What is a TAC claim?
If you’ve been injured in a road accident in Victoria, you may be eligible to make a Transport Accident Commission (TAC) claim which can help provide financial support for medical treatments and loss of income.
Every registered vehicle in Victoria has third party insurance included so that you’ll be taken care of in the unfortunate event of an accident occurring.
What you need to know
If the accident was not your fault and you have suffered a permanent injury you may also be entitled to further compensation from the TAC for pain and suffering and loss of income. You should seek legal advice to maximise your entitlements. If you do not fully recover from your injuries despite having treatment, it’s important to seek legal advice.
Once your claim is accepted you may be entitled to a range of “No fault” benefits. These are available no matter who was at fault and can include: medical and rehabilitation expenses, income payment and a lump sum for permanent injuries. These benefits may be payable in addition to other entitlements available.
Learn more about no fault and at fault compensation schemes.
If you are unable to work due to injuries from the accident, you may be able to claim income benefits from the TAC after the first five days you are off work. You can also make a claim if, as a result of your injuries, you can only work part-time or reduced hours.
These benefits are payable for up to three years after the accident unless your impairment reaches a 50% threshold. In this case, TAC benefits may be payable until retirement age.
Losing someone in a transport accident is devastating. The TAC can provide financial support to help families through this period.
The TAC can cover:
Funeral and monument costs up to $19,940 (including GST)
Travel and accommodation up to $6,650 for immediate family members who live more than 100km from where the funeral is held
Counselling up to $21,170 for eligible family members including spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents, when provided by a registered doctor, psychologist, or social worker
Financial support for dependent spouses or partners if the deceased was contributing to household income or caring for children
Support for dependent children depending on your family's circumstances
If the loss has caused a mental injury to you or another family member, a separate TAC claim may also be available and you could be eligible for further compensation.
Learn more about TAC claims for deceased or severely injured family members
Process
Making a TAC claim can feel overwhelming, especially after a road accident. Here are some things you can do yourself, if you feel up to. If you need additional support, you should consider legal guidance before making your claim.
What should I do immediately after a motor vehicle accident?
If anyone is injured, call Triple 000 for the police or an ambulance.
Try to get as many details as possible from those involved in the accident, including name, address, phone number, driver's licence number, vehicle registration, and insurance details. If there were any witnesses, get their name, address, and phone number as well.
Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Soon after the accident, it’s important you make a police report and get a police incident number.
Report all symptoms and ask for a TAC medical certificate.
You can lodge a TAC claim online or call them on 1300 654 329. While you don’t need a lawyer to lodge a claim, it may be worth seeking legal advice so that you don’t miss any deadlines or if you’d like to make a common law claim in the future.
If your claim is rejected, it’s worth seeking legal advice to understand your options.
Need help making a TAC claim?
If you’re injured and want the help of Slater and Gordon, here’s what you might expect from working with a legal team.
We can help you understand your rights and what your options are. You can:
Make an enquiry
Call us on 1800 444 141
We prepare medical reports, gather evidence and legal documentation while meeting the strict claim deadlines. We do this while you focus on recovery.
We’ll help support you at every step of your journey to get you the compensation you deserve. If your claim is successful, we’ll process your payment. In the rare event you need to go to court or your claim is rejected, we’ll help represent you and provide additional legal guidance and support.
In addition to your TAC claim, you may be entitled to pursue a common law claim if you've been seriously injured through someone else’s negligence. We can help you assess your options, protect your rights, manage strict time limits and deal with insurers on your behalf.
Find out if you have a claim in just 3 minutes
Use our free Online Claim Check to find out where you stand and if you have a claim.
How we can help
Life can become extremely difficult after a road accident. With the help of road injury lawyers, you can focus on recovering from your injuries instead of filing legal documents. Our experienced team will assist you in making your claim and provide legal guidance and support.
We are the original No Win, No Fee* Motor vehicle accident lawyers
This means that if you don’t win, you don’t pay the fees for the work we do on your case.
Freqently asked questions
We offer a No Win, No Fee arrangement to help you access the justice and care you deserve. This means that you won't pay for our legal work if we don't win your case. You may still be liable for third party costs and disbursements.
Yes, but it can vary by claim type. It’s best if you seek legal advice early so that we can help provide you with specific time limit advice and help manage deadlines for you. TAC claims are generally lodged within 12 months of the accident while common law claims are typically 6 years from the date of the accident.
Car accident compensation amounts in Australia vary depending on:
The severity and permanence of your injuries
Whether you were at fault or not at fault for the accident
Your loss of income both current and future earning capacity
The cost of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
The impact of your injuries on your quality of life (pain and suffering).
An experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can assess the specific value of your claim based on the facts of your case.
While you’re not legally required to have a lawyer for a TAC claim, it can significantly improve your outcomes. An experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can help:
Identify every type of compensation you are entitled to claim
Gather evidence to support your claim
Negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to avoid low early settlement offers
Handle strict deadlines and complex state-specific claim requirements
Represent you if your claim proceeds to court or a dispute
Maximise your claim entitlements.