The CTP claim form, explained section by section

Get the current form

You can get the form from SIRA's website, from Service NSW or from the CTP insurer. Always use the current version. Get the current form (PDF) (opens in a new tab). If you lodge online through Service NSW (opens in a new tab), you answer much the same questions on screen instead.

This guide follows the sections of the form. The current version may number or word them a little differently, so follow the form in front of you.

Before you start

It helps to have these ready:

• the police event number, or other proof of the accident such as photos or witness statements
• your Certificate of Fitness from your doctor
• the date, time and exact place of the accident, with the nearest cross streets
• the number plates of the vehicles involved
• hospital or ambulance details, if you had them
• details of any earlier injury to the same part of your body
• payslips, or business activity statements or an accountant's letter if you're self-employed, if you're claiming lost income
• your bank details, for payments.

The form asks for your Medicare number and bank details. Those go only on the form you send to the insurer or to Service NSW. Never give them to us: we don't need them to help you.

Section 1: Your details

Your name, date of birth, contact details and address, how you'd like the insurer to contact you, and how you'd like to be paid. It also asks whether you've made a CTP claim for an injury before and, if so, the date, the claim number and the insurer.

If you need an interpreter, the form lets you say which language you prefer.

Section 2: The declaration

You declare that, as far as you know, the information on the form is true and correct. Serious penalties apply for knowingly giving false or misleading information. Check every answer before you sign and date it.

The claim form lets a family member or representative fill it in for someone else, with a short note explaining who they are and why. Check the form's instructions for who signs.

Section 3: The accident and your injuries

This is the heart of the form. It asks for:

• the police event number (for example E12345678). If you don't have it yet, you can still lodge: get it from 131 444 or a police station
• the date and approximate time of the accident
• where it happened, as exactly as you can (street, nearest cross street, suburb)
• whether you were the driver, a passenger, a cyclist, a pedestrian or something else
• what happened, in your own words
• every injury you received, including psychological injuries
• details of all the vehicles involved, as far as you know them
• the number plate of the vehicle you believe was most at fault. If that isn't clear yet, the form lets you say it's still being determined.

Describe what happened simply and factually. Stick to what you saw and felt. You don't need to argue about fault.

Lodging more than 28 days after the accident? For accidents from 1 April 2023, include a short, honest explanation for the delay. When deciding whether your explanation is full and satisfactory, the insurer looks at things like whether you knew you could claim, legal incapacity, and illness or injury that stopped you claiming in time.

Sections 4 and 5: Your health and treatment

Whether you were treated at hospital, which hospital, whether you went by ambulance, and whether and when you were discharged. Attach evidence of treatment, such as invoices, a hospital report and your Certificate of Fitness.

The form also asks whether you already had an illness or injury affecting the same or similar parts of your body. Answer honestly, with an approximate date. If you're not sure, say so.

Sections 6 to 8: Work and income

Only fill these in if you're claiming for lost income. They ask about time off work, your employment status, your usual job, your employer, and your earnings at the time of the accident. Include overtime, regular bonuses and commission.

They also ask whether you were getting Centrelink payments, and whether the insurer can get your wage details directly from your employer.

Proof of earnings means payslips or tax invoices. If you're self-employed, give evidence of your earnings over the last 12 months, such as business activity statements or a letter from your accountant.

Until your pre-accident earnings can be worked out, the insurer may pay an interim amount. If the correct amount turns out to be higher, it must pay you the difference within 10 business days. More: weekly payments.

Sections 9 to 11: Privacy and authority

These explain how your personal and health information is used. When you sign, you let the insurer collect and exchange information with your treating doctors, the police, property damage insurers, your employer or accountant, other insurers, Centrelink, Medicare, the Lifetime Care and Support Authority and SIRA.

Read this part before you sign. If you have questions about it, ask the insurer, or ask us.

Filling it in for someone else

The claim form lets a family member or representative fill it in for someone else, with a short note explaining who they are and why. Check the form's instructions for who signs. See claiming for someone else.

Common mistakes

• Sending it to the wrong insurer. It gets transferred, but checking first avoids delay. See find your CTP insurer.
• A missing signature or date on the declaration.
• Vague injuries, like "sore". Name each injury and where it hurts, including anything psychological.
• Leaving questions blank. Write "not applicable" where a question doesn't apply to you.
• Not keeping a copy of the form and attachments.
• No explanation for a delay when you're lodging more than 28 days after the accident.

Lodging it

A claim can be lodged online through Service NSW with a MyServiceNSW account, or the form sent to the insurer by email or registered post. Keep a copy of everything and note the date it went. See how to make a CTP claim.

How we help

We'll go through every section with you, help you get the wording clear and help get your claim to the insurer.