11 Apr 2019
In addition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, there are a number of other government backed programs that support people who acquire a disability. In this article, we take a look at the supports related to the National Injury Insurance Scheme and the state-based compensation.
The National Injury Insurance Scheme and state-based compensation
The Australian Government is currently working with States and Territories to progressively implement the National Injury Insurance Scheme .
The scheme is a federated model and it aims to replace the exiting state-based no-fault schemes and provide improved consistency, lifetime care and support for people who have sustained a catastrophic injury after a motor vehicle, work, medical or general accident.
Today, there are large differences across state based accident schemes, which is unfair and illogical. Some States and Territories arrangements leave many people with catastrophic injury unable to access compensation, services and supports (for example, an accident where nobody was at fault).
Over time it is assumed the National Injury Insurance Scheme will take the best from existing state-based schemes, throw out the worst, and harmonise into a national scheme that has choice and control, consistency and fairness at its heart.
The types of injuries which are considered to be catastrophic:
- Spinal cord injury
- Brain injury
- Amputations
- Burns
- Permanent blindness
Non NDIS Support Schemes By State/Territory
Below you can find the existing government state-based no-fault schemes and compensations across four main accident areas:
| Victoria | NSW | Queensland | South Australia | |
| Motor Vehicle | TAC | iCare Lifetime Care & Support Scheme | NIIS QLD | Lifetime Support Scheme |
| Workplace | Worksafe | WorkCover | NIIS QLD | Return to Work SA |
| Medical/public liability* | Common law | Common law | Common law | Common law |
| Consumers | No age restrictionself-manage | No age restrictionCan self-manage | No age restrictionCan self-manage | No age restrictionCan self-manage |
The types of supports that people receive under these schemes:
- Medical treatment
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other forms of rehabilitation
- Aids and equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Attendant care and domestic services
- Help to return to study or work.
Need Support?
CareAbout are experts on matching you with the right care and support. We are partnered with many service providers who are accredited to provide care and support under various injury compensation programs.
*There is a continuing discussion on how to respond to people who were injured by medical accidents. At this point in time, the best way to get support is through agencies and common law actions
