If you were hurt in a car accident on the way to or from work in Victoria, two schemes can be involved: workers compensation and the motor accident scheme. Which one pays depends on the state’s rules, and getting it wrong can cost you time you do not have. Here is how it works in Victoria, from the official sources.
Does workers compensation cover the drive to work in Victoria?
In Victoria, WorkSafe's claims manual says travel for your employment does not include travelling to and from the workplace. Travel your job requires is covered, unless there is a substantial interruption or detour for a non-work reason.
What about the motor accident scheme?
The TAC says its compensation is payable for a transport accident on the way to or from work unless the accident is covered by another compensation scheme. A crash while working or driving for work is in most cases covered by workers compensation, not the TAC; if WorkSafe rejects the claim, the TAC says you should make a TAC claim.
The motor accident scheme in Victoria: Transport Accident Commission (TAC), a no-fault scheme.
What to do now
- Report the accident to the police. The TAC accepts a claim only with proof that the accident was reported to the police.
- Make a TAC claim. The TAC pays medical benefits and support to any injured person regardless of who caused the crash.
- Do it within one year of the accident (or of the injury first showing). The TAC allows up to 3 years where there are reasonable grounds for the delay.
If your employer’s scheme may also be involved:
- Report the injury to your employer in writing. WorkSafe says you have 30 days from the injury date.
- See your GP and get a certificate of capacity. You need it for weekly payments.
- Fill in the Worker's injury claim form and give it to your employer. If the injury involved a motor vehicle, WorkSafe says to report the accident to the police, otherwise your claim may not be valid.
Free official help
- TAC: 1300 654 329
- Victoria Legal Aid: 1300 792 387
- WorkSafe Advisory: 1800 136 089
- Workplace Injury Commission: free help to resolve a dispute without a solicitor: 1800 635 960
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General information, not legal advice. Claim Done is not a law firm. Checked against the official sources below on 22 October 2026. If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
Official sources
- WorkSafe Victoria: What to do when you've been injured at work
- WorkSafe Victoria: Worker's injury claim form
- WorkSafe claims manual: Define an injury
- TAC: Work-related compensation
- TAC: Making a claim for compensation
- TAC: Eligibility for benefits