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CTP Insurance Northern Territory
CTP Insurance Northern Territory
Written by
Kervin Mathew
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettCompare car insurance policies the easy way
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What is CTP insurance?
Long story short
Mandatory MAC for NT motorists
The MAC Scheme, NT’s CTP insurance, is legally required for all registered vehicles. It’s included in your registration and costs $552.05 annually (plus GST).1Northern Territory Government – Light Vehicle Registration Fees
No-fault coverage for injury or death
The MAC Scheme covers injury or death caused by accidents, regardless of fault. Benefits include medical costs, rehabilitation, and income support.
There are some instances where you’re not covered
The MAC Scheme excludes vehicle damage, personal belongings and even treatments administered by unregistered professionals or outside Australia.
Consider other insurance to cover vehicle or property damage
As the MAC Scheme excludes vehicle and property damage, consider comprehensive or third-party property insurance for complete peace of mind.
What is CTP insurance?
In the Northern Territory, CTP insurance is better known as the Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme, or the MAC Scheme for short. Easy to remember!
The MAC Scheme is a no-fault scheme. Regardless of who is at fault, it provides cover and benefits when a motor vehicle accident results in the injury or death of others.
Keep in mind, though, that there are exceptions to this rule. Think motorists using an unregistered vehicle, such as a privately owned e-scooter, or drivers, riders, or passengers involved in criminal activity.
The Top End’s own Territory Insurance Office (TIO), a division of Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, manages the MAC Scheme privately on behalf of the Northern Territory Government.
Do I need CTP insurance in the NT?
Yes. Compulsory third-party (CTP) insurance is mandatory across Australia, so all NT motorists are legally required to have it. In most states and territories, drivers are required to pay for it as part of their vehicle registration costs.
So, sure, it’s an added expense, but the benefits are plain to see. That’s because CTP insurance is integral to ensuring road safety and helping those involved in motor accidents avoid financial hardship.
It’s a different story when you cause damage to another person’s vehicle or property, though. CTP effectively covers only bodily injury and death. You’ll be left high and dry with a hefty repair bill if you accidentally sideswipe someone’s prized HiLux or unintentionally park your car on a friend’s (or stranger’s) porch.
That’s why having an additional layer of protection on top of CTP, such as comprehensive car insurance or third-party property, can help you out in a tight spot.
NT motor vehicle facts and figures
- In June 2024, there were 163,554 active driver’s licences in the NT.2Road Safety NT – Driver licensing and registration statistics
- 203,514 vehicles were registered in the NT as at 1 July 2024.3As above
- In 2021, the estimated average age of a motor vehicle in the NT was a little over ten years old.4Australian Bureau of Statistics – Motor Vehicle Census, Australia
How much does CTP cost in the NT?
Your car or ‘light vehicle’ registration includes MAC Scheme costs. So, as a Territorian motorist, you can spare yourself the trouble of shopping around for CTP insurance.
While NT registration costs depend on everything from personalised number plates to your car’s weight, engine size and the number of cylinders it has, your yearly MAC costs are $552.05 ($46.00 a month) plus GST.5Northern Territory Government – Light Vehicle Registration Fees
What does CTP insurance cover in the NT?
The MAC Scheme provides financial compensation for any third parties injured in a motor vehicle accident in or outside the NT.
Specifically, the MAC Scheme provides personal injury cover for:
- passengers in your vehicle
- other drivers or motorcyclists and their passengers
- pedestrians and cyclists
The MAC Scheme provides a range of benefits for injury victims, including covering ‘reasonable’ expenses for hospital care, medical and dental treatment, rehabilitation services, disability-related expenses, and allowance for loss of income.
TIO handles all claims-related services, from filing the initial claim to organising care with medical providers.
What does CTP insurance not generally cover in the NT?
The NT’s MAC Scheme does not cover:
- Vehicle damage – There’s no coverage for your car, motorbike, e-scooter, bicycle, or any vehicle that you own. This includes towing or storage charges.
- Damage to personal items – Mobile phones, helmets, gloves or clothes are not covered under the MAC Scheme.
- Unrelated injuries – Any injuries that weren’t caused by the motor vehicle accident in question won’t be covered.
- Unconventional treatments – Treatments considered unsafe, unnecessary, or ineffective are generally excluded from CTP cover.
- Treatment from unregistered personnel – Your treatment must be administered by registered, qualified or authorised health professionals. If not, no cover.
- Treatment outside Australia – You’re not covered for treatments or medical services you receive in countries other than Australia.
Who isn’t covered under CTP Insurance in the NT?
While the ‘big-MAC’ Scheme offers no-fault motor accident insurance, there are still a few exceptions to the rule. These include:
- drivers of unregistered vehicles (although passengers might be covered by CTP in this instance)
- drivers of vehicles including dune buggies, motocross bikes, quad bikes and go-karts
- people involved in motorsports and/or high-speed tests
- drivers who are injured in a motor accident while at work (in this case, drivers could be eligible for workers compensation)
- motorists and passengers operating with the intent to cause death or injury or those involved in criminal activity
Helpful tip:
Keep in mind, the MAC Scheme doesn’t cover vehicle theft. And sadly, the NT has seen its car theft rate more than double in the past few years. To safeguard yourself, consider taking out third-party fire and theft insurance. Or even better, get comprehensive cover for all-round protection.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
What if I need to make a CTP claim?
If you’re injured in a road accident in the NT, you should try to lodge a MAC claim as soon as you can. Here’s how you can go about it:
Be mindful of time limits to lodge a claim – within six months of the accident, or three years at the maximum, if you’re an adult. For minors, a parent or guardian can lodge a MAC claim within three years of their 18th birthday.
As far as supporting documents go, hold on to those medical certificates and reports, payslips and tax returns if applicable, any other insurance policies you hold, and a police accident report reference number if you were driving.
Frequently asked questions
Is basic CTP Insurance all I need in the NT?
Fair warning: while the MAC Scheme can pay for injury and death claims because of a motor accident, it doesn’t cover the cost of car repairs or property damage. Ouch!
To make sure you don’t get hit with a massive repair bill, it could be a good idea to take out additional car insurance in the form of comprehensive or third-party property cover.
While some drivers may try to cut costs by skipping car insurance altogether, there are smarter ways to save money. The value of having adequate cover may only become apparent when you’re faced with the unexpected and need it most.
Knowing you’re protected with an appropriate insurance policy could help give you greater peace of mind behind the wheel.
What’s the difference between comprehensive and third-party cover?
Comprehensive car insurance covers your vehicle for collisions, as well as theft, fire, vandalism, weather damage and more.
In addition to providing the highest level of cover for your vehicle, comprehensive policies also feature a range of optional benefits. These may include:
- Hire car reimbursement when yours is being repaired
- Towing and roadside assistance for emergencies
- Windscreen cover, key replacement and more
Third-party property insurance is a more basic option, which only reimburses you for damage to other vehicles in the event of an accident.
You might consider this type of policy if your car is worth very little, but you might want to make sure that you’re not stuck paying the repair bill for someone else’s vehicle. Heaven forbid it’s a Tesla!
Whichever option you choose, taking out cover in addition to your CTP insurance can be well worth your while (and the extra cash). Without it, you could be taking a potential financial risk every time you get behind the wheel.
Can I get a refund on my CTP insurance?
Because the MAC Scheme costs are written into your vehicle registration, you might be able to get a refund if you cancel your registration altogether.
Reasons for an eligible cancellation can include: your vehicle is being written off or no longer being driven, if it’s stolen, or if it gets registered outside the NT. If you’re looking to cancel for a refund, you will also need to be more than one month away from your rego’s expiry date.
Remember, you must be the vehicle’s registered owner or provide written permission from the owner to a selling agent or nominee. If your vehicle was stolen or written off, a police report might be necessary.
Looking for car insurance options?
The MAC Scheme certainly is a gem, like the Top End itself. But if you prefer some added protection for your four-wheeled treasure, you can start comparing iSelect’s range of car insurance policies. Let’s get digging!
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