The TAC is a Victorian Government-owned organisation. If you are injured in a transport accident in Victoria and have an accepted TAC claim, we can help pay for the treatment and services you need. It doesn’t matter who was at fault.

The type and amount of support you receive and the length of time you need support, will depend on your circumstances. Support from the TAC can include:

• Helping to pay for medical treatment, equipment and services, including ambulance costs.
• Support services to help you and your family.
• Income support if you can’t work because of your accident injuries.
• Return to work support when the time is right.

A lump-sum payment if you are eligible for compensation.

Read more about what we can pay for

The TAC does not cover things such as:

• Damage to your car, motorbike, scooter, bicycle or other type of transport.
• Damage to non-medical personal items (motorcycle gear, clothes, mobile phones etc).
• Treatment or services that are not related to your transport accident or payable under our legislation.

Your TAC claims manager will provide more information about your eligibility and how to access treatments, services and benefits.

Your family and friends may also need support after your accident. The TAC can help pay for supports for your immediate family including:

• counselling for immediate family members
• travel and accommodation for immediate family to visit the hospital if you live more than 100 kilometres from the hospital
• loss of wages for parents of injured dependent children.

Read more about support for family and loved ones

Your TAC claims manager can help with more information about accessing these services and benefits. Hospital social workers can also help you find the right support, and they may refer your family and friends to an appropriate provider or service.

If you’re the parent or guardian of a minor injured in a transport accident, your child can have unique needs. Visit our children, young people and families hub on our website for more information.

Amber Community is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free, professional, face-to-face and telephone counselling and support to people affected by road trauma. Find more on their website at ambercommunity.org.au or call 1300 367 797.

Please note: the TAC cannot provide income support to family and friends who take time off work to be with you. It is important that they talk to their employer about the type of leave that may be available to them.

While you are in hospital, your claims manager will:

• meet with you, your support people and health professionals
• explain the role of the TAC and how we can help
• provide information about your eligibility for TAC benefits
• make decisions about what treatments and services we can pay for
• develop an understanding of your individual circumstances and needs
• find out what is important to you and your support people
• work closely with you, your support people and your healthcare team to ensure the right services and supports are in place when you return home.

If you have any questions about the TAC, contact your claims manager in the first instance.

Your TAC claims manager will change at key times throughout your recovery and rehabilitation.  We will always let you know and make sure you have the right supports in place through each stage.

What happens at the hospital

• Doctors and other health professionals will provide the first stage of care. They will give you the best emergency treatment available.
• Your healthcare team will track your progress and talk to you about the steps you need to follow.
• A hospital staff member or your support person will lodge a TAC claim

What the TAC will do when your claim accepted

We will:

• send you a TAC claim acceptance pack
• pay your ambulance and hospital bills
• assign you a TAC claims manager who will meet with you and your support people in the hospital and explain more about how we can help you.

What you and your family can do

• Take an active part in your recovery and ask questions. This will help you understand as much as possible about your injuries and the journey ahead.
• Keep receipts for any payments related to your accident injuries. The TAC may be able to reimburse you.
• Discuss support options with a hospital social worker or your TAC claims manager.
• Consider your options for a rehabilitation hospital (see stage 2).
• If any aspect of your care causes confusion, speak to a social worker, nurse or the leading doctor.

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation helps you build skills and confidence to be as independent as possible. You will do this through relearning and retraining. Your rehabilitation may include tailored therapies and supports.

The focus of rehabilitation is to improve your health, build your independence and prepare you for a safe return to home and everyday life.

What happens at the hospital

Health professionals will work with you to understand your strengths, needs and goals. This could include:

• rehabilitation physicians or “doctors”
• physiotherapists
• occupational therapists
• speech therapist
• social workers and,
• other roles.

They will assess how your injuries affect your day-to-day activities. This will include developing a tailored rehabilitation program.

What the TAC will do

We will:

• continue to pay appropriate rehabilitation and support services
• support you to maximise your independence
• work with you, your support people and treating team to start planning your return home. This is called a hospital discharge plan.
• start to develop your MyPlan. This outlines your goals, and the supports you need to achieve them.

What you and your support people can do

• Discuss your injuries and treatment with the hospital to understand the process of rehabilitation
• Take an active part in planning your rehabilitation and recovery goals.
• Participate in your rehabilitation program.
• Discuss your progress with your treating team and TAC claims manager
• Talk with your claims manager and healthcare team about a discharge plan and the support you may need at home.

Returning home after a serious injury can be a significant change. You may face challenges along the way. Support from your family, friends, healthcare team and peer support networks are important. They can help you build confidence and independence and help you work towards your goals.

What happens when you leave hospital

You move back to day-to-day life with the right treatment and services in place to support you.

What the TAC will do

We will:

• continue to pay for appropriate treatment and services and provide options that suit your needs and goals.
• review your MyPlan regularly to ensure you have the right services and supports in place.

What you can do

• Take charge of your recovery to maximise your independence and focus on what matters most to you.
• Talk to your healthcare team and your TAC claims manager if you have questions about your progress, or if your support needs change.

As you get ready to leave hospital, take some time to think about what matters most to you and the support you may need at home. This might include:

• accommodation options
• managing household and day-to-day tasks
• caring for children
• treatment and rehabilitation
• your social life and relationships
• activities and hobbies you enjoy
• new interests you would like to explore
• returning to work or study
• travel arrangements

The TAC will continue to pay for the treatment and support services you need as a result of your injuries. This may include medical, rehabilitation and disability services provided by qualified health professionals.

Your claims manager will:

• meet with you, your support people and healthcare team
• work with you and your healthcare team to develop a hospital discharge plan
• provide information about your eligibility for TAC benefits
• make decisions about what treatment and services we can help pay for
• develop an understanding of your individual circumstances and needs
• find out what is important to you and your family
• work with you, your support people and your healthcare team to make sure you have the services and supports you need to return home
• help you develop a MyPlan, that highlights your goals at home, at work and in the community.

When leaving hospital your accommodation options will depend on your physical, social and support needs. If you cannot return home, your claims manager and healthcare team will work with you to find suitable, registered accommodation. They will consider your needs, goals, and level of support you need.

If your accommodation needs change over time, your claims manager can work with you to review available options.

When leaving the hospital, a new stage of rehabilitation and life begins. Things you may start doing include:

• working with new health providers in your local community
• attending outpatient rehabilitation appointments
• planning a return to work
• studying
• other meaningful activities.

Your claims manager will get in contact soon after your discharge from hospital. During this check in they will:

• discuss your progress
• ensure your support services are working well
• discuss any unexpected challenges.

If you're working with an occupational therapist (OT), they will visit you soon after you leave hospital. During the visit, the OT will discuss how you are adjusting to life at home and in the community. They will review if your current supports and services are meeting your needs and may provide recommendations to the TAC.

This is an opportunity to discuss:

• what is working well
• any challenges you are experiencing
• if you need changes to your supports to help you achieve your goals.

Your TAC claims manager will provide you with more information about this visit.

Returning to work, kinder, school, study or volunteering can help you reconnect with your community. This can give you a sense of purpose and help reintroduce your daily routines. It can help you build confidence and achieve your goals.

As you adjust to life after hospital, it can be helpful to think about how your work or study arrangements may have changed. You may need:

• extra training
• workplace modifications
• different duties
• flexible work arrangements
• support to explore new opportunities
• special needs considerations
• supported employment services
• reasonable adjustments for study
• education support services or
• inclusion programs in preschool and childcare.

If you aim to return to your previous job, your claims manager can start discussions with your employer. They can work with you and your employer to find appropriate support options.

If you don’t return to your previous job, we can support you to find new employment opportunities, develop new skills, pursue further education, or self-employment. Your claims manager can document your goals in your MyPlan and help find the support and services you need.

The TAC can help you access a supported employment service. Supported employment services can help you find a job that interests you and suits your abilities.

Read more about Supported Employment Services

Taking part in activities you enjoy within your community can help improve your wellbeing, independence, connection and quality of life.

You can include this information in your MyPlan. Your claims manager and healthcare team can help you find activities based on your abilities, interests and goals. You may choose to return to activities you enjoyed before your accident or try something new.  This might include:

• sport and recreation
• creative activities
• volunteering
• community groups
• education
• social activities with family and friends.

Many organisations and services can help you make connections in your community. This can include local libraries, community centres, health services, sporting clubs and educational providers.

The TAC can help you take part in activities through a Community Group Program.

Read more about Community Group Programs

Many public venues and transport services offer accessibility features. If you need support from a family member, friend or carer to attend activities, you may be eligible for programs such as the Companion Card. You may also be eligible for half price taxis through the Victorian government.

• Companion Card: call 1800 650 611
• Public Transport Victoria: ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 for information on a free Access Travel Pass
• Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP): safetransport.vic.gov.au

The TAC is a Victorian Government-owned organisation. If you are injured in a transport accident in Victoria and have an accepted TAC claim, we can help pay for the treatment and services you need. It doesn’t matter who was at fault.

The type and amount of support you receive and the length of time you need support, will depend on your circumstances. Support from the TAC can include:

• Helping to pay for medical treatment, equipment and services, including ambulance costs.
• Support services to help you and your family.
• Income support if you can’t work because of your accident injuries.
• Return to work support when the time is right.

A lump-sum payment if you are eligible for compensation.

Read more about what we can pay for

The TAC does not cover things such as:

• Damage to your car, motorbike, scooter, bicycle or other type of transport.
• Damage to non-medical personal items (motorcycle gear, clothes, mobile phones etc).
• Treatment or services that are not related to your transport accident or payable under our legislation.

Your TAC claims manager will provide more information about your eligibility and how to access treatments, services and benefits.

Your family and friends may also need support after your accident. The TAC can help pay for supports for your immediate family including:

• counselling for immediate family members
• travel and accommodation for immediate family to visit the hospital if you live more than 100 kilometres from the hospital
• loss of wages for parents of injured dependent children.

Read more about support for family and loved ones

Your TAC claims manager can help with more information about accessing these services and benefits. Hospital social workers can also help you find the right support, and they may refer your family and friends to an appropriate provider or service.

If you’re the parent or guardian of a minor injured in a transport accident, your child can have unique needs. Visit our children, young people and families hub on our website for more information.

Amber Community is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free, professional, face-to-face and telephone counselling and support to people affected by road trauma. Find more on their website at ambercommunity.org.au or call 1300 367 797.

Please note: the TAC cannot provide income support to family and friends who take time off work to be with you. It is important that they talk to their employer about the type of leave that may be available to them.

While you are in hospital, your claims manager will:

• meet with you, your support people and health professionals
• explain the role of the TAC and how we can help
• provide information about your eligibility for TAC benefits
• make decisions about what treatments and services we can pay for
• develop an understanding of your individual circumstances and needs
• find out what is important to you and your support people
• work closely with you, your support people and your healthcare team to ensure the right services and supports are in place when you return home.

If you have any questions about the TAC, contact your claims manager in the first instance.

Your TAC claims manager will change at key times throughout your recovery and rehabilitation.  We will always let you know and make sure you have the right supports in place through each stage.

What happens at the hospital

• Doctors and other health professionals will provide the first stage of care. They will give you the best emergency treatment available.
• Your healthcare team will track your progress and talk to you about the steps you need to follow.
• A hospital staff member or your support person will lodge a TAC claim

What the TAC will do when your claim accepted

We will:

• send you a TAC claim acceptance pack
• pay your ambulance and hospital bills
• assign you a TAC claims manager who will meet with you and your support people in the hospital and explain more about how we can help you.

What you and your family can do

• Take an active part in your recovery and ask questions. This will help you understand as much as possible about your injuries and the journey ahead.
• Keep receipts for any payments related to your accident injuries. The TAC may be able to reimburse you.
• Discuss support options with a hospital social worker or your TAC claims manager.
• Consider your options for a rehabilitation hospital (see stage 2).
• If any aspect of your care causes confusion, speak to a social worker, nurse or the leading doctor.

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation helps you build skills and confidence to be as independent as possible. You will do this through relearning and retraining. Your rehabilitation may include tailored therapies and supports.

The focus of rehabilitation is to improve your health, build your independence and prepare you for a safe return to home and everyday life.

What happens at the hospital

Health professionals will work with you to understand your strengths, needs and goals. This could include:

• rehabilitation physicians or “doctors”
• physiotherapists
• occupational therapists
• speech therapist
• social workers and,
• other roles.

They will assess how your injuries affect your day-to-day activities. This will include developing a tailored rehabilitation program.

What the TAC will do

We will:

• continue to pay appropriate rehabilitation and support services
• support you to maximise your independence
• work with you, your support people and treating team to start planning your return home. This is called a hospital discharge plan.
• start to develop your MyPlan. This outlines your goals, and the supports you need to achieve them.

What you and your support people can do

• Discuss your injuries and treatment with the hospital to understand the process of rehabilitation
• Take an active part in planning your rehabilitation and recovery goals.
• Participate in your rehabilitation program.
• Discuss your progress with your treating team and TAC claims manager
• Talk with your claims manager and healthcare team about a discharge plan and the support you may need at home.

Returning home after a serious injury can be a significant change. You may face challenges along the way. Support from your family, friends, healthcare team and peer support networks are important. They can help you build confidence and independence and help you work towards your goals.

What happens when you leave hospital

You move back to day-to-day life with the right treatment and services in place to support you.

What the TAC will do

We will:

• continue to pay for appropriate treatment and services and provide options that suit your needs and goals.
• review your MyPlan regularly to ensure you have the right services and supports in place.

What you can do

• Take charge of your recovery to maximise your independence and focus on what matters most to you.
• Talk to your healthcare team and your TAC claims manager if you have questions about your progress, or if your support needs change.

As you get ready to leave hospital, take some time to think about what matters most to you and the support you may need at home. This might include:

• accommodation options
• managing household and day-to-day tasks
• caring for children
• treatment and rehabilitation
• your social life and relationships
• activities and hobbies you enjoy
• new interests you would like to explore
• returning to work or study
• travel arrangements

The TAC will continue to pay for the treatment and support services you need as a result of your injuries. This may include medical, rehabilitation and disability services provided by qualified health professionals.

Your claims manager will:

• meet with you, your support people and healthcare team
• work with you and your healthcare team to develop a hospital discharge plan
• provide information about your eligibility for TAC benefits
• make decisions about what treatment and services we can help pay for
• develop an understanding of your individual circumstances and needs
• find out what is important to you and your family
• work with you, your support people and your healthcare team to make sure you have the services and supports you need to return home
• help you develop a MyPlan, that highlights your goals at home, at work and in the community.

When leaving hospital your accommodation options will depend on your physical, social and support needs. If you cannot return home, your claims manager and healthcare team will work with you to find suitable, registered accommodation. They will consider your needs, goals, and level of support you need.

If your accommodation needs change over time, your claims manager can work with you to review available options.

When leaving the hospital, a new stage of rehabilitation and life begins. Things you may start doing include:

• working with new health providers in your local community
• attending outpatient rehabilitation appointments
• planning a return to work
• studying
• other meaningful activities.

Your claims manager will get in contact soon after your discharge from hospital. During this check in they will:

• discuss your progress
• ensure your support services are working well
• discuss any unexpected challenges.

If you're working with an occupational therapist (OT), they will visit you soon after you leave hospital. During the visit, the OT will discuss how you are adjusting to life at home and in the community. They will review if your current supports and services are meeting your needs and may provide recommendations to the TAC.

This is an opportunity to discuss:

• what is working well
• any challenges you are experiencing
• if you need changes to your supports to help you achieve your goals.

Your TAC claims manager will provide you with more information about this visit.

Returning to work, kinder, school, study or volunteering can help you reconnect with your community. This can give you a sense of purpose and help reintroduce your daily routines. It can help you build confidence and achieve your goals.

As you adjust to life after hospital, it can be helpful to think about how your work or study arrangements may have changed. You may need:

• extra training
• workplace modifications
• different duties
• flexible work arrangements
• support to explore new opportunities
• special needs considerations
• supported employment services
• reasonable adjustments for study
• education support services or
• inclusion programs in preschool and childcare.

If you aim to return to your previous job, your claims manager can start discussions with your employer. They can work with you and your employer to find appropriate support options.

If you don’t return to your previous job, we can support you to find new employment opportunities, develop new skills, pursue further education, or self-employment. Your claims manager can document your goals in your MyPlan and help find the support and services you need.

The TAC can help you access a supported employment service. Supported employment services can help you find a job that interests you and suits your abilities.

Read more about Supported Employment Services

Taking part in activities you enjoy within your community can help improve your wellbeing, independence, connection and quality of life.

You can include this information in your MyPlan. Your claims manager and healthcare team can help you find activities based on your abilities, interests and goals. You may choose to return to activities you enjoyed before your accident or try something new.  This might include:

• sport and recreation
• creative activities
• volunteering
• community groups
• education
• social activities with family and friends.

Many organisations and services can help you make connections in your community. This can include local libraries, community centres, health services, sporting clubs and educational providers.

The TAC can help you take part in activities through a Community Group Program.

Read more about Community Group Programs

Many public venues and transport services offer accessibility features. If you need support from a family member, friend or carer to attend activities, you may be eligible for programs such as the Companion Card. You may also be eligible for half price taxis through the Victorian government.

• Companion Card: call 1800 650 611
• Public Transport Victoria: ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007 for information on a free Access Travel Pass
• Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP): safetransport.vic.gov.au