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Community nursing

We can help pay for this treatment in the first 90 days after your accident. You do not need to contact us for approval first if:

  • you have a TAC claim number
  • your doctor or other health professional recommends it, and
  • it is for your accident injuries.

We may contact you or your provider to check your progress and see if you are getting the support you need. This will help us make sure your treatment is helping your recovery. It will allow us to make decisions about what treatment we can pay for and how long we can pay for it.

How to get a community nurse

  1. Talk to your doctor, occupational therapist or physical therapist. They can recommend a nursing service.
  2. Call the nursing service and make an appointment. Tell them you are a TAC client. Ask if they charge at TAC rates. If the provider charges more, they may ask you for a 'gap payment' to make up the difference
  3. Give the community nurse your TAC claim number at the first visit.

When you need to ask for TAC approval:

Please contact us for approval if it is:

  • close to or more than 90 days since your accident and we haven’t already approved more treatment, or
  • more than 6 months since you’ve had any treatment or service paid for by the TAC.

Community nurses come to your home after your accident. They provide general nursing care and will help with things like changing dressings and wound management.

How we pay for treatment

There are two ways we can pay for your approved treatments and services:

  • we pay your provider at the TAC rate
  • you pay your provider, and we repay you at the TAC rate.

To ask for a reimbursement, scan or take a photo of your receipt. Send it to us with the ‘Claim reimbursement’ button on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au and we will repay you.

We will pay for your treatment at the TAC rate . If your provider charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference. This is known as a 'gap payment'.

If your provider charges you a gap payment, you may be able to seek reimbursement for some of this through:

  • Medicare or your private health insurance
  • The TAC.

Please note, in most cases, we are unable to reimburse you for a gap payment. This is because we have paid for your treatment or service at a rate we have determined is reasonable. You may still ask for a reimbursement from the TAC and we will let you know our decision.

We can help pay for this treatment in the first 90 days after your accident. You do not need to contact us for approval first if:

  • you have a TAC claim number
  • your doctor or other health professional recommends it, and
  • it is for your accident injuries.

We may contact you or your provider to check your progress and see if you are getting the support you need. This will help us make sure your treatment is helping your recovery. It will allow us to make decisions about what treatment we can pay for and how long we can pay for it.

How to get a community nurse

  1. Talk to your doctor, occupational therapist or physical therapist. They can recommend a nursing service.
  2. Call the nursing service and make an appointment. Tell them you are a TAC client. Ask if they charge at TAC rates. If the provider charges more, they may ask you for a 'gap payment' to make up the difference
  3. Give the community nurse your TAC claim number at the first visit.

When you need to ask for TAC approval:

Please contact us for approval if it is:

  • close to or more than 90 days since your accident and we haven’t already approved more treatment, or
  • more than 6 months since you’ve had any treatment or service paid for by the TAC.

Community nurses come to your home after your accident. They provide general nursing care and will help with things like changing dressings and wound management.

How we pay for treatment

There are two ways we can pay for your approved treatments and services:

  • we pay your provider at the TAC rate
  • you pay your provider, and we repay you at the TAC rate.

To ask for a reimbursement, scan or take a photo of your receipt. Send it to us with the ‘Claim reimbursement’ button on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au and we will repay you.

We will pay for your treatment at the TAC rate . If your provider charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference. This is known as a 'gap payment'.

If your provider charges you a gap payment, you may be able to seek reimbursement for some of this through:

  • Medicare or your private health insurance
  • The TAC.

Please note, in most cases, we are unable to reimburse you for a gap payment. This is because we have paid for your treatment or service at a rate we have determined is reasonable. You may still ask for a reimbursement from the TAC and we will let you know our decision.

Effective 1 July 2024

The TAC has extended the funding of temporary telehealth services previously scheduled to end on 30 September 2020 until further notice, giving clients the ongoing convenience and flexibility of accessing health services from home.

Nursing services can be invoiced online via HICAPS Digital for next business day payments.

For nursing services provided on or after 1 July 2024 by a provider who is GST registered
Registered for GST
Service DescriptionPublic Hospital Corresponding Item NumberTAC Item NumberMaximum
Payment
Rate
Nurse Care
Nursing Episode PUB09 NS650 $108.56
The Episodic fee is NOT to be used as an hourly rate. The Episodic fee is for each visit by the Community Nurse to the TAC client. The fee is inclusive of all penalties and allowances, consumables and travel associated with the nursing episode.  Extended visits, complex care and high cost consumables require prior TAC approval.
Nursing Attendance at the scene of a transport accident (pro rata per hour)   NS655 $108.56
This fee is inclusive of all penalties & allowances, consumables and travel associated with attendance and nursing assistance rendered at the scene of a transport accident.
Specialist Assessment
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) PUB670 NS670* $119.55
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) (Telehealth)PUB670NS670T*$119.55
Travel with prior approval (per hour)  PUB675 NS675* $119.55
Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the nurse's practice address and the TAC client's residence.  Where more than one client is visited in a single period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided.
All travel is to be billed in blocks of 15-minutes.  
Report (per hour)  PUB680 NS680* $119.55
When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account.
Training provided by a nurse with prior approval (per hour) PUB685 NS685 $108.56
Long Term Nursing
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - 24 hr care   NS201 $117.14
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - Daytime only   NS202 $111.29
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - 24 hr care   NS204 $119.92
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - Daytime only   NS205 $114.23
Nursing Care Coordination   NS203 $107.98
For nursing services provided between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 by a provider who is GST registered
Registered for GST
Service DescriptionPublic Hospital Corresponding Item NumberTAC Item NumberMaximum
Payment
Rate
Nurse Care
Nursing Episode PUB09 NS650 $104.58
The Episodic fee is NOT to be used as an hourly rate. The Episodic fee is for each visit by the Community Nurse to the TAC client. The fee is inclusive of all penalties and allowances, consumables and travel associated with the nursing episode.  Extended visits, complex care and high cost consumables require prior TAC approval.
Nursing Attendance at the scene of a transport accident (pro rata per hour)   NS655 $104.58
This fee is inclusive of all penalties & allowances, consumables and travel associated with attendance and nursing assistance rendered at the scene of a transport accident.
Specialist Assessment
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) PUB670 NS670* $115.16
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) (Telehealth)PUB670NS670T*$115.16
Travel with prior approval (per hour)  PUB675 NS675* $115.16
Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the nurse's practice address and the TAC client's residence.  Where more than one client is visited in a single period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided.
All travel is to be billed in blocks of 15-minutes.  
Report (per hour)  PUB680 NS680* $115.16
When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account.
Training provided by a nurse with prior approval (per hour) PUB685 NS685 $104.58
Long Term Nursing
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - 24 hr care   NS201 $112.84
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - Daytime only   NS202 $107.21
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - 24 hr care   NS204 $115.52
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - Daytime only   NS205 $110.04
Nursing Care Coordination   NS203 $104.02
For Nursing services performed by a provider who is not registered for GST
Not Registered for GST
Service DescriptionPublic Hospital Corresponding Item NumberTAC Item Number2024/25 
Maximum Payment
Rate		2023/24 
Maximum Payment
Rate
Specialist Assessment
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) PUB670 NS670F $108.69$104.70
Travel with prior approval (per hour)  PUB675 NS675F $108.69$104.70
Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the nurse's practice address and the TAC client's residence.  Where more than one client is visited in a single period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided.
All travel is to be billed in blocks of 15-minutes.    
Report (per hour)  PUB680 NS680F $108.69$104.70
When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account.
For nursing services provided on or after 1 July 2024 by a provider who is GST registered
Registered for GST
Service DescriptionPublic Hospital Corresponding Item NumberTAC Item NumberMaximum
Payment
Rate
Nurse Care
Nursing Episode PUB09 NS650 $108.56
The Episodic fee is NOT to be used as an hourly rate. The Episodic fee is for each visit by the Community Nurse to the TAC client. The fee is inclusive of all penalties and allowances, consumables and travel associated with the nursing episode.  Extended visits, complex care and high cost consumables require prior TAC approval.
Nursing Attendance at the scene of a transport accident (pro rata per hour)   NS655 $108.56
This fee is inclusive of all penalties & allowances, consumables and travel associated with attendance and nursing assistance rendered at the scene of a transport accident.
Specialist Assessment
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) PUB670 NS670* $119.55
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) (Telehealth)PUB670NS670T*$119.55
Travel with prior approval (per hour)  PUB675 NS675* $119.55
Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the nurse's practice address and the TAC client's residence.  Where more than one client is visited in a single period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided.
All travel is to be billed in blocks of 15-minutes.  
Report (per hour)  PUB680 NS680* $119.55
When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account.
Training provided by a nurse with prior approval (per hour) PUB685 NS685 $108.56
Long Term Nursing
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - 24 hr care   NS201 $117.14
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - Daytime only   NS202 $111.29
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - 24 hr care   NS204 $119.92
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - Daytime only   NS205 $114.23
Nursing Care Coordination   NS203 $107.98
For nursing services provided between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 by a provider who is GST registered
Registered for GST
Service DescriptionPublic Hospital Corresponding Item NumberTAC Item NumberMaximum
Payment
Rate
Nurse Care
Nursing Episode PUB09 NS650 $104.58
The Episodic fee is NOT to be used as an hourly rate. The Episodic fee is for each visit by the Community Nurse to the TAC client. The fee is inclusive of all penalties and allowances, consumables and travel associated with the nursing episode.  Extended visits, complex care and high cost consumables require prior TAC approval.
Nursing Attendance at the scene of a transport accident (pro rata per hour)   NS655 $104.58
This fee is inclusive of all penalties & allowances, consumables and travel associated with attendance and nursing assistance rendered at the scene of a transport accident.
Specialist Assessment
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) PUB670 NS670* $115.16
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) (Telehealth)PUB670NS670T*$115.16
Travel with prior approval (per hour)  PUB675 NS675* $115.16
Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the nurse's practice address and the TAC client's residence.  Where more than one client is visited in a single period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided.
All travel is to be billed in blocks of 15-minutes.  
Report (per hour)  PUB680 NS680* $115.16
When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account.
Training provided by a nurse with prior approval (per hour) PUB685 NS685 $104.58
Long Term Nursing
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - 24 hr care   NS201 $112.84
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is also being paid - Daytime only   NS202 $107.21
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - 24 hr care   NS204 $115.52
General nursing when Nursing Care Coordination is NOT being paid - Daytime only   NS205 $110.04
Nursing Care Coordination   NS203 $104.02
For Nursing services performed by a provider who is not registered for GST
Not Registered for GST
Service DescriptionPublic Hospital Corresponding Item NumberTAC Item Number2024/25 
Maximum Payment
Rate		2023/24 
Maximum Payment
Rate
Specialist Assessment
Specialist assessment by a nurse to review client's medical care needs (per hour) PUB670 NS670F $108.69$104.70
Travel with prior approval (per hour)  PUB675 NS675F $108.69$104.70
Travel time can be claimed only for travel to and from the nurse's practice address and the TAC client's residence.  Where more than one client is visited in a single period, total travel costs should be apportioned equally between those clients to whom services have been provided.
All travel is to be billed in blocks of 15-minutes.    
Report (per hour)  PUB680 NS680F $108.69$104.70
When submitting an account for payment, details of the time taken to complete the report must be recorded on the account.

We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you after your accident we will pay for community nursing services provided within Australia.

In the first 90 days after your accident, the TAC can help pay for this treatment without the need for you to contact us for approval first.

When you need to contact us for approval

You or your provider need to contact the TAC for approval of this treatment if:

  • It is approaching or more than 90 days since your accident and we have not approved further treatment or services, or
  • It has been more than 6 months since you’ve had any treatment or service paid for by the TAC.

When we can pay for community nursing

In the first 90 days after your accident, if your treater recommends you get help from a community nursing service because of your injuries, there’s no need to contact us for approval first.

After the first 90 days, you will need TAC approval for more community nursing.

If needed, we can work with your treating team to help organise the nursing services and support you need.

There may be times when we will contact your nursing service to discuss your progress or ask for an assessment to make sure that:

  • You get the most appropriate treatment and support.
  • You are getting proven, evidence-based treatment and not receiving treatment that isn't helping you recover.
  • You are moving towards getting your life back on track or being able to live independently.

Treatment and services we can’t pay for

We can’t pay for services that:

  • Do not treat your transport accident injuries.
  • Are not reasonable, necessary or appropriate.
  • Are not clinically justified, safe and effective.

What will my community nurse do?

Community nurses will come to your home and can provide a number of services you need as a result of your transport accident injuries. This includes care after a hospital stay, general nursing care and wound management.

For more information please see the following resources:

How community nursing is paid for

We pay for your nursing services:

  • Directly to your nursing service, when you have given them your TAC claim number, or
  • If you have to pay, use myTAC to send a copy of your receipt to us and we will repay you.

We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.

How much we will pay

We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your service charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference. For a list of TAC rates, see:

For providers

If you are a community nursing provider, please refer to our TAC Provider Guidelines.

See what else we can pay for
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