NIISQ Scheme Insights: Jan-Mar 2023
Overview
This quarter, the NIISQ Agency continued to focus on engaging with stakeholders to co-design enhanced services and processes.
If you have any questions about the information below, please contact our team.
*Please note, the data contained below is reflective of NIISQ participants injured in motor vehicle accidents. Learn more about how we assist people injured in work-related accidents.
Between January and March 2023, we:
- hosted our inaugural Participant Consultation Group meeting to seek feedback on the updated MyPlan and other resources in development
- started consultation on our Treatment, care and support guidelines which will be shared for broader consultation in June and July
- liaised with Queensland Government policy teams on topics of relevance to the scheme
- continued enhancements to the Procure-to-Pay system and released updates to expand the system to more service providers
- presented at the Australian Lawyers Alliance conference to increase awareness of scheme performance.
In the April – June 2023 quarter, we will:
- commence a rollout of Participant Reference Groups to engage participants in the design of current or planned NIISQ initiatives
- finalise and consult on our Treatment, care and support guidelines and create plain language and EasyRead formats to ensure information is accessible to NIISQ participants
- continue to develop a digital platform for participant needs, goals and treatment, care and support services that will optimise reporting quality and monitoring of outcomes.
Stay in the loop
To stay informed:
Explore our graphs below to learn more about NIISQ’s current participant cohort.
Tip: When viewing this report on a smaller screen, click the labels on our graphs to view them at a larger size.
Participants
Accepted participants
All participants enter the scheme for a period of two years and receive treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ to support their rehabilitation following their serious personal injury. After two years, NIISQ reassesses the participant’s eligibility and they may become lifetime participants or exit the scheme.
In the January to March 2023 quarter, the number of lifetime participants accepted into the scheme continued to increase in line with actuarial expectations.
Lifetime exited participants
For some individuals, the treatment, care and support provided has been effective in supporting a recovery that means they no longer meet the threshold for serious personal injury requiring lifetime funding. This quarter, four participants exited the scheme after receiving treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ.
Injury type
The main type of injury experienced by NIISQ participants is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), regardless of their location or demographic profile.
Participant role at motor vehicle accident
We continue to see an over-representation of motorcycle riders and vulnerable road users in the scheme. Less than 5% of vehicles registered in Queensland are motorcycles but more than one fifth of NIISQ participants were riding a motorcycle during the accident.
Participant age and gender
Young males aged 16-30 continue to be the main cohort who participate in the scheme.
Participant age and injury type
Participants who have sustained a TBI tend to be younger than those who have sustained other injuries such as spinal cord injury.
Participant location
Most scheme participants are located in the Greater Brisbane area with North Queensland being the next most common location.
Payments for treatment, care and support (TCS)
Payments by service type
More than 50% of service payments made on behalf of participants are for attendant care and support.
Legal services and claims
Participant with compulsory third party (CTP) insurance claims
NIISQ is a no-fault scheme, which means people who are seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents may be eligible for treatment, care and support regardless of whether they caused the accident. For participants who were not at fault, they may be eligible for a CTP insurance claim against the at-fault party, in addition to NIISQ. Learn more about NIISQ participants who may also have a CTP insurance claim.
Legal representation
Participants with a CTP insurance claim may be eligible to receive a lump sum payment if they are determined to have contributory negligence of less than 50% for the accident. Since the scheme began in 2016, participants in that category opted the following way at conference:
- 26 participants were eligible and attended a settlement conference that resulted in a resolution
- Of those 26 participants, 20 took a lump sum from both the insurer and NIISQ
- 6 participants opted to take the insurer lump sum but decided to stay in NIISQ
Last updated: November 2023