Queenslanders catastrophically injured in motor vehicle accidents will now have access to lifetime care and support.

The State Parliament has passed legislation to introduce the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) – three years after the previous Newman government signed a national heads of agreement with the Federal Government committing Queensland to the scheme.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt says at present “roughly half” of catastrophically injured Queenslanders can claim insurance because the compulsory third party (CTP) insurance scheme only covers people who can prove fault against a driver.

The Motor Accident Insurance Commission estimates an average of three people every week sustain catastrophic injuries – including brain or spinal injuries, limb amputations, severe burns and blindness – in Queensland road crashes.

The NIIS will operate as a “hybrid model”, incorporating a no-fault model while retaining an option for exercising common-law rights to recover the costs of treatment, care and support for those who were not a “at fault” for their injuries.

The scheme will come into effect in Queensland from July 1. The levy for the scheme will commence on October 1.

Mr Pitt says the net cost of the scheme to motorists will be 60 cents per week or $32 per vehicle per year. The Government will conduct a review of the CTP scheme prior to the 2017/18 premium-setting.