Motor Accidents Compensation Scheme
The CTP Insurance scheme in the Northern Territory is referred to as the Motor Accidents Compensation (MAC) Scheme. CTP insurance is regulated under the Motor Accidents (Compensation) Act and is administered by the Territory Insurance Office (TIO) on behalf of the Northern Territory Government.
The no-fault scheme compensates all people injured in a motor vehicle crash in the Northern Territory, regardless of where they reside (NT, interstate or overseas) and regardless of where their vehicle is registered (NT or interstate).
An injured person may include pedestrians, drivers, passengers, motor cyclists and cyclists as long as their injuries were caused by, or arising out of, the use of a motor vehicle.
The scheme is funded by motor vehicle owners, through a contribution when they register their Northern Territory vehicle. When a vehicle is registered in the Northern Territory, CTP insurance is included in the registration fee.
The MAC scheme provides a range of benefits, including compensation for medical and hospital care, rehabilitation services, loss of limb and loss of earning capacity.
Benefits may be reduced if the injured person did not obey traffic regulations. No benefits are payable if you were using the vehicle unlawfully or without the consent of the owner.
If you or the person driving your NT registered vehicle is involved in a crash interstate, and deemed to be at fault, the MAC scheme will indemnify you. That is, TIO will cover the costs of personal injuries sustained by a third party.
The TIO may have the right of recovery against the driver for all monies paid to the injured third party, as a result of a crash where the driver was charged with a serious driving offence.
Registration renewal
Motor vehicle registration in the Northern Territory is controlled by the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR), under the NT Department of Transport.
The Motor Vehicle Registry sends a renewal notice out five weeks before registration expires.
Light vehicle registration inspections are conducted at five years, ten years and then annually. In NSW these checks are done after five years and then annually.
Do I need a registration sticker?
Since 1 July 2013, light vehicles (a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or less) in the NT no longer need to display a registration sticker, as is the case in NSW. All heavy vehicles (GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes, including trucks, semi-trailers, public buses and road trains) are still required to display a registration sticker.
If I move to the NT, do I need to transfer my vehicle registration?
Vehicle owners are required to transfer registration to the NT within three months of taking up residence in the NT.
To transfer your interstate registration, you will need to provide:
- A completed Application to Register a Vehicle in the NT
- Evidence of your identity and evidence of your residency in the NT
- Proof that you are the owner of the vehicle (either your interstate registration certificate or proof of acquisition (receipt for purchase) of the vehicle)
- A vehicle compliance check (confirming vehicle details eg VIN and chassis numbers)
- If the vehicle is five years old or older you will need a roadworthy check (carried out by an authorised inspector).
NT CTP and registration contacts
Territory Insurance Office (TIO): 131 TIO (846)
Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR): 1300 654 628