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Victoria TAC Claims
Victoria TAC Claim Eligibility Check
Receive income, medical and lump-sum benefits through the Transport Accident Commission, no matter who caused the crash.
If you've been injured in any Victorian transport accident, car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, tram or pedestrian, you can claim through the TAC. The scheme is no-fault, which means anyone injured is eligible. Lodge within 12 months for full backdated benefits. Serious injury matters can also pursue common-law damages.
- No-fault scheme: anyone injured can claim
- Income support, medical and like expenses
- Common-law damages for serious injury
- Lifetime support for catastrophic injuries
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Information for every state and territory
Australia-wide
Plain-English guides to the compensation schemes in each Australian state and territory.
Victoria TAC scheme, explained
Victoria runs a no-fault transport accident compensation scheme through the Transport Accident Commission (tac.vic.gov.au), funded by an annual TAC charge included in your registration. Anyone injured in a Victorian transport accident can claim regardless of fault. This scheme is one of the most generous and accessible in Australia.
What the TAC pays for
- Medical and like expenses: Reasonable and necessary treatment, including surgery, GP visits, physiotherapy, psychology, dental, equipment, and home or car modifications.
- Loss of earnings: 80% of pre-accident weekly earnings (capped at the maximum weekly amount), payable for up to 18 months after the accident in most cases.
- Travel to treatment: Reimbursed at the TAC published rate.
- Attendant care: Personal care, supervision, and household help for moderate and serious injuries.
- Impairment benefit: Lump sum for permanent impairment assessed at 11% or higher whole-person impairment.
- Common-law damages: For serious injuries certified by the courts, pain and suffering and economic loss damages can be pursued in addition to statutory benefits.
Common-law damages and the "serious injury" threshold
Common-law damages are where Victorian payouts can become substantial. Awards include past and future loss of earnings, future medical and care costs, and pain and suffering damages. To pursue common-law damages you need either a 30%+ permanent impairment determination or a "serious injury" certificate from the County Court. Your lawyer organises the medical evidence, instructs experts and runs the certificate application.
Key Victoria timeframes
- As soon as possible: Notify the TAC and seek medical attention.
- 12 months: Lodge the formal TAC claim for full backdated benefits.
- 18 months post-accident: Earliest commencement of common-law damages proceedings.
- 6 years: Limitation period for common-law damages claims (3 years for children).
Cities and regions covered
Information on this page applies to transport accidents anywhere in Victoria, including Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Surf Coast, Ballarat, Bendigo, the Latrobe Valley, Shepparton, and regional Victoria.
Victoria TAC claim FAQs
Plain-English answers to the most common questions about lodging a TAC claim and pursuing common-law damages in Victoria.
Reviewed by CompoCheck Editorial Team · Last updated
How do I lodge a TAC claim in Victoria?
Call the TAC on 1300 654 329 or lodge online at tac.vic.gov.au. You'll need: the registration number of any vehicle involved, the location and date of the accident, a police report number where applicable, and a Certificate of Capacity from your treating doctor. The TAC contacts you within a few business days to acknowledge the claim and request additional information.
Do I have to be the driver to claim TAC compensation?
No. Anyone injured in a Victorian transport accident is eligible: drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, public transport users (tram, train, bus). The scheme is funded by an annual TAC charge on Victorian vehicle registrations.
How long do I have to make a TAC claim?
Lodge within 12 months of the accident for full backdated benefits. Late claims may still be accepted with good reason but benefits may only run from the lodgement date. Common-law damages claims have a 6-year limitation period in Victoria, but you should consult a lawyer well before that as serious injury certification can take time.
What can I claim under the TAC scheme?
Statutory benefits include reasonable medical and like expenses (treatment, rehab, equipment, home and car modifications), loss of earnings (capped weekly amount), travel to treatment, attendant care for serious injuries, and impairment benefits (lump sum). For serious injuries, common-law damages may add pain and suffering and economic loss damages on top of statutory benefits.
What counts as a "serious injury" for TAC common-law claims?
Under Victorian law, a serious injury is one with permanent serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or permanent severe mental or behavioural disturbance. The County Court certifies serious injury based on medical evidence. Threshold cases include spinal injury, significant orthopaedic injury, major scarring, and PTSD or significant depression. Your lawyer will assess whether your injury qualifies before pursuing common-law damages.
Will I have to go to court for a TAC claim?
Most TAC matters resolve without a court hearing. Statutory benefits are administered by the TAC. Common-law claims often settle at mediation or pre-trial conferences. Hearings are reserved for cases where serious injury is contested or where damages quantum cannot be agreed.
How your Victoria TAC claim gets handled
Enquiries you submit are sent to the advertising law firm for your state and claim type.
- 01
Take the 30-second survey
Answer a few simple questions about your injury. No legal jargon, just the facts.
- 02
Your enquiry goes to an advertising law firm
Your enquiry goes to a law firm that advertises on CompoCheck for your state and claim type.
- 03
The firm contacts you
The firm can discuss your situation with you directly. Whether you go further is up to you.
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