- How it Works: Tasmania has a "no-fault" scheme, similar to Victoria. You don't choose a private insurer. The MAIB is a government body that manages the scheme and processes all claims. The premium is included in your vehicle registration.
- Unique Feature: The "no-fault" system and the government-run model. Claims are made directly to the MAIB.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Common Name: CTP Insurance
- Managing Body: ACT Government, through Access Canberra
- How it Works: The ACT has a "no-fault" scheme managed entirely by the government. You purchase your CTP as part of your registration, and there is no choice of private insurer. All claims are handled by the government's insurer, the Nominal Defendant.
- Unique Feature: A fully government-run, "no-fault" scheme. The simplicity is a key benefit, but there is no market competition for price.
Northern Territory (NT)
- Common Name: CTP Insurance
- Managing Body: NT Government, through the NT WorkSafe scheme
- How it Works: The NT has a "no-fault" scheme integrated with its workers' compensation system (WorkSafe). The premium is paid with your vehicle registration, and the scheme is government-run.
- Unique Feature: The integration with the WorkSafe scheme. This means the same body manages both workplace and motor accident injury claims.
Factors That Affect Your CTP Premium
Even though prices are regulated, they can still vary based on several factors:
- Your State/ Territory: Each state has different schemes and price caps.
- Type of Vehicle: A high-performance sports car will cost more to insure than a small, safe hatchback.
- Vehicle's Gar Location: A car parked in a high-crime area will have a higher premium.
- Your Age and Driving History: In some states (like NSW), younger drivers and those with a history of at-fault accidents pay more.
- The Insurer: Even within regulated price ranges, different insurers may offer slightly different prices.
- Inflation and Claim Costs: As the cost of medical care and legal claims rises, so do CTP premiums for everyone.
Summary Table
| State / Territory | Common Name | Managing Body | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Green Slip | State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) | Choice of insurer; SIRA Personal Injury Scale. |
| VIC | TAC Levy | Transport Accident Commission (TAC) | "No-fault" scheme; single government entity. |
| QLD | CTP Insurance | Queensland Mutual Insurance Association (QMIA) | Choice of insurer; mutual-owned scheme manager. |
| WA | CTP Insurance | Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA) | Shared market model; private insurers compete. |
| SA | CTP Insurance | Motor Accident Commission (MAC) | Choice of insurer; funds Lifetime Care scheme. |
| TAS | CTP Insurance | Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB) | "No-fault" scheme; government-run. |
| ACT | CTP Insurance | ACT Government (Access Canberra) | "No-fault" scheme; fully government-run. |
| NT | CTP Insurance | NT Government (WorkSafe) | "No-fault" scheme; integrated with workers' comp. |

