How much does TAC pay?
Generally speaking, there are four main entitlements that a person can claim under the TAC system.
This page will look at each of the entitlements and look at how much the TAC will pay for each.
Medical and like expenses
You can read about the payment of medical and like expenses here.
The TAC have fixed fees for different types of medical expenses.
They have a full list of payment rates on their website.
Fixed fees relate to almost all medical and like expenses payable by the TAC, whether that be GP attendances, medication, physiotherapy, chiropractic or osteopathic treatment, psychology treatment or surgery.
The TAC does however have a discretion as to what to pay in relation to different expenses.
If the medical provider bills you an amount that exceeds the amount that the TAC will pay, you will be responsible for payment of the extra amount to the provider.
Income benefits
You can read about income benefits here.
The amount that the TAC will pay by loss of earnings is based on your pre accident weekly earnings (PAWE).
A person is entitled to payments from the TAC whether they are not able to work at all, or whether they can only partially work following an accident.
For the first 18 months, once the TAC has determined a persons pre-accident weekly earnings average, the TAC will then calculate 80% of this amount.
The TAC will either pay 80% of your pre accident weekly earnings or the prescribed minimum amount which is $740 (as at 1 July 2021) if a person is not able to work.
Or if a person has dependents, the minimum amount of $740 plus an allowance for each dependant ($209 for one dependant, $67 for other dependants).
The maximum payable is $1490 per week.
If you have returned to work but only working on a part time basis, again taking into account the weekly average pre accident earnings, the TAC will pay 85% of the difference between your pre accident weekly earnings and your current weekly earnings or alternatively, the minimum weekly amount less your current weekly earnings whichever is greater.
Or if a person has dependents, the minimum amount of $740 plus an allowance for each dependant ($209 for one dependant, $67 for other dependants).
After 18 months, a person can be paid what’s called loss of earning capacity benefits.
You can be paid at 80% of your pre accident weekly earnings, or if a person does not have any dependants, then the minimum amount of $686.
Or if a person does have dependents, the minimum amount of $686 plus an allowance for each dependant ($194 for one dependent, $66 for other dependants).
The maximum weekly amount is $1290.
You are entitled to the payment of loss of earnings benefits for three years post accident.
If you’ve been assessed as having a 50% or more whole person impairment rating and you are incapacitated for work then you may be entitled to payments beyond the three year period.
Impairment claims
You can read about impairment claims here.
Payment of an impairment claim depends upon your whole person impairment rating.
Currently, for accidents that occurred on her after 16 December 2004, the minimum amount that can be paid is $8140 (being an assessment of 11%) and the maximum amount is $371,610 (being an assessment of 100%).
These figures are current as of 1 July 2021 and are indexed yearly.
If your accident occurred prior to 16 December 2004, then the minimum amount that you can be paid is $1301.56 (being an assessment of 11%) and the maximum amount is $117,140 (being an assessment of 100%).
Common law
You can read about common law claims here.
You can be compensated for pain and suffering and pecuniary loss (loss of past and future earnings) under a common law claim.
The minimum amount of compensation that a person will be entitled to under a common law claim is $57,690.
The maximum amount of pain and suffering payable under a common law claim is $577,280
The maximum pecuniary loss amount is $1,298,980.
All of these figures are current as at 1 July 2021.
