INSURING YOUR CAR
What does CTP Insurance and MAI Insurance cover?
26 June 2026
If you’re a car owner, you’ve probably heard of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance or Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) Insurance. However, you may be unclear on how it works and who it covers in the event of a motor vehicle crash. Here’s what you should know.
What is CTP Insurance?
CTP Insurance, also known as a Green Slip in New South Wales, is mandatory and can help cover costs related to injuries sustained by people involved in a motor vehicle crash.
NSW CTP Insurance must be purchased before you register your vehicle.
What is MAI Insurance?
MAI Insurance is mandatory for vehicles registered in the ACT and provides cover for costs associated with injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents.
It can help affected people with treatment, care, and lost income benefits for up to five years, regardless of who was at fault.
When you register your vehicle with Access Canberra, you can choose your MAI insurer, so the total cost of your vehicle registration will vary depending on the insurer you pick.
You can choose a licensed insurer, such as GIO, when registering your vehicle.
Learn more about MAI Insurance
How does CTP and MAI Insurance work?
CTP and MAI Insurance schemes are legislated based on the state or territory where your vehicle is registered. These schemes are provided either by government bodies or by private insurers, such as GIO.
In most states and territories, CTP or MAI Insurance is attached to the vehicle’s registration. However, if you live in NSW, you must obtain a CTP Green Slip before registering your vehicle.
What does CTP and MAI cover?
NSW CTP Insurance covers:
- Your liability for injuries caused to third parties in a motor vehicle accident.
- The liability of other people who drive your vehicle for injuries caused to third parties.
- Reasonable and necessary treatment and care expenses as well as lost income benefits.
- Caravans and trailers are usually included under the Green Slip of the towing vehicle.
ACT MAI Insurance covers:
- Injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident for which you’re responsible.
- Costs including medical treatment and lost income benefits for up to 5 years.
What NSW CTP & ACT MAI don’t cover:
- Damage to your vehicle.
- Damage to other people’s vehicles or property.
Does CTP and MAI cover any driver?
CTP and MAI Insurance generally cover any driver permitted to use the vehicle for personal injury liability to others (passengers, pedestrians, other drivers). While it covers not-at-fault injuries in NSW/ACT, it usually does not cover the at-fault driver's own injuries.
Is CTP Insurance compulsory?
Driving without CTP Insurance is illegal in all states and territories. CTP Insurance is mandatory and is a required component of registering a vehicle for use on public roads.
When to consider NSW CTP Green Slip Insurance
Buying a car from a dealer
If you’re based in NSW, your car dealer will usually take care of the registration and associated CTP Green Slip. If you’re buying a used car, these will be transferred to you as the new owner, as part of the sale – as long as you’re an existing Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) customer.
If you don’t hold a current driver’s licence or have never had a NSW vehicle registered in your name, you’ll need to be set up as a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) customer first. To do this, visit a Service NSW centre with proof of your identity.
If, for some reason, the dealer doesn’t organise the vehicle’s registration for you, you can follow the below steps for purchasing a second-hand car privately.
Buying a second-hand car privately
When purchasing a used car from a private seller, you’ll need to transfer the NSW registration into your name within 14 days. To do this, you’ll need to:
- Make sure the previous owner has lodged a Notice of Disposal (NOD).
- Pay the associated transfer costs, either online or at a TfNSW service centre.
When you privately purchase an unregistered second-hand car, you’ll need an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection (AUVIS), also known as a Blue Slip. This applies to all vehicles that aren’t registered in NSW.
Selling a vehicle privately, or registering your vehicle in another state
If you’re selling or disposing a vehicle, you need to let TfNSW know as soon as possible by submitting a Notice of Disposal (NOD).
Does CTP transfer with registration?
If you’re moving interstate, check with your new state’s vehicle registration agency to learn how to make the transfer. This is important to check if your CTP transfers with registration for your new home state.
You can only cancel your CTP Green Slip under limited circumstances, including the de-registering of the vehicle. In these cases, you’ll need to supply a confirmation of cancellation letter from TfNSW.
If you purchased CTP Insurance from GIO, call us on 13 10 10 for more information.
Renewing your registration
To make sure your NSW registration doesn’t lapse, renew your CTP policy well ahead of your registration expiry. Keep in mind, you can’t renew your NSW registration until TfNSW confirms your CTP Green Slip is valid.
If your vehicle is over five years old, you may also need an eSafety Check, also known as a Pink Slip. Your registration papers will state whether an inspection is required. If a Pink Slip is required:
1. The Safety Inspection Report (Pink Slip) needs to be obtained first.
2. Followed by the Green Slip (CTP Insurance).
3. Once these steps are completed, you can renew your vehicle registration.
The Pink Slip confirms roadworthiness, while the Green Slip is mandatory insurance required for registration.
Renewing a GIO NSW CTP policy is easy
To renew your GIO NSW CTP Insurance policy, visit our NSW CTP payments page to pay online, without needing to login.
Once you’ve purchased your CTP Insurance, GIO will send the policy details to TfNSW electronically. If you pay online, by phone, or at a GIO Agency, your payment will reach TfNSW within one hour. It can take up to two business days if you pay at an Australia Post location.
Once TfNSW receives your policy details, you can renew your registration online at the Service NSW website. Learn how you can choose to receive your CTP Insurance documents electronically.
Read more:
Buying a car at an online auction: Your handy guide
What to check when renewing your car insurance
Car registration costs in Australia
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 trading as GIO. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
