Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 15 NOVEMBER 2024

Inequities plague New South Wales motor accident injuries scheme

Carroll & O'Dea
Explore more from Carroll & O'Dea

Need for a comprehensive review of the motor accident injuries system in New South Wales.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Tim Concannon
Tim Concannon
Author LinkedIn connections

This article was first published in the October 2024 Legal Updates.

Introduced in 2017, the Motor Accident Injuries Act aimed to create a "hybrid" scheme, combining common law damages and a no-fault statutory benefits system. However, significant limitations and inequities continue to plague the system in New South Wales. LSJ spoke with personal injury lawyer Tim Concannon to delve into these concerns.

In 2022, the Act was amended following a statutory review with critical changes such as renaming "minor injury" to "threshold injury" and extending statutory benefits for loss of wages and medical treatment from 26 to 52 weeks.

A missed opportunity

While the rebranding of the terminology addressed the problematic nature of using the term "minor" to describe injuries that could be quite severe, the definition remained the same, which was considered a missed opportunity to overhaul the definition and left room for inequity to persist.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

How To Draft A Defence And Reply

Queensland civil procedure requires defendants to respond to each factual allegation with precision—admissions, denials, or non-admissions must be properly explained, while inadequate responses risk being treated as admissions. Replies serve a distinct and limited purpose, addressing only new matters raised in the defence that could affect the claim's maintainability or introduce unexpected factual questions.
AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Stonegate Legal
Stonegate Legal
Article

Injured While Working As A Delivery Driver? New Protections For Gig Workers.

New minimum standards effective from 17 August 2026 introduce personal accident insurance requirements for delivery drivers and riders working through digital platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo. These protections address a critical gap for gig economy workers who, as independent contractors, have historically fallen outside traditional workers compensation schemes when injured on the job.
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea
Article

Case Note On Australian Capital Territory (Represented By ACT Education Directorate) v Jack Gibson [2026] FWCFB 110

Mr Gibson was employed as a teacher in an ACT high school from January 2023 until his dismissal on 30 August 2024. It was alleged that he initiated and engaged in extensive ongoing electronic communications with female students on social media, drove students to and from non-school related sporting events, and took a photo of students (who were clothed) in an ice bath.
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea
Article

The Scope Of A School’s Duty Of Care Revisited

An 11-year-old student suffered a back injury during a long jump trial at a school athletics carnival, leading to a significant Court of Appeal decision that clarifies schools' duty of care obligations. The case examines whether basic safety measures like adequate sand depth and regular pit maintenance constitute reasonable precautions that schools must take to protect students during sporting activities.
AustraliaConsumer Protection
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea
Article

AI Glasses And Privacy: Are Our Laws Keeping Up?

Australia's new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy, which commenced in June 2025, is being tested against emerging AI-powered smart glasses technology that can record audio and video discreetly. As these devices become more sophisticated and less detectable, questions arise about whether current privacy laws adequately protect individuals from covert surveillance and data collection in both public and private settings.
AustraliaPrivacy
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea
Article

Long Service Entitlements In NSW

After five years of continuous service in New South Wales, employees may qualify for pro rata long service leave payments under specific circumstances—even before reaching the standard 10-year threshold. Understanding when these entitlements arise, particularly in cases of illness, incapacity, or pressing necessity, can significantly impact both employees facing career transitions and employers managing termination obligations.
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea
Article

2026 Tour De France: Anti-Doping Polices And Enforcement In The Spotlight

The 2026 Tour de France sparked unprecedented controversy when top competitors Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar underwent overnight anti-doping tests on the eve of a crucial stage, raising questions about testing protocols and athlete rights. Following Vingegaard's race-ending crash the next day, the cycling world debated whether the disruptive testing procedures violated established standards and contributed to the incident. This examination explores the complex hierarchy of anti-doping authority, the le
FranceMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea
Article

Can I Return To Work While I Am Receiving Workers Compensation Benefits?

Injured workers in New South Wales often wonder whether they can continue receiving workers compensation benefits while returning to their job. The workers compensation scheme actively encourages safe return to work where medically appropriate, but the process involves careful management of medical certificates, suitable duties, injury management plans, and rehabilitation providers to ensure both recovery and proper benefit calculations.
AustraliaEmployment and HR
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea