The NSW Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) has been abolished and replaced by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA).

The move is part of the State Government’s $1 billion reform of the state’s compensation system, announced in August.

The authority operates under the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation.

SIRA Executive Director Motor Accident Insurance Regulation Andrew Nicholls says the authority now exercises all the MAA’s functions.

These include dispute resolution for claimants and insurers through the Medical Assessment Service and the Claims Assessment and Resolution Service.

The Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 is now administered by SIRA.

All contracts entered into by the MAA and all guidelines and other provisions issued by it are taken to have been issued by SIRA and remain in force.

Mr Nicholls says the new Motor Accident Compensation Regulation requires all parties representing claimants to provide a costs breakdown to SIRA, to help determine the scheme’s efficiency. 

“All compulsory third party claims finalised on or after October 1 will require completion of the disclosure form,” he said. 

“SIRA will provide support to all claimant lawyers in undertaking this disclosure. A phone line is being set up for any telephone enquiries.”

Mr Nicholls also says the Motor Accidents Compensation (Determination of Loss) Amendment Order, which took effect on October 1, has increased the maximum amount of non-economic loss that can be awarded to $511,000.

The maximum amount for past or future economic loss due to lost earnings or earning capacity has increased to $4688 per week. 

A new medical assessor panel has been appointed, with 145 assessors appointed for a further term from October 16 this year to June 30 2018.

A list of assessors and the types of dispute they cover is available on SIRA’s website.

As part of sweeping reforms SIRA, Insurance & Care NSW and the work safety regulator SafeWork NSW have replaced WorkCover NSW.