TAC Physiotherapy Explained
TAC physiotherapy explained: what Victorian road accident victims need to know
If you’ve been injured in a transport accident in Victoria, you may be entitled to physiotherapy through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). TAC physiotherapy can cover your treatment costs so you can focus entirely on recovery — but the system has its own rules and processes that are worth understanding before you start.
For Victorian road accident victims
TAC physiotherapy explained: what Victorian road accident victims need to know
If you’ve been injured in a transport accident in Victoria, you may be entitled to physiotherapy through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). TAC physiotherapy can cover your treatment costs so you can focus entirely on recovery — but the system has its own rules and processes that are worth understanding before you start.
This guide explains how TAC physiotherapy works in Victoria, what it covers, and how to access mobile physiotherapy under a TAC claim in Melbourne.
The basics
What is the TAC?
The Transport Accident Commission is a Victorian Government-owned organisation that provides compensation and support to people injured in transport accidents on Victorian roads. This includes accidents involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, trams, trains and bicycles.
If you were injured as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist in an accident that occurred on a Victorian road, you may be eligible for TAC support — regardless of who was at fault.
TAC support covers a range of services including medical treatment, physiotherapy, hospital costs and income support during recovery.
Coverage
What does the TAC cover for physiotherapy?
As with WorkCover, there should be no out-of-pocket cost for physiotherapy under an accepted TAC claim — the TAC pays your physiotherapy provider directly at the approved fee schedule rate.
Under an accepted TAC claim, physiotherapy is covered as a reasonable and necessary treatment for injuries sustained in the accident. This can include:
- Initial assessment and diagnosis
- Hands-on treatment (manual therapy, soft tissue work, joint mobilisation)
- Exercise therapy and rehabilitation programs
- Hydrotherapy where clinically appropriate
- Home exercise programs and education
- Progress reports for your TAC case manager
- Return-to-function and return-to-work support
Getting Started
How to access TAC physiotherapy
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Step 1 — Report the accident
Report the accident to Victoria Police if it hasn’t already been reported. You’ll need a police event number for your TAC claim.
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Step 2 — Lodge your TAC claim
Claims can be lodged online at tac.vic.gov.au, by phone, or through a hospital if you were admitted. There are time limits for lodging — generally within 12 months of the accident, though earlier is always better.
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Step 3 — See your GP
Your GP will assess your injuries and can refer you to physiotherapy as part of your treatment plan. Your GP acts as your primary treating practitioner and coordinates your overall care.
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Step 4 — Choose a physiotherapist
You have the right to choose your own physiotherapy provider. Let them know you are a TAC client — they will confirm your claim and bill the TAC directly.
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Step 5 — Begin treatment
Once your claim is accepted and your physiotherapist has confirmed TAC billing, treatment can begin with no upfront cost to you.
Care that comes to you
Can I access mobile TAC physiotherapy?
Yes. Mobile physiotherapy — where your physiotherapist comes to your home — is available under a TAC claim, provided it is clinically appropriate for your situation.
Mobile TAC physiotherapy is particularly relevant if:
- Your injuries affect your ability to drive or travel to a clinic
- You have lower limb injuries, fractures or post-surgical restrictions
- You are managing multiple injuries that make transport difficult and tiring
- You live in an area where accessing a clinic requires significant travel
At Khy Physio, we provide mobile TAC physiotherapy across Melbourne’s eastern and western suburbs. We come to your home, assess your injuries in your own environment, and deliver evidence-based rehabilitation, with home visits right across our service area.
Your recovery
TAC physiotherapy and your recovery goals
TAC physiotherapy is designed to support you in returning to your pre-accident level of function — whether that means returning to work, resuming daily activities, or managing longer-term effects of a serious injury.
Your physiotherapist will:
- Assess the specific injuries sustained in the accident
- Set rehabilitation goals tied to your functional needs
- Progress your treatment as your recovery advances
- Provide reports for your TAC case manager as required
- Communicate with other treating practitioners (GP, specialist, occupational therapist) as needed
For more serious injuries involving neurological damage, spinal injuries or significant fractures, physiotherapy may form part of a longer-term multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.
What We Treat
Common injuries treated
through TAC physiotherapy.
TAC claims cover a wide range of transport accident injuries, including:
Whiplash and neck injuries
Back and spinal injuries
Shoulder, knee and other joint injuries
Fractures and post-surgical rehabilitation
Soft tissue injuries
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation
Nerve injuries affecting limb function
Chest and rib injuries
Injured in more than one area?
If you suffered multiple injuries in the accident, your physiotherapist can address all injury areas within your TAC-funded sessions.
If things go wrong
What if your TAC claim is disputed?
If the TAC disputes your claim or declines to fund treatment, you have the right to request an internal review. You can also seek advice from a TAC lawyer — many offer free initial consultations for transport accident victims.
In the interim, if you need urgent physiotherapy, your GP may be able to refer you under a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan, or private health insurance may provide partial coverage while your claim is being resolved.
Do I need a referral for TAC physiotherapy?
A formal GP referral is not always required to access physiotherapy — you can contact a physiotherapist directly. However, your GP plays an important role in your overall TAC claim and treatment coordination. Having your GP involved ensures your injuries are properly documented and your physiotherapy is aligned with your broader recovery plan.
If you’re unsure, contact your TAC case manager or speak with your physiotherapist — they are experienced in navigating the TAC system and can guide you on what’s needed.
How many sessions does the TAC cover?
The TAC does not set a fixed number of physiotherapy sessions. Treatment is covered based on what is reasonable and necessary for your specific injuries. Your case manager may request progress reports at regular intervals to review your ongoing treatment needs.
If your recovery is taking longer than expected, your physiotherapist can provide clinical documentation to support continued treatment. It is important to maintain regular communication with your TAC case manager throughout your claim.
Recover at home
Recover at home, with Khy Physio
Recovering from a transport accident is demanding enough without the added stress of arranging travel to a clinic. Our mobile physiotherapists bring evidence-based care directly to your door across Melbourne, working with you and your TAC case manager every step of the way. If you’d like to find out how we can help, we’d love to hear from you — book a home visit and we’ll arrange a time that suits you.
Ready when you are
Let’s get you moving.
Book an appointment or call us — we’ll arrange a home visit that suits you, anywhere across Melbourne.