Compensation payout calculator and injury guide

Answer a few questions to find out whether you can claim, the time limits that apply in your state, and how your injury is ranked. A panel lawyer then gives you a real figure, free.

Updated 25 August 2026 Sources listed below

Check your claim

Step 1 of 4

Where did the accident happen? What kind of accident?

Free and confidential. The check tells you whether you may have a claim and the time limits that apply. What your claim is worth depends on your injuries and losses; a panel lawyer will assess that in your free consultation.

Compensation Payout Calculator + Injury Guide

To start your calculation tell us where you are located.

Our claim check works through the questions a lawyer would ask first: where the accident happened, what kind it was, when, and how badly you were hurt. Prefer to speak to someone? Call us free on 1800 106 107 and we can quickly let you know whether you can claim.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim For My Injury?

The amount of compensation or damages owed to plaintiffs depends on numerous factors, the most significant being:

Accident type and area of law
State in which your accident took place
Injury type and severity

There may also be other leading factors depending on your circumstances.

Accident type or area of law your claim falls under

The type of accident you have been involved in will determine what area of law your claim falls under. To give you an idea claims most often fall under; motor vehicle accident law, public liability, workers compensation and WorkCover, medical negligence or crime victims compensation. Each area of law is governed by different legislation and guidelines which essentially place a prescribed monetary value on an injury.

State in which your accident took place in

The geographical location where an accident occurred can have a huge effect on compensation payouts for injuries. Each state and territory has its own rules and regulations regarding payouts along with injury scale value charts and tables which lawyers use as a guide to determine your settlement.

Our claim check covers accidents in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, NT, TAS and ACT.

Injury type and severity

Injuries generally get categorised into the following categories;

Minor personal injuries;
Moderate injuries leading to a full recovery;
Serious injury and catastrophic;
Psychological and emotional;
Permanent impairment (PI) or whole person impairment WPI

In order to determine the severity of a plaintiffs injury, an assessment should be obtained from a medical specialist in an area relevant to the injury that they intend to claim on. What may seem like a simple straightforward injury may come with a substantial underlying burden that rears itself later in life. Because generally damages are awarded on a "once and for all" basis which means you can only make one claim, it is important to achieve maximum financial recompense.

How will my injury compensation be calculated?

When calculating the amount of compensation owed to a plaintiff, a solicitor and his or her legal team will itemise various heads of damage and add them together.

These may include:

1. General damages: this is the term applied to non-pecuniary damages or non-economic loss experienced as a result of pain and suffering, disability or impairment, loss of "amenities" of life, disfigurement or reduced life expectancy.

2. Pecuniary loss: this term covers out-of-pocket expenses involved in past and future medical treatment, rehabilitation, care and support. It also covers costs involved in making adaptations to your home or mode of transport.

3. Income loss: covering actual income loss of income accumulated pre-settlement and future loss of expected earning capacity post-settlement. Please note: in some instances, a plaintiff's claim may be restricted to only past loss; in others, to only future loss.

4. Aggravated damages: comprise an additional sum of money to be awarded to a plaintiff due to the humiliation brought on by the defendants conduct during the commission of a wrong.

5. Exemplary damages: in instances when a matter goes to court, a Judge may award what is known as punitive or exemplary damages. Such damages are awarded in order to punish a defendant rather than compensate the plaintiff.

6. Nominal or contemptuous damages: usually are a very small amount of damages awarded to a plaintiff when they are technically entitled to succeed, but the judge thinks that the action should not have been brought.

Calculating multiple injuries

You can use our multiple injury compensation calculator to get an idea of what monetary values are available for several different injuries. However, it's unlikely you would be permitted to recover the full amount for each injury. The state which your accident took place will determine how much each individual injury is worth.

If you have suffered more than one injury please call us free on 1800 106 107.

Claims for lost earnings alone often exceed $1,000,000 in serious injury cases, and your lawyer negotiates those on top of general damages.

Payouts by state

New South Wales Victoria Queensland Western Australia South Australia Tasmania Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory

Maximum general damages by state, 2026

Every state caps or scales pain and suffering differently, which is why the same injury is worth different amounts in different states. The figures below are the published statutory maximums and thresholds; each links to the full state breakdown with sources.

State	Maximum general damages	Threshold before anything is payable
Western Australia	$501,000 (motor, ICWA)	5% of a most extreme case; $26,500 deductible
New South Wales	$804,000 (negligence); $691,000 (motor)	15% of a most extreme case; motor needs >10% WPI
Victoria	$741,000 (negligence); $680,160 (TAC)	>5% WPI physical / 10% psychiatric; 30% or narrative test for TAC and WorkCover damages
Queensland	$484,100 (ISV 100); $478,105 (workers, 2026-27)	no minimum, but ISV scale tightly prescribes amounts
South Australia	ISV scale by regulation	ISV 11+ for motor pain and suffering; 7-day impairment or minimum medicals otherwise
Tasmania	indexed cap under Civil Liability Act 2002 (Tas)	indexed threshold applies
Australian Capital Territory	no cap	5% WPI quality-of-life benefit; 10% WPI common law (motor)
Northern Territory	indexed cap (negligence)	5% WPI; road accidents: MAC benefits only, no lump sum

Indexed amounts change each financial year; the schedule in force when the injury arose applies. Economic loss, treatment and care are assessed separately and are often larger than general damages.

Queensland general damages by injury scale value from 0 to 100, showing steep non-linear growth: ISV 10 pays about $21,000 and ISV 100 pays $478,105

Compensation payouts by injury type

The table below is the complete statutory schedule of injuries: every dominant injury type, its Injury Scale Value range, and the general damages it attracts under Queensland’s published tables for injuries from 1 July 2026. Queensland publishes the most detailed injury-by-injury values in Australia, so we show them as the national reference point; the same injury scales differently in other states — see the state comparison above and your state’s payouts page. General damages are pain and suffering only: lost income, treatment and care are claimed on top and are often larger.

Injury	ISV range	General damages (Qld, 2026–27)
Spinal cord and brain
Quadriplegia	75–100	$318,325 – $478,105
Paraplegia	60–80	$232,160 – $348,220
Hemiplegia	60–80	$232,160 – $348,220
Extreme Brain Injury - Substantial Insight Remaining	71–100	$294,390 – $478,105
Extreme Brain Injury - Partial or Complete Insight	36–70	$111,575 – $288,405
Extreme Brain Injury - Infrequent Periods of Partial Insight	16–35	$37,340 – $106,970
Grossly reduced insight	10–15	$20,925 – $34,290
Serious Brain Injury	56–70	$211,060 – $288,405
Moderate Brain Injury	21–55	$52,935 – $205,795
Minor Brain Injury	6–20	$11,750 – $49,485
Minor Head Injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Psychological
Extreme Mental Disorder	41–65	$134,970 – $260,285
Serious Mental Disorder	11–40	$23,595 – $130,025
Moderate Mental Disorder	2–10	$3,790 – $20,925
Minor Mental Disorder	0–1	$0 – $1,895
Face, teeth and facial scarring
Extreme Facial Injury	26–45	$70,590 – $154,735
Serious Facial Injury	14–25	$31,615 – $66,720
Moderate Facial Injury	6–13	$11,750 – $28,945
Minor Facial Injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Loss of or serious damage to more than 3 teeth or serious gum injury	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Loss of or serious damage to 2 or 3 teeth or moderate gum injury	3–5	$5,665 – $9,455
Loss of or serious damage to 1 tooth or minor gum injury	0–2	$0 – $3,790
Extreme Facial Scarring	21–45	$52,935 – $154,735
Serious Facial Scarring	11–20	$23,595 – $49,485
Moderate Facial Scarring	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor Facial Scarring	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Sight, hearing, taste and smell
Total Sight and Hearing Impairment	90–100	$411,330 – $478,105
Total Sight Impairment	50–80	$179,450 – $348,220
Complete sight impairment in 1 eye with reduced vision in the other	25–50	$66,720 – $179,450
Complete sight impairment in 1 eye or total loss of 1 eye	26–30	$70,590 – $85,985
Serious eye injury	11–25	$23,595 – $66,720
Moderate Eye Injury	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor Eye Injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme ear injury	36–55	$111,575 – $205,795
Serious ear injury	26–35	$70,590 – $106,970
Moderate ear injury	11–25	$23,595 – $66,720
Moderate tinnitus or hearing loss, or both	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss	4–5	$7,560 – $9,455
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight hearing loss	0–3	$0 – $5,665
Total loss of taste or smell, or both	6–9	$11,750 – $18,630
Partial loss of smell or taste, or both	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Chest and lungs
Extreme chest injury	46–65	$159,680 – $260,285
Serious chest injury	21–45	$52,935 – $154,735
Moderate chest injury	11–20	$23,595 – $49,485
Complicated fracture or internal organ injury that substantially resolves	5–10	$9,455 – $20,925
Soft tissue injury, minor fracture or minor internal organ injury	0–4	$0 – $7,560
Extreme lung injury	46–65	$159,680 – $260,285
Serious lung injury with progressive worsening of lung function	25–45	$66,720 – $154,735
Serious lung injury, no progressive worsening	11–24	$23,595 – $63,290
Moderate lung injury	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor lung injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme asthma	31–55	$90,175 – $205,795
Severe asthma	11–30	$23,595 – $85,985
Moderate asthma	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor asthma	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Reproductive
Impotence and sterility	5–37	$9,455 – $116,180
Loss of part or all of penis	5–25	$9,455 – $66,720
Loss of 1 testicle	2–10	$3,790 – $20,925
Infertility causing severe effects	16–35	$37,340 – $106,970
Infertility causing moderate effects	9–15	$18,630 – $34,290
Infertility causing minor effects	0–8	$0 – $16,335
Post-menopausal hysterectomy	5–15	$9,455 – $34,290
Female impotence	5–15	$9,455 – $34,290
Injury causing inability to give birth by normal vaginal delivery	4–15	$7,560 – $34,290
Injury to female genitalia or reproductive organs	3–25	$5,665 – $66,720
Reduced fertility	3–8	$5,665 – $16,335
Internal organs and hernia
Extreme injury to the digestive system caused by trauma	19–40	$46,455 – $130,025
Serious injury to the digestive system caused by trauma	11–18	$23,595 – $43,405
Moderate injury to the digestive system caused by trauma	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor injury to the digestive system caused by trauma	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma	13–35	$28,945 – $106,970
Serious injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma	6–12	$11,750 – $26,270
Moderate injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma	3–5	$5,665 – $9,455
Minor injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma	0–2	$0 – $3,790
Loss of both kidneys requiring permanent dialysis or transplant	56–75	$211,060 – $318,325
Serious damage to both kidneys requiring temporary dialysis	31–55	$90,175 – $205,795
Serious injury to kidneys or ureters	19–30	$46,455 – $85,985
Moderate injury to kidneys or ureters	11–18	$23,595 – $43,405
Minor injury to kidneys or ureters	0–10	$0 – $20,925
Extreme injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract	51–70	$184,715 – $288,405
Serious injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract	36–50	$111,575 – $179,450
Moderate injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract	16–35	$37,340 – $106,970
Minor injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary duct	3–15	$5,665 – $34,290
Extreme bowel injury	41–60	$134,970 – $232,160
Serious bowel injury	19–40	$46,455 – $130,025
Moderate bowel injury	7–18	$14,045 – $43,405
Minor bowel injury	3–6	$5,665 – $11,750
Extreme bladder, prostate or urethra injury	40–60	$130,025 – $232,160
Serious bladder, prostate or urethra injury	19–39	$46,455 – $125,415
Moderate bladder, prostate or urethra injury	7–18	$14,045 – $43,405
Minor bladder, prostate or urethra injury	3–6	$5,665 – $11,750
Injury to the pancreas	10–35	$20,925 – $106,970
Loss of spleen (complicated)	8–20	$16,335 – $49,485
Injury to the spleen or uncomplicated loss of spleen	0–7	$0 – $14,045
Severe hernia	11–20	$23,595 – $49,485
Moderate hernia	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor hernia	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Neck and back
Extreme cervical spine injury	41–75	$134,970 – $318,325
Serious cervical spine injury	16–40	$37,340 – $130,025
Moderate cervical spine injury with fracture or disc prolapse	5–15	$9,455 – $34,290
Moderate cervical spine injury, soft tissue	5–10	$9,455 – $20,925
Minor cervical spine injury	0–4	$0 – $7,560
Extreme thoracic or lumbar spine injury	36–60	$111,575 – $232,160
Serious thoracic or lumbar spine injury	16–35	$37,340 – $106,970
Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury with fracture or disc prolapse	5–15	$9,455 – $34,290
Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury, soft tissue	5–10	$9,455 – $20,925
Minor thoracic or lumbar spine injury	0–4	$0 – $7,560
Shoulders, arms and hands
Extreme shoulder injury	31–50	$90,175 – $179,450
Serious shoulder injury	16–30	$37,340 – $85,985
Moderate shoulder injury	6–15	$11,750 – $34,290
Minor shoulder injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Loss of both upper limbs	55–85	$205,795 – $379,775
Upper limb amputation at the shoulder	50–65	$179,450 – $260,285
Upper limb amputation through or above the elbow	40–65	$130,025 – $260,285
Upper limb amputation below the elbow	35–60	$106,970 – $232,160
Extreme elbow injury	26–50	$70,590 – $179,450
Serious elbow injury	13–25	$28,945 – $66,720
Moderate elbow injury	6–12	$11,750 – $26,270
Minor elbow injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme wrist injury	25–40	$66,720 – $130,025
Serious wrist injury	16–24	$37,340 – $63,290
Moderate wrist injury	6–15	$11,750 – $34,290
Minor wrist injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Total or effective loss of both hands	51–75	$184,715 – $318,325
Serious injury to both hands	40–50	$130,025 – $179,450
Total or effective loss of 1 hand	35–60	$106,970 – $232,160
Amputation of the thumb or part of the thumb	15–28	$34,290 – $78,285
Amputation of index, middle and ring fingers, or any 2	15–30	$34,290 – $85,985
Amputation of individual fingers	5–20	$9,455 – $49,485
Extreme injury to fingers or thumb	16–25	$37,340 – $66,720
Serious injury to fingers or thumb	11–15	$23,595 – $34,290
Moderate injury to fingers or thumb	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor injury to fingers or thumb	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme hand injury	31–45	$90,175 – $154,735
Serious hand injury	16–30	$37,340 – $85,985
Moderate hand injury	6–15	$11,750 – $34,290
Minor hand injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme upper limb injury (other)	36–65	$111,575 – $260,285
Serious upper limb injury (other)	21–35	$52,935 – $106,970
Moderate upper limb injury (other)	6–20	$11,750 – $49,485
Minor upper limb injury (other)	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Hips, legs and feet
Extreme pelvis or hip injury	46–65	$159,680 – $260,285
Serious pelvis or hip injury	26–45	$70,590 – $154,735
Moderate pelvis or hip injury	11–25	$23,595 – $66,720
Minor pelvis or hip injury	0–10	$0 – $20,925
Loss of both lower limbs above or through the knee	55–70	$205,795 – $288,405
Below the knee amputation of both lower limbs	50–65	$179,450 – $260,285
Above or through the knee amputation of 1 lower limb	35–50	$106,970 – $179,450
Below the knee amputation of 1 lower limb	31–45	$90,175 – $154,735
Extreme lower limb injury (other)	31–55	$90,175 – $205,795
Serious lower limb injury (other)	21–30	$52,935 – $85,985
Moderate lower limb injury (other)	11–20	$23,595 – $49,485
Minor lower limb injury (other)	0–10	$0 – $20,925
Extreme knee injury	25–40	$66,720 – $130,025
Serious knee injury	11–24	$23,595 – $63,290
Moderate knee injury	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor knee injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Extreme ankle injury	21–35	$52,935 – $106,970
Serious ankle injury	11–20	$23,595 – $49,485
Moderate ankle injury	6–10	$11,750 – $20,925
Minor ankle injury	0–5	$0 – $9,455
Amputation of both feet	32–65	$94,380 – $260,285
Amputation of 1 foot	20–35	$49,485 – $106,970
Extreme foot injury that is not an amputation	13–25	$28,945 – $66,720
Serious foot injury	9–12	$18,630 – $26,270
Moderate foot injury	4–8	$7,560 – $16,335
Minor foot injury	0–3	$0 – $5,665
Amputation of all toes	8–20	$16,335 – $49,485
Amputation of the great toe	6–12	$11,750 – $26,270
Amputation of individual lesser toes	3–5	$5,665 – $9,455
Serious toe injury	8–12	$16,335 – $26,270
Moderate toe injury	4–7	$7,560 – $14,045
Minor toe injury	0–3	$0 – $5,665
Skin, scarring and hair
Extreme scarring (body, not face)	14–25	$31,615 – $66,720
Serious scarring (body, not face)	9–13	$18,630 – $28,945
Moderate scarring (body, not face)	4–8	$7,560 – $16,335
Minor scarring (body, not face)	0–3	$0 – $5,665
Extreme injury affecting head hair	11–15	$23,595 – $34,290
Serious injury affecting head hair	4–10	$7,560 – $20,925
Moderate injury affecting head hair or loss of body hair	0–3	$0 – $5,665
Extreme dermatitis	11–20	$23,595 – $49,485
Serious dermatitis	8–10	$16,335 – $20,925
Moderate dermatitis	3–7	$5,665 – $14,045
Minor dermatitis	0–2	$0 – $3,790

Sources

Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) and Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 (NSW)
Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld) and Civil Liability Regulation 2014 (Qld) ISV ranges
Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic); Transport Accident Act 1986 (Vic)
Civil Liability Act 2002 (WA); Motor Vehicle (Third Party Insurance) Act 1943 (WA)
Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA)