How to lodge a TAC Claim in Victoria

What does TAC mean?

TAC refers to both the ‘transport accident charge’ for your compulsory third party (CTP) vehicle insurance and the Transport Accident Commission. The Commission: 

• Is owned by the Victorian government 

• Promotes road safety 

• Supports people injured in Victorian transport accidents, such as by paying for medical treatment 

Victoria’s TAC scheme is ‘no fault.’ This means the TAC will pay for medical treatment and support services for any person injured in a Victorian transport accident, regardless of who was at fault. 

Who can make a TAC claim? 

The transport accident charge is attached to a vehicle’s registration. 

An accident happens in Victoria 

For a car accident in Victoria, you can make a TAC claim if: 

• You’re injured in a car accident, public transport accident or motorcycle accident (including as a pedestrian or cyclist) 

• You represent a loved one who died in a road or public transport accident 

For car accidents in Victoria (where injury or death occurs), you can make a TAC claim regardless of whether you’re a Victorian resident or non-Victorian resident (e.g., if you’re injured while visiting Victoria from interstate).  

An interstate accident (outside Victoria) 

For a car accident outside Victoria, you can make a TAC claim if: 

• You’re a Victorian resident who’s been injured (or you represent a loved one who died) in an interstate road accident involving a Victorian-registered motor vehicle 

• You’re a non-Victorian resident who was the occupant (driver or passenger) in a Victorian registered vehicle and you: 

  • Are injured 

  • Died (a TAC claim can be brought by your representative)

Is there a TAC claim time limit? 

If you’ve wondered ‘how long after an accident can you claim,’ a TAC claim must be made within 12 months from the date of: 

• Your accident, or 

• An accident injury first appearing 

An experienced TAC lawyer in Victoria can help you understand what you can and can’t claim. They’re also experienced in the relevant time limits (and exceptions) for making a TAC claim. 

Early lodgment of your TAC claim will help you to access necessary treatment for your injuries. 

TAC claim eligibility – what compensation is available? 

If you have TAC claim eligibility, the TAC could make payments for your reasonable medical and other injury-related expenses. These could include: 

• Medical treatment, including hospital costs 

• Allied health treatment (such as physiotherapists) 

• Rehabilitation services 

• Pharmaceuticals (such as pain medication) 

• Help at home (such as cleaning and gardening) 

• Home and vehicle modifications 

• Travelling expenses (for necessary medical appointments) 

• Return to work or retraining services 

The TAC claim process in Victoria 

Starting from the moment of your car accident in Victoria, these are the steps to make a TAC claim. We’ve also created an ‘at the scene’ checklist you can save to your phone or print. 

Contact Shine Lawyers’ motor vehicle accident lawyers at any stage during the TAC claim process. 

Step 1 – Has anyone been injured? 

If anyone has been injured in the accident, call an ambulance and the police. You will need the police report number (or attending officer’s details) to complete your TAC claim form.  

Step 2 – Swap contact details 

Swap contact details with any other driver involved in the accident. This includes: 

• Names and addresses 

• Driver’s licence number 

• Registration number of vehicles in the accident 

• CTP insurance details  

Step 3 – Are there witnesses? 

If you can, collect contact details of any bystanders who witnessed the accident, including: 

• Names and addresses 

• Mobile or telephone number 

Step 4 – Take photos and notes 

Record as much detail as you can of the accident site, including: 

• Photos 

• The time and date 

• Location of the accident (look for local street signs) 

• Any detail you can remember (such as whether the sun was rising or setting, if there were traffic lights, what was happening immediately prior to the accident) 

Step 5 – Did the accident involve public transport? 

If the accident involved a tram, bus or train, contact the relevant public transport operator. You’ll need their incident report number for your TAC claim form.  

Step 6 – See your doctor 

As soon as you can, see your doctor so they can assess and treat your injuries. It’s important to: 

• Let your doctor know how your injuries were caused 

• Tell your doctor about every injury, however small you think it is 

• Ask your doctor to complete and sign a Certificate of Capacity (the TAC medical certificate) 

The Certificate of Capacity can be completed by your treating doctor at the hospital or your GP, depending on the nature and extent of your injuries. 

Step 7 – Make a TAC claim 

The information you collect in steps 1 – 5 is needed for your TAC claim. The three ways to make a TAC claim are detailed in the next section.  

Three ways to make a TAC claim 

When you have gathered the information detailed in steps 1 – 6 above, you are ready to make a TAC claim. There are three different ways to make a TAC claim: 

One – Use the online lodgment form 

The online lodgment form can be accessed on the TAC website here. Once you start the online lodgment form you have ten days to complete and submit it. You can start a new form if you haven’t submitted it within ten days. 

Two – By telephone 

Contact the Transport Accident Commission by phone on 1300 654 329 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm). 

Three – If you’re in hospital 

If your injuries mean you are in hospital, a Patient Liaison Officer may be able to arrange for a TAC claim to be lodged on your behalf. 

Completing the TAC claim form 

The information you need to complete the TAC claim form includes:  

Accident details 

This is the information detailed in steps 1 — 5 above. 

Injury details 

This is written information about your road accident injuries, referred to in step 6 above. The written information can be: 

• A signed Certificate of Capacity 

• Hospital discharge summary 

• Medical certificate 

• Letter from your doctor or an allied health professional (such as a physiotherapist) 

Financial details 

This is information about your employment, income and bank accounts. 

How Shine Lawyers can help with your TAC claim 

Shine’s experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers can help with all aspects of your TAC claim. During your obligation-free meeting with one of our team, we’ll listen to what happened to you and the impact your injuries are having on your life and work. We can then advise you of your TAC claim eligibility, best compensation options and support you through the TAC claim process. We also understand the relevant time limits involved in making a TAC claim.  

Get in touch with Shine Lawyers. Our TAC lawyers Melbourne and motor vehicle accident lawyers work on a No Win No Fee* basis.

*Conditions apply