What is a Certificate of Fitness
The Certificate of Fitness is used by an insurer to assess the person’s ability to work, regardless of their employment status.
The first Certificate of Fitness must be completed by the person’s registered medical practitioner during a consultation. The certificate must include:
- the person’s name and details
- the type of injury (or injuries) and date of crash
- what treatment is planned
- how the injuries affect the person’s ability to do normal activities including work
- the details of the medical practitioner who completed the certificate including their provider number.
Download a certificate
The Certificate of Fitness is used for motor crash injuries.
Information for the person with an injury
The person with the injury is responsible for:
- submitting the initial Certificate of Fitness and claim form to the CTP insurer.
- providing up-to-date Certificates of Fitness throughout the recovery period.
Weekly benefits may be suspended by the insurer if a valid certificate is not received (see section 3.15(6) of the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017).
Information for health practitioners
The treating medical practitioner is responsible for completing the medical section of the certificate.
This section should provide a clear medical diagnosis using recognised medical terminology and outline any reasonable and necessary treatment.
When assessing a person with an injury and planning treatment, the treating medical practitioner estimates the time until they can resume normal activities or requires a reassessment.
A Certificate of Fitness cannot be issued for more than 28 days without providing specific reasons.
Subsequent certificates
The first Certificate of Fitness must be issued by a treating medical practitioner.
Any subsequent certificates can be issued by a treating physiotherapist or psychologist.
If a subsequent certificate overlaps with an earlier one, the later certificate takes precedence for the entire period it covers.
With consent from the person with an injury, insurers may send a copy of the certificate to the medical practitioner to facilitate communication.
Download the Certificate of Fitness - Treating Physiotherapist or Psychologist.
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Updated 24 March 2025