How compensation works in Victoria
Every state runs its own schemes, and Victoria is no exception. Which one applies depends on where you were hurt, not how badly: a crash goes through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) under the Transport Accident Act 1986, a work injury through WorkSafe Victoria (WorkCover) under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, and an injury on someone else’s property or in a public place is a negligence claim under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic). Our panel lawyers in Melbourne work across all of them.
Road accidents
Victoria runs a no-fault scheme: TAC pays medical expenses, income support and impairment benefits whoever caused the crash, including single-vehicle accidents. Report the accident and lodge the TAC claim within 12 months (earlier is better; benefits can be limited for late claims). The thresholds, caps and the no-fault cover for catastrophic injuries are set out on the Victoria road accident page.
Injuries at work
Workers in Victoria are covered by WorkSafe Victoria (WorkCover) under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, which pays income support, treatment and a permanent impairment lump sum without proof of fault. Where the employer was negligent, a common law damages claim may also be open; the impairment thresholds and lodgement steps are on the Victoria work injury page.
Public liability
Injuries in shops, rental properties, parks and public places are negligence claims under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic). Proof, thresholds and the evidence that decides these cases are covered on the Victoria public liability page.
Medical negligence
Claims against doctors and hospitals need expert evidence that care fell below a reasonable standard and caused harm; how that works in Victoria, including time limits, is on the Victoria medical negligence page.
Time limits in Victoria
The court deadline for most personal injury claims is three years, but the dates that actually decide claims are the earlier notice and lodgement steps set out above. Missing one does not always end a claim, but it hands the insurer an argument and makes everything harder. If you are unsure where you stand, the free check above takes two minutes.
What you can claim
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, where the state threshold is met
- Economic loss: income already lost and future loss of earning capacity, including superannuation
- Treatment and care: medical, rehabilitation, equipment, home modifications, and care provided by family
- Dependency claims for families where an accident was fatal