Annual NIISQ Insights: 2023-24
Overview
This year we focused on engaging with our participants through co-design, ensuring the services we deliver help them to access the right support when they need it.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact niisqcommunications@niis.qld.gov.au.
The data contained below reflects NIISQ 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 the 2023-24 financial year, we:
- funded the Queensland Brain Injury Collaborative (QBIC) with the University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute, and held our inaugural brain injury awareness forum in Townsville for GPs, local clinicians and community members
- conducted a participant survey involving more than 200 participants, which yielded excellent results with 89% telling us that NIISQ plays a valuable part in their life, and 90% stating that Agency staff understood their accident-related needs
- held in-person and virtual Participant Reference Group and participant engagement sessions. Each session provided our members and other participants with opportunities to share their experiences and insight into our initiatives and projects to ensure co-design remains at the forefront of how we deliver
- expanded our research and education focus areas to help achieve better health and quality of life outcomes for participants. This included establishing new funding agreements with the University of Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast
- developed and released Treatment, care and support guidelines to enhance our decision-making, ensuring consultation and feedback was considered from stakeholders, our Participant Reference Group, and the community
- co-designed, developed and released the MyPlanning assessment tools, to help us better understand individual participant needs and goals so we can help them access the right treatment, care and support at the right time
- partnered with the Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Future Enterprise, valued stakeholders and partners to develop and pilot an online participant portal, designed to facilitate easier access to services and self-management.
On the horizon
In the coming financial year, we will:
- continue to elevate the participant experience and promote independence through further enhancements and the release of the online participant and provider portals
- continue our investment in research and initiatives that will improve participant outcomes
- undertake multiple QBIC forums in regional Queensland to spread awareness and understanding of traumatic brain injury and supports available in the community
- explore ways to help participants through learning from others and the resources and partnerships available through the Agency
- continue our focus on harnessing innovative ways to enhance operational efficiencies in the way we work, leveraging existing and emerging technologies.
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 April and June 2024, we received 30 applications, accepted 18 (on an interim basis), did not accept 7, and had 5 applicants pending decision – a total of 92 new participants entered the scheme over the last 12 months.
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, 9 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, 4 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 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, North Queensland 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. Around 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:
- 64 participants have settled their CTP insurance claim.
- of those 64 participants, 53 accepted a lump sum from both the insurer and NIISQ.
- 11 participants opted to take the insurer lump sum but decided to stay in NIISQ.
Last updated: August 2024