Greenslips 4 Earth (NSW only)
- Compare 6 CTP insurers in NSW
- Simple online calculator
- 1 tree planted per policy sold
Compulsory third party insurance (CTP)
Your guide to CTP; what it is, where to get it and how much it’ll cost you.
Compulsory third party insurance (known as CTP or greenslip) is mandatory in Australia — you must have this cover to drive on our roads. If you're in New South Wales or Queensland, you'll need to purchase CTP before you can register your car. If you're anywhere else in Australia, CTP is included in your rego costs.
Getting CTP can seem like a convoluted process but that's where we come in — we're here to make it as simple as possible for you. This article will cover:
What is CTP insurance?
Compulsory third party insurance (CTP) is mandatory insurance that you have to have if you want to drive in Australia. It covers you for legal liability in the event you get into an accident and injure someone. It only covers the person involved, not the vehicle. For vehicle coverage, you'd need other types of car insurance.
For those who live in NSW and QLD, you'll need to purchase CTP before you can register your car. If your car is registered, then you already have CTP. For those anywhere else in Australia, CTP is already part of your registration fees.
CTP for a new car
If you're buying a new car and they're registering it for you then the dealership will likely organise CTP for you. This may not always be the case so it's best to check with them. All in all though, if the car is registered, this means it has CTP.
CTP for a car from a private seller
CTP insurance is linked to the vehicle, not the owner, so when you buy a car, the CTP comes with it. You'll need to organise for a transfer of registration and when this is done, the CTP is automatically brought across too.
Who offers CTP insurance in Australia?
CTP insurance is available for purchase from 7 different insurers in Australia. For NSW drivers, you can get a free quote from each of these below. These include:
- Youi
- AAMI
- GIO
- Allianz
- NRMA
- QBE
- Suncorp (QLD only)
In NSW, each insurer charges a different amount for CTP so it's worth comparing your options.
In QLD, the cost of CTP is consistent across all who offer it.
How much does CTP cost?
The cost of CTP insurance differs based on your car model, how long you've been licensed, your age and whether you use your car for private or business use. For some, CTP can be as little as $300, for others it can be as much as $1,200. Luckily, it's easy to input your details just once and get a quote from multiple insurers in one go.
Greenslips 4 Earth is a free tool that allows you to compare 6 CTP providers in NSW. It doesn't add any markup to your quote, it's just a simple online calculator. If you like what you see, you can purchase your CTP policy from there.
CTP for Queenslanders
CTP for those in QLD is much simpler — it's the same cost across all 3 insurers who offer it; QBE, Allianz & Suncorp. The exact cost will depend on your personal profile but our research shows that prices start around $370 for a class 1 car or station wagon. This is accurate as of August 2024.
"My CTP insurance was recently up for renewal so I had a look at what other providers to compare my options. The thing about CTP is that it's a legal requirement so all the products have to cover the same thing. This means that it's worth shopping around for a cheaper price because you're essentially getting the same product but for less money. I looked at all providers in NSW and picked the cheapest one. Took less than 10 minutes. "
Other types of car insurance
Compulsory third party insurance (CTP) will cover your legal liability if you injure another person. CTP doesn't cover vehicles and won't pay to repair your car or the other person's car. For that, you have a few other options.
Comprehensive car insurance
This is the highest level of cover available. It includes cover for damage to your own car as well as damage to other people's cars and property.
Third party, fire & theft
This includes cover for damage you cause to other people's cars and property, as well as cover for your own car if it's stolen or damaged by fire. Any other damage to your own car is not covered.
Third party property damage
This includes cover for damage you cause to other people's cars and property. It does not include cover for damage to your own car.
CTP stands for Compulsory Third Party — it is different to both types of third party cover mentioned above. The names are really similar so people often get them confused.
To recap: CTP is mandatory insurance that covers you for injuries to other people. Third party fire & theft and third party property damage are both types of optional insurance that are different to CTP.
FAQs
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Ask a question
I am a temporary resident. Can I claim MCIS Levies (part of CTP payment ) on my personal tax return?
Hi John,
Thanks for your question.
For any tax or financial advice, you should consult a licensed professional. I am unaware of a situation where you can claim a deduction for MCIS Levies. However, if you’ve canceled your vehicle’s registration, you may be entitled to a partial refund. If you would like to know more, please refer to the Motor Accident Guidelines.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Do i need a greenslip and third party insurance or are these the same thing?
Hi Emma,
Thanks for your question. It depends on the type of third party insurance. A Greenslip is also called Compulsory Third Party or CTP insurance. However, there is also Third Party Property Damage (also known as TPPD) and Third Party Property Damage Fire and Theft (also known as TPPFF&T), which are different, non-compulsory, types of car insurance.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I have been asked to search for a reasonable green slip company. Before I do this, I want to ensure that it is legal and above board. My question is:
This person has registered his car in his partner’s name. She doesn’t drive, but he is going to drive it instead. He himself has his own car. Is this legal and above board. I do not want to organise a Green Slip for him if this is not okay.
Laraine
Hi Laraine,
Thanks for your question. According to RMS’s Get Covered: Your Insurance Options, “In your name – make sure you insure your vehicle in your own name. If you insure your vehicle using someone else’s name (such as your parents), you may not be covered in the event of a claim.”
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
IS MCIS LEVY PAYMENT COMPULSORY?
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your question.
The MCIS Levy Payment is a part of your green slip cost and so is therefore a compulsory payment.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Where is the list of licensed insurers?
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment.
You may refer to our car insurance page to see a list of insurance brands you can compare. You may select ‘Get Quote’ to head over to their website. Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
Hope this helps,
Shirley