Motor vehicle accident payouts, by state
Australia's motor accident schemes split into fault-based (NSW, QLD, SA, WA)
and no-fault (Victoria, Tasmania, NT, hybrid in ACT). The scheme determines
both who can claim and how much they recover.
New South Wales, CTP
Average claim: $118,000. Hybrid no-fault statutory benefits for the first
6 months, then fault-based for ongoing benefits and lump-sum damages. Threshold for non-economic
loss damages: 10% whole-person impairment.
→ NSW guide
Victoria, TAC
No-fault scheme. Anyone injured in a Victorian transport accident receives statutory benefits
regardless of who caused the crash. Common-law damages available for "serious injury" certified by
the courts. → VIC guide
Queensland, CTP
Fault-based scheme through the at-fault driver's CTP insurer. Settlements range $50,000–$500,000+
for typical cases, with no statutory cap on common-law damages.
→ QLD guide
Western Australia, ICWA
Fault-based for general injuries; no-fault Catastrophic Injuries Support Scheme (CISS) for severe
cases. Limitation period 3 years from accident. → WA guide
South Australia, CTP
Fault-based, with no-fault Lifetime Support Scheme for catastrophic injuries.
→ SA guide
Workers compensation payouts, by state
Every Australian state runs its own workers comp scheme with different benefit structures,
impairment thresholds and common-law access rights. The national average lump-sum figure of
~$61,000 hides enormous variation between minor permanent impairment and catastrophic injury
common-law settlements.
NSW, icare
Statutory weekly payments (95% then 80% of pre-injury earnings), medical expenses, and lump-sum
permanent impairment from $22,000 to $700,000+. 15% WPI threshold for work-injury (common-law)
damages. IRO funds free legal advice for injured workers in disputes ,
unique to NSW. → NSW guide
Victoria, WorkCover
Weekly compensation, medical and like services, impairment benefit, and common-law damages
for "serious injury" certified by the courts. → VIC guide
Queensland, WorkCover
Statutory benefits plus uncapped common-law damages for negligence-based injury. Among the more
generous schemes in the country for serious-injury claimants.
→ QLD guide
Western Australia
New Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 modernised the scheme. 15% WPI threshold
for common-law damages. → WA guide
How compensation is calculated in Australia
Personal injury compensation in Australia generally combines several "heads of damage":
- Past economic loss, wages and superannuation lost from the date of injury to settlement.
- Future economic loss, projected earnings you'll lose because of permanent restrictions.
- Past medical expenses, receipts for treatment, medications, physio, surgery.
- Future medical expenses, actuarially calculated lifetime treatment costs.
- Care and attendant services, paid and gratuitous (Griffiths v Kerkemeyer) care.
- Non-economic loss, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life. Typically subject to thresholds.
- Out-of-pocket expenses, modifications, equipment, travel to treatment.
Why the range is so wide
Two people can have the "same" injury and receive vastly different payouts. The drivers are:
- Pre-injury earnings, a high-income worker loses more in economic loss.
- Age at injury, younger claimants have longer future earnings to compensate.
- Permanence and impairment percentage, assessed by approved medical specialists.
- Fault, fault-based schemes pay more if you're not at fault.
- Quality of medical evidence, under-documented injuries pay less, irrespective of severity.
- Common-law access, clearing the negligence threshold can multiply settlements 5–10×.
This is why a "compensation calculator" is at best a rough indicator. The right answer comes
from a specialist lawyer reviewing your medical evidence, employment record, and the specific
scheme rules in your state. Take the free 60-second eligibility check
and we'll match you with one.