Travel and accommodation

How the TAC can help with travel and accommodation

When we accept your TAC claim, or approve a treatment or service, you are covered for:

You don't need to contact us for this travel if it's to and from an approved treatment or service and it's:

  • In a private car
  • On public transport
    • In a train, bus or tram. Keep your receipts or tickets and we can reimburse you.

If you need to travel by taxi or a ridesharing service, you need to contact us for approval first.

How we pay for your travel

If you have paid for public transport, scan or take a photo of your receipts, tickets or myki statements. Send them to us with the ‘Claim reimbursement’ button on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au and we will repay you.

Send us a completed Travel expense declaration form and we will reimburse your travel in a private vehicle.

Immediate family members need to send us a TAC Visiting Expenses Declaration to claim the cost of visiting an injured person in a hospital.

Taxi travel and ridesharing services

You need to contact us for approval before we can pay for your travel by taxi or a ridesharing service, such as Uber.

We may pay for this type of travel if:

  • You can’t drive or take public transport because of your accident injuries
  • The travel is to and from medical, rehabilitation or disability services related to your transport accident injuries.

How to find out if we can pay for taxi travel or a ridesharing service

  1. Please call the TAC to speak to your claim manager
  2. To make a decision about this travel, your claim manager will think about:
    1. your injuries,
    2. where you need to travel to, and
    3. how you travelled before your accident.
  3. If we agree to pay for your travel, you can choose your taxi or ridesharing service provider. You should let your claims manager know which provider you choose.

How we pay for taxi travel or a ridesharing service

Taxi

If your taxi provider invoices us, we will pay them for your taxi travel.

If you need to pay your taxi provider, send us your receipts for reimbursement with a Travel expense declaration form. You can send this using the ‘Reimbursement form’ button under 'Upload documents' on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au.

Ridesharing service such as Uber

You need to pay for your travel and then send your receipts to the TAC for reimbursement with a Travel expense declaration form. You can send this using the ‘Reimbursement form’ button under 'Upload documents' on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au.

We will monitor your taxi or ridesharing travel

We may collect information from your provider about your travel. This is to make sure your travel is in line with what we can pay for under the Transport Accident Act 1986. If you would like a copy of the information we collect, please let us know.

If you misuse the travel that we pay for, we may ask that you repay us, or we may take further action.

How to ask for more taxi or ridesharing travel

You should keep track of your travel. If you think you will need the TAC to pay for more travel, please ask your health provider to contact us before your current approval runs out.

Your health provider will need to provide a medical reason related to your transport accident injuries for this type of travel. They will also need to tell us how long they think you will need taxi or ridesharing travel for.

If your current approval runs out, you will need to pay for your own travel.  After we receive more information from your health provider, we can reimburse you if we approve more taxi or ridesharing travel.

Travel and accommodation for family members

If you're in a hospital, we will pay for travel and accommodation for family members who live more than 100km away to visit you.

If you are a dependent child we can pay for your parent’s travel and accommodation so they can visit you in the hospital.

How to book your own travel and accommodation to visit an injured family member

You can book your own travel and accommodation to visit a family member injured in a transport accident if you are:

Please call Corporate Traveller on 03 8535 1640 to book your travel and accommodation. Have these details when you call:

  • TAC claim number of the injured person
  • Details of the people travelling to visit them in the hospital.

When you book travel and accommodation with Corporate Traveller, you will not be out of pocket. Corporate Traveller will invoice the TAC.

There is a maximum amount we can pay for travel and accommodation. We will get in touch with you to let you know when you are close to spending this amount.

If you travel in a private car to and from treatment related to your transport accident injuries, we can pay 30 cents for each kilometre your car travels.

Please complete a Travel expense declaration form to make a claim.

This fee should be read in conjunction with the policy on travel benefits.

How we calculate the private vehicle travel reimbursement rate

The reimbursement rate calculates the "average" running costs and vehicle depreciation associated with travelling extra distances for defined purposes associated with a TAC claim.

The running costs are made up of the following factors:

  • Tyres
  • Service/repairs
  • Fuel

The TAC will review and update this rate annually.

For family members visiting a TAC client in hospital we can pay the costs of a hotel or motel, air fares, petrol, public transport, a hire car or taxis up to a maximum amount of $24,240. This amount applies when a claim for visiting expenses is made for the first time after 1 July 2023.

If a claim for visiting expenses was made before 1 July 2024, the maximum amount will be different. If visiting expenses were first claimed:

  • Between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, the total maximum is $23,350
  • Between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, the total maximum is $21,620
  • Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, the total maximum is $21,090
  • Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, the total maximum is $20,820
  • Between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, the total maximum is $20,410

Please email policy@tac.vic.gov.au if you need the maximum amount for an earlier date.

These maximum amounts do not apply to parents visiting a dependent child in hospital.

Immediate family member

Member of the immediate family of an injured TAC client means a partner, parent, child or sibling of the injured client.

For accidents on or after 26 September 2018, a grandparent is also included as a member of the client's immediate family.

For accidents on or after 6 July 2022, a grandchild is also included as a member of the client's immediate family.

Dependent child

Your child is a "dependent child" if they are financially dependent on you and:

  • under 18 years of age, or
  • over 18 but under 25 years of age and a full-time student or an apprentice*.

A child who has a spouse or domestic partner cannot be a dependent child.

For accidents before 6 July 2022, children aged over 16 must be a full time student or an apprentice* to be classified as a ‘dependent child’.

* Apprentice applies to accidents on or after 26 September 2018.

Summary

This form is to be used when claiming reimbursement for travel (i.e. private vehicle, public transport and/or taxi) expenses to attend: medical treatment for accident injuries; medical examinations arranged by the TAC; approved rehabilitation or disability services; or work, if you are participating in a formal Return to Work program.

How to send documents to the TAC

myTAC

myTAC is the quickest way to:

  • Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
  • Send documents and forms
  • Update your personal and banking details
  • Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for

Email

If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.

Summary

This form can be used by immediate family members of hospitalised clients to claim travel and accommodation expenses associated with visiting their loved one/s. Please note, to be eligible for reimbursement, immediate family members must reside more than 100km away from the hospital.

How to send documents to the TAC

myTAC

myTAC is the quickest way to:

  • Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
  • Send documents and forms
  • Update your personal and banking details
  • Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for

Email

If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.

Summary

This form is for claiming expenses related to travel (by private car, public transport and/or taxi) to work. (Claims for travel expenses to attend medical treatment and/or rehabilitation need to be made using a separate form titled Travel Expenses: Declaration).

How to send documents to the TAC

myTAC

myTAC is the quickest way to:

  • Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
  • Send documents and forms
  • Update your personal and banking details
  • Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for

Email

If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.

We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you get to your treatment appointments and services we will pay for your travel costs in Australia.

While you are in hospital, we can also pay the costs of travel and accommodation so that your immediate family members can visit you if they live more than 100km from your hospital.

If you are a dependent child we can pay for your parents to visit you in hospital.

TAC approved services

We will pay for:

  • Public transport (train, bus or tram) or the cost of kilometres travelled in a private vehicle or hire car for travel related to the treatment of your transport accident injury. We will only pay for travel when you go to see a member of your treating team or when the TAC or your solicitor arranges for you to attend an independent medical examination or impairment assessment.
  • Travel to work, for no more than 24 weeks (consecutive or non-consecutive) up to $1,730. We will also pay for your transport to work as part of an approved return to work program,
  • Travel to one of our pre-vocational or vocational training programs,
  • Travel to an authorised supported employment service,
  • Accommodation and meal expenses when the TAC or your solicitor arranges for you to attend an independent medical examination or impairment assessment.

If your injuries stop you from travelling to education in your usual way, we will pay for a different type of transport. For example, if you normally ride a bicycle to university and you cannot ride because of an injured leg, we will pay for you to take the bus.

We will also pay for any required road tolls or car parking when you see a member of your treating team.

Air travel

Air travel may be paid when you need to see a specialist or to attend a medical examination. We can arrange non-urgent air travel for you.

Travel costs that need TAC approval

Taxi travel and ridesharing services

We may pay for travel by taxi or a ridesharing service such as Uber if you cannot drive or take public transport because of your transport accident injuries.

Taxis and ridesharing services will only be approved if you have no other way to get to your TAC related medical appointments or to travel to other locations approved by the TAC.

How we organise the travel services you need

When needed, we will also work with your treating team to help them organise the travel services and support you need.

We may contact your treating team to discuss your progress or request an assessment to make sure that:

  • You have access to 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.

How much we will pay

We pay up to a maximum of 30 cents per kilometre when you use your own vehicle or a hire car to go to your transport accident medical appointments and consultations, or you travel to your workplace or educational facility.

For family members visiting you in hospital we can pay the costs of their travel and accommodation such as a hotel or motel, petrol, public transport, air fares, Visa application fees, a hire car or taxis/rideshare, parking and tolls up to a maximum amount of $24,240. The maximum amount does not apply to parents visiting a dependent child in hospital.

How these services are paid for

If we have arranged a taxi for you to attend a consultation or medical examination we will pay the provider directly. If you have paid for rideshare or for other travel expenses you can submit your receipt via myTAC and ask us to repay you.

For public transport repayment you will need to provide details of the travel, including the date, reason for travel and a copy of your receipt, ticket or myki statement.

Immediate family members claiming the cost of visiting the injured person in hospital should submit a TAC Visiting Expenses Declaration. We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.

What we won’t pay for

We cannot pay for:

  • A service that is not reasonable, necessary or appropriate
  • Travel where a car has been written off in the transport accident and you want us to cover the cost of hiring a vehicle or pay for associated running costs, such as fuel
  • The costs of travel, taxis or rideshare services that are not used to attend treatment of your transport accident injuries or to go to an approved location
  • The cost of your family member’s meals when they travel, stay in accommodation or visit you
  • The costs of travel or accommodation for your family members after you have been discharged from hospital.

How the TAC can help with travel and accommodation

When we accept your TAC claim, or approve a treatment or service, you are covered for:

You don't need to contact us for this travel if it's to and from an approved treatment or service and it's:

  • In a private car
  • On public transport
    • In a train, bus or tram. Keep your receipts or tickets and we can reimburse you.

If you need to travel by taxi or a ridesharing service, you need to contact us for approval first.

How we pay for your travel

If you have paid for public transport, scan or take a photo of your receipts, tickets or myki statements. Send them to us with the ‘Claim reimbursement’ button on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au and we will repay you.

Send us a completed Travel expense declaration form and we will reimburse your travel in a private vehicle.

Immediate family members need to send us a TAC Visiting Expenses Declaration to claim the cost of visiting an injured person in a hospital.

Taxi travel and ridesharing services

You need to contact us for approval before we can pay for your travel by taxi or a ridesharing service, such as Uber.

We may pay for this type of travel if:

  • You can’t drive or take public transport because of your accident injuries
  • The travel is to and from medical, rehabilitation or disability services related to your transport accident injuries.

How to find out if we can pay for taxi travel or a ridesharing service

  1. Please call the TAC to speak to your claim manager
  2. To make a decision about this travel, your claim manager will think about:
    1. your injuries,
    2. where you need to travel to, and
    3. how you travelled before your accident.
  3. If we agree to pay for your travel, you can choose your taxi or ridesharing service provider. You should let your claims manager know which provider you choose.

How we pay for taxi travel or a ridesharing service

Taxi

If your taxi provider invoices us, we will pay them for your taxi travel.

If you need to pay your taxi provider, send us your receipts for reimbursement with a Travel expense declaration form. You can send this using the ‘Reimbursement form’ button under 'Upload documents' on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au.

Ridesharing service such as Uber

You need to pay for your travel and then send your receipts to the TAC for reimbursement with a Travel expense declaration form. You can send this using the ‘Reimbursement form’ button under 'Upload documents' on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au.

We will monitor your taxi or ridesharing travel

We may collect information from your provider about your travel. This is to make sure your travel is in line with what we can pay for under the Transport Accident Act 1986. If you would like a copy of the information we collect, please let us know.

If you misuse the travel that we pay for, we may ask that you repay us, or we may take further action.

How to ask for more taxi or ridesharing travel

You should keep track of your travel. If you think you will need the TAC to pay for more travel, please ask your health provider to contact us before your current approval runs out.

Your health provider will need to provide a medical reason related to your transport accident injuries for this type of travel. They will also need to tell us how long they think you will need taxi or ridesharing travel for.

If your current approval runs out, you will need to pay for your own travel.  After we receive more information from your health provider, we can reimburse you if we approve more taxi or ridesharing travel.

Travel and accommodation for family members

If you're in a hospital, we will pay for travel and accommodation for family members who live more than 100km away to visit you.

If you are a dependent child we can pay for your parent’s travel and accommodation so they can visit you in the hospital.

How to book your own travel and accommodation to visit an injured family member

You can book your own travel and accommodation to visit a family member injured in a transport accident if you are:

Please call Corporate Traveller on 03 8535 1640 to book your travel and accommodation. Have these details when you call:

  • TAC claim number of the injured person
  • Details of the people travelling to visit them in the hospital.

When you book travel and accommodation with Corporate Traveller, you will not be out of pocket. Corporate Traveller will invoice the TAC.

There is a maximum amount we can pay for travel and accommodation. We will get in touch with you to let you know when you are close to spending this amount.

If you travel in a private car to and from treatment related to your transport accident injuries, we can pay 30 cents for each kilometre your car travels.

Please complete a Travel expense declaration form to make a claim.

This fee should be read in conjunction with the policy on travel benefits.

How we calculate the private vehicle travel reimbursement rate

The reimbursement rate calculates the "average" running costs and vehicle depreciation associated with travelling extra distances for defined purposes associated with a TAC claim.

The running costs are made up of the following factors:

  • Tyres
  • Service/repairs
  • Fuel

The TAC will review and update this rate annually.

For family members visiting a TAC client in hospital we can pay the costs of a hotel or motel, air fares, petrol, public transport, a hire car or taxis up to a maximum amount of $24,240. This amount applies when a claim for visiting expenses is made for the first time after 1 July 2023.

If a claim for visiting expenses was made before 1 July 2024, the maximum amount will be different. If visiting expenses were first claimed:

  • Between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, the total maximum is $23,350
  • Between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, the total maximum is $21,620
  • Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, the total maximum is $21,090
  • Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, the total maximum is $20,820
  • Between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, the total maximum is $20,410

Please email policy@tac.vic.gov.au if you need the maximum amount for an earlier date.

These maximum amounts do not apply to parents visiting a dependent child in hospital.

Immediate family member

Member of the immediate family of an injured TAC client means a partner, parent, child or sibling of the injured client.

For accidents on or after 26 September 2018, a grandparent is also included as a member of the client's immediate family.

For accidents on or after 6 July 2022, a grandchild is also included as a member of the client's immediate family.

Dependent child

Your child is a "dependent child" if they are financially dependent on you and:

  • under 18 years of age, or
  • over 18 but under 25 years of age and a full-time student or an apprentice*.

A child who has a spouse or domestic partner cannot be a dependent child.

For accidents before 6 July 2022, children aged over 16 must be a full time student or an apprentice* to be classified as a ‘dependent child’.

* Apprentice applies to accidents on or after 26 September 2018.

Summary

This form is to be used when claiming reimbursement for travel (i.e. private vehicle, public transport and/or taxi) expenses to attend: medical treatment for accident injuries; medical examinations arranged by the TAC; approved rehabilitation or disability services; or work, if you are participating in a formal Return to Work program.

How to send documents to the TAC

myTAC

myTAC is the quickest way to:

  • Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
  • Send documents and forms
  • Update your personal and banking details
  • Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for

Email

If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.

Summary

This form can be used by immediate family members of hospitalised clients to claim travel and accommodation expenses associated with visiting their loved one/s. Please note, to be eligible for reimbursement, immediate family members must reside more than 100km away from the hospital.

How to send documents to the TAC

myTAC

myTAC is the quickest way to:

  • Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
  • Send documents and forms
  • Update your personal and banking details
  • Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for

Email

If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.

Summary

This form is for claiming expenses related to travel (by private car, public transport and/or taxi) to work. (Claims for travel expenses to attend medical treatment and/or rehabilitation need to be made using a separate form titled Travel Expenses: Declaration).

How to send documents to the TAC

myTAC

myTAC is the quickest way to:

  • Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
  • Send documents and forms
  • Update your personal and banking details
  • Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for

Email

If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.

We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you get to your treatment appointments and services we will pay for your travel costs in Australia.

While you are in hospital, we can also pay the costs of travel and accommodation so that your immediate family members can visit you if they live more than 100km from your hospital.

If you are a dependent child we can pay for your parents to visit you in hospital.

TAC approved services

We will pay for:

  • Public transport (train, bus or tram) or the cost of kilometres travelled in a private vehicle or hire car for travel related to the treatment of your transport accident injury. We will only pay for travel when you go to see a member of your treating team or when the TAC or your solicitor arranges for you to attend an independent medical examination or impairment assessment.
  • Travel to work, for no more than 24 weeks (consecutive or non-consecutive) up to $1,730. We will also pay for your transport to work as part of an approved return to work program,
  • Travel to one of our pre-vocational or vocational training programs,
  • Travel to an authorised supported employment service,
  • Accommodation and meal expenses when the TAC or your solicitor arranges for you to attend an independent medical examination or impairment assessment.

If your injuries stop you from travelling to education in your usual way, we will pay for a different type of transport. For example, if you normally ride a bicycle to university and you cannot ride because of an injured leg, we will pay for you to take the bus.

We will also pay for any required road tolls or car parking when you see a member of your treating team.

Air travel

Air travel may be paid when you need to see a specialist or to attend a medical examination. We can arrange non-urgent air travel for you.

Travel costs that need TAC approval

Taxi travel and ridesharing services

We may pay for travel by taxi or a ridesharing service such as Uber if you cannot drive or take public transport because of your transport accident injuries.

Taxis and ridesharing services will only be approved if you have no other way to get to your TAC related medical appointments or to travel to other locations approved by the TAC.

How we organise the travel services you need

When needed, we will also work with your treating team to help them organise the travel services and support you need.

We may contact your treating team to discuss your progress or request an assessment to make sure that:

  • You have access to 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.

How much we will pay

We pay up to a maximum of 30 cents per kilometre when you use your own vehicle or a hire car to go to your transport accident medical appointments and consultations, or you travel to your workplace or educational facility.

For family members visiting you in hospital we can pay the costs of their travel and accommodation such as a hotel or motel, petrol, public transport, air fares, Visa application fees, a hire car or taxis/rideshare, parking and tolls up to a maximum amount of $24,240. The maximum amount does not apply to parents visiting a dependent child in hospital.

How these services are paid for

If we have arranged a taxi for you to attend a consultation or medical examination we will pay the provider directly. If you have paid for rideshare or for other travel expenses you can submit your receipt via myTAC and ask us to repay you.

For public transport repayment you will need to provide details of the travel, including the date, reason for travel and a copy of your receipt, ticket or myki statement.

Immediate family members claiming the cost of visiting the injured person in hospital should submit a TAC Visiting Expenses Declaration. We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.

What we won’t pay for

We cannot pay for:

  • A service that is not reasonable, necessary or appropriate
  • Travel where a car has been written off in the transport accident and you want us to cover the cost of hiring a vehicle or pay for associated running costs, such as fuel
  • The costs of travel, taxis or rideshare services that are not used to attend treatment of your transport accident injuries or to go to an approved location
  • The cost of your family member’s meals when they travel, stay in accommodation or visit you
  • The costs of travel or accommodation for your family members after you have been discharged from hospital.
See what else we can pay for