If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident or workplace accident in NSW and your injury is affecting your ability to drive, iCare may fund your return-to-driving process, including an OT driving assessment.

This article explains how iCare funding works for OT driving assessments, what's covered, and how to access it.

What is iCare?

iCare (Insurance and Care NSW) is the NSW government agency that manages several insurance and care schemes, including:

CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance, which covers people injured in motor vehicle accidents in NSW.

Workers compensation, which covers people injured in workplace accidents in NSW.

The Lifetime Care and Support Scheme (LCSS), which provides lifetime support for people with severe injuries from motor vehicle accidents in NSW (such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, or severe burns).

If your injury falls under one of these schemes and it's affecting your driving, the return-to-driving process can typically be funded through iCare.

What does iCare cover for driving?

For eligible claimants, iCare generally funds the full return-to-driving pathway:

OT driving assessment. The initial assessment to evaluate how your injury is affecting your driving ability and to determine what supports or modifications you need.

Vehicle modifications. If the OT prescribes modifications (such as hand controls, a left-foot accelerator, a steering aid, or wheelchair storage), iCare typically covers the cost of equipment and installation.

Driving lessons. Rehabilitation driving lessons with a specialist instructor to learn to use any new modifications or to rebuild driving skills after injury.

OT reassessment. Follow-up assessment after lessons or modifications to confirm you can drive safely.

Disability driving test fees. If Transport for NSW requires a disability driving test, the associated costs may be covered.

Ongoing modification maintenance. For Lifetime Care participants, ongoing maintenance and replacement of vehicle modifications may be covered as part of the lifetime support package.

The specifics depend on your injury, your claim, and which iCare scheme applies to you.

Common injuries that lead to iCare-funded driving assessments

The types of injuries that most commonly result in a need for driving assessment and rehabilitation include:

Traumatic brain injury. Affecting cognition, processing speed, attention, and decision-making, all of which are critical for safe driving.

Spinal cord injury. Affecting physical ability to operate vehicle controls, often requiring modifications such as hand controls.

Lower limb injuries. Fractures, amputations, or nerve damage affecting your ability to operate pedals.

Upper limb injuries. Shoulder, arm, or hand injuries affecting your ability to steer or operate secondary controls.

Orthopaedic injuries. Significant joint injuries, multiple fractures, or surgical complications that have lasting effects on physical function.

Psychological injuries. In some cases, driving-related anxiety or post-traumatic stress after a motor vehicle accident may warrant assessment and rehabilitation.

How to access iCare funding for your driving assessment

The process typically works like this:

Step 1: Talk to your case manager or rehabilitation coordinator. If you're an iCare claimant and your injury is affecting your driving, raise it with your case manager. They can authorise the referral and funding for an OT driving assessment.

Step 2: Get a referral. Your treating doctor (GP, rehabilitation physician, or specialist) completes the Transport for NSW Fitness to Drive form and provides a referral for the OT assessment.

Step 3: The case manager arranges funding approval. Your case manager coordinates the funding approval with the insurer. This usually involves reviewing the referral and confirming that the assessment is reasonable and necessary given your injury.

Step 4: Book the assessment. Once funding is approved, you (or your case manager) contact an OT driving assessment service to book. Some case managers refer directly to the OT provider.

Step 5: Complete the assessment. The OT conducts the assessment and provides a report to Transport for NSW, your treating doctor, and your case manager.

Step 6: Follow-up. If modifications, lessons, or reassessment are recommended, your case manager coordinates funding for these additional steps.

What to tell your case manager

If you're not sure whether driving assessment is covered under your claim, here are some useful points to raise with your case manager:

• You had a driver's licence before your injury and you want to return to driving

• Your injury is specifically affecting your ability to drive (describe how)

• Your treating doctor has indicated that an OT driving assessment is needed

• Returning to driving supports your rehabilitation goals (independence, return to work, community access)

Case managers are generally supportive of return-to-driving goals because independent driving reduces the claimant's ongoing transport costs and supports rehabilitation outcomes.

How long does the process take?

Timelines vary depending on:

• How quickly your case manager processes the funding approval (usually days to a few weeks)

• The OT provider's availability

• Whether modifications are needed (equipment sourcing and installation adds time)

• How many driving lessons you need

For straightforward cases (assessment only, no modifications), the process from referral to report can be completed within a few weeks. For more complex cases involving modifications and lessons, it may take several months.

What if I'm not an iCare claimant?

If your injury isn't covered by iCare, other funding options may be available:

NDIS for eligible participants with a self-managed or plan-managed plan.

DVA for eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs cardholders.

Medicare (CDM plans) may provide a partial rebate if your GP includes the assessment in a Chronic Disease Management plan.

Private payment is always an option.

See our funding guide for more detail on each pathway.

Getting started

If you're an iCare claimant and you'd like to explore returning to driving, the first step is to raise it with your case manager or rehabilitation coordinator. Once funding is approved and you have a referral, you can start the process at steerdriving.com.au/referral.

If your case manager wants to refer directly, they can email referral@steerdriving.com.au.

Ready to book an OT driving assessment in Sydney? Steer Driving is a mobile assessment service covering greater Sydney. Whether you already have a referral or you're just getting started, get in touch and we'll guide you through the next steps.

This article was written by Elise, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and Transport for NSW-registered driver assessor. Elise is the founder of Steer Driving, a mobile OT driving assessment practice in Sydney.

FAQ Section

Does iCare cover OT driving assessments? Yes, for eligible claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents or workplace accidents in NSW. iCare typically funds the OT assessment, vehicle modifications, driving lessons, and reassessment as part of the return-to-driving process.

How do I access iCare funding for a driving assessment? Talk to your iCare case manager or rehabilitation coordinator. They can authorise the referral and coordinate funding approval. Your treating doctor will also need to provide a referral and complete the Fitness to Drive form.

What injuries does iCare fund driving assessments for? Common injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, lower and upper limb injuries, significant orthopaedic injuries, and (in some cases) psychological injuries resulting from the accident.

Does iCare cover vehicle modifications? Yes, if modifications are prescribed by the OT as part of the driving assessment. iCare typically covers the cost of equipment, installation, and (for Lifetime Care participants) ongoing maintenance.

How long does iCare funding approval take? It varies, but case managers usually process driving assessment approvals within days to a few weeks. More complex requests (vehicle modifications, multiple lessons) may take longer.

Can my case manager refer directly to Steer Driving? Yes. Case managers can refer directly by emailing referral@steerdriving.com.au with the referral details, Fitness to Drive form, and relevant clinical information.