Claim farming in Queensland and your rights after a cold call (2026)
Claim farming in Queensland is illegal. It is generally an offence to cold-call or personally approach someone to push them into an injury claim, or to pay or receive money for referring a claim. The bans cover CTP, workers’ compensation and other personal injury claims, with maximum penalties of 300 penalty units.
Key takeaways
What claim farming in Queensland is
The Legal Services Commission says claim farmers “approach people and pressure them into making a claim for compensation”. They then sell the person’s details to a law practice or claims management service.
Similarly, MAIC calls them car crash scammers. For example, it says they “harass you with unwanted phone calls, texts or emails”. It also says it is against the law to contact you this way to get your details for a CTP claim.
Claim farming in Queensland can also push up costs. That is because someone pays the farmer, and the LSC suggests unexplained costs on a bill may be a sign of it.
Claim farming matters when you choose a lawyer, because the way a firm finds you says a lot. In addition, our guide on how to choose a personal injury lawyer in Queensland covers the other checks. For lawful fee rules, see our fees guide.
What the claim farming laws in Queensland ban
Queensland has two main bans, and each appears in three Acts. Firstly, one ban covers unsolicited approaches. Under PIPA s 71B, a person “must not personally approach or contact another person … and solicit or induce the second person to make a claim”. Contact includes in person, mail, phone, email or other electronic messages.
Secondly, the other ban covers paid referrals. Under PIPA s 71, a person must not give or receive consideration for a claim referral. “Consideration” means a fee or other benefit. However, it excludes non-money gifts or hospitality worth $200 or less.
Overall, these rules matter for every type of injury claim. The table shows where each ban sits.
|
Claim type |
Paid referrals banned |
Cold approaches banned |
|---|---|---|
|
CTP (motor vehicle) |
MAIA s 74 |
MAIA s 75 |
|
Workers’ compensation |
WCRA s 325R |
WCRA s 325T |
|
Other personal injury (public liability, medical negligence) |
PIPA s 71 |
PIPA s 71B |
Penalties for claim farming in Queensland
Each offence above carries a maximum penalty of 300 penalty units. From 1 July 2026, one penalty unit is $172.70. So the maximum for an individual is $51,810 per offence.
There are further consequences for law firms. Under PIPA s 71D, if a court convicts an associate of a law practice, the practice can’t recover any fees or costs, including disbursements, for that claim. It must also repay any amount it received. Likewise, MAIA s 77 and WCRA s 325V say the same.
Queensland also bans touting at accident scenes and hospitals. Under PIPA s 67, people such as tow truck operators, ambulance officers and hospital workers must not solicit a claim there. They also must not pass on a particular law firm’s name or number.
Red flags for claim farming in Queensland
MAIC lists several warning signs for CTP scams. They are also common signs of claim farming in Queensland for other injury claims.
What to do if someone contacts you
MAIC’s advice is simple. Don’t feel pressured, and don’t give any personal details. Ask the caller for proof of identity, such as a website and email address. Then search the number online, and hang up.
If you already signed with a lawyer after a cold call, you have options. For example, the LSC says you can ask your lawyer for a copy of your costs agreement and an itemised bill. You can also get independent advice from another lawyer. In addition, our guide on how to change personal injury lawyer mid-claim explains how a file moves.
Also remember the cooling-off period. Under LPA s 323, a no win, no fee agreement must let you end it by written notice within at least 5 clear business days.
Claim farming safeguards in the Queensland claims process
Queensland also adds checks inside the claim itself. When a law practice acts on a claim, its supervising principal must complete a law practice certificate. Under PIPA s 8B, the certificate states that no one at the practice paid or received consideration for the referral. It also states that no one cold-approached the claimant in breach of s 71B.
Also, the supervising principal must sign it and verify it by statutory declaration. Giving a false or misleading certificate is itself an offence. Similarly, CTP and WorkCover claims have matching certificate rules.
In addition, an insurer that suspects claim farming may pass information to the regulator. Together, these steps mean claim farming in Queensland carries real risks for anyone involved.
Where to report claim farming in Queensland
The LSC’s claim farming page lists who to report to, by claim type.
How lawful firms find clients
Of course, not every contact from a law firm is illegal. The ban in PIPA s 71B doesn’t apply in some cases. For example, it doesn’t apply where no one expects or receives payment for the approach. It also doesn’t apply where a law practice already acts for you or your relative and reasonably believes you won’t object.
Also, the law treats public advertising differently from a referral. Under PIPA s 70, a “claim referral” doesn’t include advertising made to the public or a group. However, PIPA s 66 limits what personal injury advertising can say.
This site takes no referral fees and never contacts people about claims. You can read how we list firms on our methodology page. Our guide How to check a lawyer’s reviews and credentials explains other checks.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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About the author
Marshall Fenech, Editor
Marshall Fenech is the editor of Compare Personal Injury Lawyer QLD. He researches Queensland personal injury law firms and claim rules, checks every fact against public sources such as the Queensland Law Society, MAIC, WorkCover Queensland and Queensland legislation, and dates each check. He does not give legal advice.
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