How long does a CTP claim take in Queensland? (2026)

Marshall FenechWritten byMarshall Fenech Last reviewed

How long does a CTP claim take in Queensland? MAIC says claims usually take 12 to 18 months to settle. Simple claims can take about six months, while complex injury claims can take two to three years or more. The law also sets fixed steps, such as a 6-month deadline for the insurer’s liability decision.

Written and fact-checked by Marshall Fenech, Editor. Legal rules checked against official Queensland sources on 21 October 2026. How we check facts.

How long does a CTP claim take: Brisbane city skyline, Queensland

Key takeaways

  • MAIC says Queensland CTP claims usually take 12 to 18 months to settle. The range runs from about 6 months to 2–3 years or more.
  • The insurer must respond to your claim form within 14 days. It must decide liability within 6 months of a compliant notice.
  • In MAIC’s data, most of the time sits between the liability decision and settlement.
  • In MAIC’s 2025–26 data, direct claims moved faster through each stage. However, MAIC notes people often seek legal help for more complex claims.
  • Accepting a settlement ends the claim, so MAIC says you don’t have to rush.

How long does a CTP claim take, according to MAIC?

MAIC says Queensland CTP claims usually take 12 to 18 months to reach settlement. However, simple claims can take six months. Complex injuries that need extensive treatment can take two to three years or more.

So how long a CTP claim will take depends on the claim itself. MAIC lists the main factors. They include the claim’s complexity, the type and severity of the injury, and recovery time. Your personal situation and the pace of negotiation also matter.

In addition, MAIC’s FAQs say minor injury claims usually settle faster when no one disputes who caused the accident. For the wider process, see our guide to car accident claims in Queensland.

What timeframes does the law set?

The Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 doesn’t set a total claim length. Instead, it fixes response times for each step. The table lists the main ones.

Statutory steps in a Queensland CTP claim. Source: Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 (current as at 1 July 2024). Checked 21 October 2026.

Step

Timeframe

Law

You give the Notice of Accident Claim Form

Earlier of 9 months after the accident (or first symptoms) and 1 month after first consulting a lawyer

MAIA s 37

Insurer says whether the notice complies and whether it will fund rehabilitation

Within 14 days of receiving it

MAIA s 39

You fix a non-compliant notice

A period the insurer specifies, at least 1 month

MAIA s 39(1)(a)(iii)

You return an additional information form

Within 1 month of the request

MAIA s 37A

Each side shares reports and documents

Within 1 month (then within 1 month of getting new ones)

MAIA ss 45, 47

Insurer admits or denies liability

Within 6 months of receiving a compliant notice

MAIA s 41(1)

Response to a written settlement offer

Within 3 months of receiving it

MAIA s 41(5)

Either side can call the compulsory conference without agreement

Once 6 months have passed since notice (later if extra information was requested)

MAIA s 51A

Mandatory final offers stay open

14 days

MAIA s 51C(6)

Court action should start

Within 60 days after the compulsory conference

MAIA s 51D

How long does each CTP claim stage take in practice?

MAIC publishes average durations by claim stage. The figures below come from MAIC’s Annual CTP scheme insights 2025–26. They cover claims finalised from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, across all insurers.

  • Most of the time sits between the liability decision and settlement.
  • MAIC says people who lodge directly tend to have shorter claims. However, it adds that this may be because people often seek legal help when a claim is more complex.
  • MAIC also reports that insurers met the 6-month liability deadline for more than 99% of claims in the last 12 months.
Source: MAIC, Annual CTP scheme insights 2025–26, average claim duration by stage (finalised claims, 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026). Checked 21 October 2026.

Stage (industry average, months)

Legally represented claims

Direct claims

Notification to compliance

1.1

0.7

Compliance to liability decision

2.0

1.3

Liability decision to settlement

19.9

4.7

Settlement to finalisation

2.3

1.9

Why does settlement usually wait?

Settlement usually waits until the effects of the injury are clear. MAIC says claims generally settle once three things are in place. The insurer has decided liability, your injury is stable, and its impact is known. For example, MAIC suggests asking your doctor whether your injuries have reached maximum medical improvement.

Timing also matters because a settlement is final. MAIC says accepting an offer ends the claim. After that, you can’t claim again for injuries from that accident. For that reason, MAIC says you don’t have to rush. Instead, take time to understand how your injuries may affect your future.

Meanwhile, treatment doesn’t have to wait for settlement. Once the insurer admits liability, or agrees to fund rehabilitation, it must provide reasonable and appropriate rehabilitation at your request (MAIA s 51(3)).

How do the compulsory conference and court affect timing?

A compulsory conference is the last formal step before court. Under MAIA s 51A, it must happen before court proceedings start. However, the parties or the court can dispense with it. At least 7 days before, each side must swap relevant documents (s 51B).

If the claim doesn’t settle at the conference, both sides must exchange mandatory final offers (s 51C). After that, court action should start within 60 days. That period can change by agreement or court order (s 51D).

Most claims never reach a hearing, though. MAIC’s 2025–26 figures for finalised claims are below.

Source: MAIC, Annual CTP scheme insights 2025–26 (claims finalised 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026). Checked 21 October 2026.

When the claim settled

Share of finalised claims (industry)

Before the compulsory conference

40.9%

At, or within 14 days of, the conference (before litigation)

31.2%

More than 14 days after the conference (before litigation)

7.7%

After court proceedings were issued

20.2%

What can make a CTP claim take longer?

Several things can stretch out how long a CTP claim takes. MAIC’s guidance and the Act point to these common ones:

  • An incomplete claim form: MAIC says the claim isn’t compliant until you provide everything required, which can delay it.
  • Late replies: MAIC says delays may occur if you don’t provide information the insurer asks for.
  • A dispute about fault: MAIC notes claims settle faster where no one disputes who caused the accident.
  • Changing injuries: you must report a significant change within 1 month (s 45(3)), so settlement may move back.
  • A child’s claim: MAIC says a court or the Public Trustee must approve the settlement.
  • Serious injuries: NIISQ participants start as interim participants for up to two years, according to NIISQ.

What can you do to keep your CTP claim moving?

You can’t control how long a CTP claim will take, but some steps help. MAIC’s tips for unrepresented claimants include asking for your claim number and your case manager’s name. MAIC also suggests reading everything the insurer sends.

Also, respond within the legal timeframes and keep records of treatment, receipts and lost wages. If the insurer misses its own deadlines, MAIC suggests raising it with the insurer first. Then ask for an internal review, and after that contact MAIC.

Finally, think about timing before you see a lawyer, because a first consultation can start the 1-month notice clock. Our Notice of Accident Claim Form guide and lawyer vs claiming directly guide explain more.

Frequently asked questions

Six months. Under s 41 of the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994, the insurer must admit or deny liability within 6 months of a compliant notice. It must also state any contributory negligence as a percentage. MAIC reports insurers met this requirement for more than 99% of claims in 2025–26.

Often, yes, so treatment needn’t wait for the end of your CTP claim. Within 14 days of your claim form, the insurer must say whether it will pay rehabilitation costs. Once it admits liability or agrees to fund rehabilitation, it must provide reasonable services at your request. Ask the insurer for pre-approval before treatment where you can.

MAIC’s 2025–26 data shows longer average stage times for legally represented claims, especially between the liability decision and settlement. However, MAIC says this may be because people often seek legal help when their claim is more complex. So the figures don’t show that using a lawyer, by itself, makes a claim slower.

There is no fixed deadline to settle, but there are deadlines to keep the claim alive. Court proceedings generally must start within 3 years. If you gave notice in time, s 57 lets proceedings start later. That is within 6 months after notice, or longer if the court allows. After a compulsory conference, court action should start within 60 days.

They can involve an extra step. MAIC says a court or the Public Trustee must approve any final settlement of a child’s claim. It checks the settlement is fair and in the child’s best interests. Also, a child generally has until their 21st birthday to start court proceedings.

Sources

Time limits and steps for car accident (CTP) claims in Queensland

How a CTP claim works in Queensland: the Notice of Accident Claim Form deadline, Nominal Defendant claims, court…

Read the guide

How to lodge a Notice of Accident Claim Form for a CTP claim in Queensland

How to lodge the Notice of Accident Claim Form for a Queensland CTP claim: deadlines, documents and what the insurer…

Read the guide

Lawyer vs claiming directly with the CTP insurer in Queensland

Lawyer vs claiming directly with a Queensland CTP insurer: what MAIC says and how the costs thresholds work from 1…

Read the guide

Whiplash compensation in Queensland and how general damages are assessed

How whiplash compensation in Queensland works: the Injury Scale Value, 2025 Regulation neck injury ranges and…

Read the guide

Nominal Defendant claim in Queensland for a hit-and-run or uninsured car

How a Nominal Defendant claim works in Queensland after a hit-and-run or a crash with an uninsured car: deadlines…

Read the guide
Marshall Fenech, Editor of Compare Personal Injury Lawyer QLD

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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