NIISQ Scheme Insights: Jul-Sep 2025
Overview
This quarter, we focused on strengthening participant engagement, advancing digital accessibility and information security, and fostering innovative research partnerships to enhance the lives of Queenslanders with serious injuries.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact niisqcommunications@niis.qld.gov.au.
The data contained below reflects participants who were injured in motor vehicle accidents. For more information on how we assist people injured in work-related accidents, view our page on Work related accidents.
Highlights
During July-September 2025, we:
- celebrated 9 years of NIISQ, reflecting on our journey of supporting seriously injured Queenslanders.
- expanded the CogCap program to strengthen cognitive rehabilitation services across Queensland
- supported a ground-breaking mental health initiative for children and youth with brain or spinal cord injuries
- published the NIISQ annual report 2024-25, now available for stakeholders and the community
- launched the refreshed Scheme Insights and introduced the new-look NIISQ News
- partnered with Something Digital 2025 to explore the theme ‘Reimagine Human Intelligence’ and hosted a digital accessibility workshop during the event
- continued our roll out of NIISQ Direct, our participant portal, empowering participants to access services anywhere, anytime.
- welcomed new members to the Participant Reference Group (PRG) and held a successful first meeting
- expanded the Queensland Spinal Cord Injury Service (QSCIS) Knowledge Hub to better support clinicians managing spinal cord injuries.
- commenced our third participant satisfaction survey, to hear first hand from participants and their families what we’re doing well and where we can improve
- completed the co-design of an online portal for NIISQ advisers, now in pilot phase, to enhance participant support
- refined and began implementing a new operating model for frontline teams to increase participant independence and improve operational efficiency
- achieved ISO 27001 certification, a globally recognised standard for information security management
- partnered with Clinical Excellence Queensland to fund the development of centralised resources for consumers and clinicians working with acquired brain injury (ABI).
On the horizon
In the next quarter, we will:
- continue to explore co-design opportunities with service providers to streamline participant requests for treatment, care and support
- host the next PRG meeting to explore co-design opportunities and gather participant feedback
- collaborate with Clinical Excellence Queensland to launch a NIISQ Queensland Health REACH grant round, enhancing health service delivery for seriously injured individuals
- finalise funding agreements for two innovative projects: one exploring virtual reality for falls prevention in wheelchair users, and another developing an assistive device for arm and hand function
- commence work on a new strategic plan, taking us through 2029
- continue discussions with QUT to explore a partnership in an Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub, focusing on humanoid robots in the care sect.
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
Applications received
When the NIISQ Agency receives an application to join the scheme, we review the application to determine eligibility. Between July and September 2025, we received 33 applications, accepted 19 (on an interim basis), did not accept 9, and had 5 applicants pending decision.
Exited participants
People with eligible injuries enter the scheme as interim participants for up to two years and receive treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ to support their rehabilitation. During this period, we review the participant’s eligibility to remain in the scheme on a lifetime basis or to exit the scheme for various reasons.
Lifetime exited participants
For some participants, the treatment, care and support they have received has been effective in supporting a recovery that means they no longer meet the threshold for a serious personal injury that requires lifetime funding. After their lifetime eligibility assessment, 8 participants exited the scheme last quarter as a result of the treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ.
Lump sum exited participants
Participants who are eligible for lifetime funding might be eligible for a compulsory third party (CTP) insurance claim as well as NIISQ as part of their claim against the at-fault party. By taking a lump sum from both the CTP insurer and NIISQ, 7 participants exited the scheme last quarter.
Active participants
In terms of the current (active) participants in NIISQ, the number of lifetime participants continued to increase as expected. Lifetime participants now account for almost two-thirds of the total active participants.
Injury type
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be the main injury type for the NIISQ participant cohort, regardless of location or demographic differences.
Participant role in motor vehicle accident
The scheme supports a range of participants who were injured in various circumstances on Queensland roads.
Participant age and gender
Young males aged 16-30 continue to be the major cohort for NIISQ participation.
Participant age and injury type
The cohort of participants with traumatic brain injury is relatively younger in comparison to other injury types, such as spinal cord injury.
Geographical profile
While the majority of participants reside in the Greater Brisbane area, the Sunshine Coast is the next highest area by geographical profile.
Payments for treatment, care and support
Payments by service type
More than 50% of service payments made on behalf of participants are for attendant, care and support which reflects the care and respite that is necessary for people with serious personal injuries.
Legal services and claims
Participant with CTP insurance claims
NIISQ is a no-fault scheme, which means people 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 in addition to NIISQ. Just over 40% of NIISQ participants also had a CTP insurance claim.
Lump sum eligibility
Participants with a CTP insurance claim who are eligible to take a lump sum opted in the following way at conference:
- 106 participants have settled their CTP insurance claim.
- of those 106 participants, 81 accepted a lump sum from both the insurer and NIISQ.
- 25 participants opted to take the insurer lump sum but decided to stay in NIISQ.
Last updated: November 2025