Annual NIISQ Insights: 2025-26
Overview
Welcome to the 2025-26 edition of NIISQ Scheme insights, where we reflect on a year of connection, innovation and impact across the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland.
This year marks a significant milestone as NIISQ celebrates 10 years of supporting Queenslanders with serious personal injuries to live meaningful, connected lives. Since 2016, more than 1,000 Queenslanders have been accepted into the Scheme, accessing the treatment, care and support they need to pursue their goals, build independence and strengthen their connection to community.
In this edition, we look back on a decade of achievement and share stories that reflect the purpose and impact of the Scheme. Meet Layne, whose determination and support from NIISQ are helping her work towards the future she always envisioned following a traumatic brain injury.
We also highlight the announcement of successful recipients of the NIISQ Research and Education Advancing Care in Health (REACH) grants, funding projects designed to improve outcomes for people living with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. You can also learn about new initiatives that help extend access to people in regional and rural Queensland.
In addition, we share updates on continuous improvement initiatives, including the release of NIISQ’s updated Provider guideline to support high-quality, participant-focused service delivery across the Scheme.
Together, these stories demonstrate the power of collaboration, research, lived experience and person-centred support in improving outcomes for Queenslanders with serious personal injuries. We thank participants, families, providers, researchers and partners who have contributed to the Scheme’s success over the past decade and continue to help shape its future.
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.
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Explore our graphs below to learn more about NIISQ’s current participant cohort.
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Participants
Applications received
When the NIISQ Agency receives an application to join the scheme, we review the application to determine eligibility. In 2025-2026, we received 139 applications, accepted 94 (on an interim basis), did not accept 39, and had 6 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, a total of 195 participants exited the scheme as a result of the treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ, with 30 of them doing so in the past 12 months.
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. A total of 95 participants have exited the scheme by accepting lump sum payments from both the CTP insurer and NIISQ, with 24 of them doing so in the past 12 months.
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 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 traumatic brain injury participants are younger than other participants. At the time of injury, more than half (54%) of participants with a traumatic brain injury were aged 30 years or younger, compared with 40% of participants with a 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:
- 129 participants have settled their CTP insurance claim.
- of those 129 participants, 102 accepted a lump sum from both the insurer and NIISQ.
- 27 participants opted to take the insurer lump sum but decided to stay in NIISQ.
Last updated: August 2026