Transport Accident Commission
Last Updated in 2016
Field of Law
Stage of career
Undergraduates; Graduates; Practising Lawyers
Contact Details
Address: 60 Brougham Street, Geelong VIC 3220
Phone: 1300 654 329 or 5225 6420
Visit the Transport Accident Commission website
Contact person: David Metcalfe
Email: info@tac.vic.gov.au; hr_services@tac.vic.gov.au
Description of Organisation
The TAC's role is to pay for treatment and benefits for people injured in transport accidents under the Transport Accident Act 1986. It is also involved in promoting road safety in Victoria and in improving Victoria's trauma system.
The TAC has an in-house legal services model. Lawyers at the TAC have exposure to broad and dynamic practice areas including administrative law, common law and prosecutions.
TAC lawyers act on behalf of the TAC in relation to legal proceedings brought at VCAT and in the County and Supreme Courts. The TAC is required to be a model litigant.
The TAC also handles common law claims arising from interstate accidents which involve Victorian registered vehicles.
Funding used by the TAC to perform these functions comes from payments made by Victorian motorists when they register their vehicles each year with VicRoads. To ensure it remains a long-term compensation scheme, the TAC uses its funds fairly and responsibly. This ensures the TAC is able to meet the needs of seriously injured people who need lifetime care.
Number of legal positions within organisation:
Number of solicitors
- Firm Wide: 59
- Female (%):66
- Male (%):34
Does your organisation have a human rights officer?
No
Information for university students/graduates
Do you have a graduate clerkship program?
Yes - TAC runs both a seasonal clerkship program and a legal traineeship program.
How many applicants do you take a year?
The TAC takes 3 Graduates and 10 Seasonal Clerks annually
What are you looking for in an applicant?
Successful applicants will have a passion for building a career with a focus on acting as a model litigant, strong communication skills and the ability to communicate with stakeholders effectively.
Qualifications/skills required
3rd or final year of University studying a Bachelor of Law.
What electives/areas of study are viewed favourably?
Prominent practice areas are Administrative and Tort Law so subjects relative to this field of Law would be deemed favourable.
What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?
For Graduates a previous clerkship placement any previous work/voluntary or otherwise related to their degree.
How does one apply
Via our Careers page on the TAC website
Dates for application
Seasonal Clerkship:
- Applications open: Mid-July
- Applications close: Early August
- Offers will be made: Early October
Legal traineeship:
- Applications open: Mid-July
- Applications close: Mid-August
- Priority Offers (if applicable): Mid August
All remaining offers will be made: Late September
General graduate program:
TAC offers a Graduate Program of two years duration open to university graduates of all disciplines. The program places graduates in the Claims division.
Applications for the program are
- Opening date: Early April
- Closing date: End of April.
Do you require your applicants to be recent law graduates? If so, how recent?
Applications for Clerkship are accepted from 3rd or final year of University.
Interview process
See the What to Expect at an Interview on the TAC website
How many law graduates do you employ outside your graduate program, and what sort of roles do they fill?
The TAC does not employ graduates outside of its graduate programs
Do you have a minimum Grade Point Average standard for an applicant's academic record?
No
If there are any fails on a candidate's academic record how will they affect the recruitment process?
Candidates are considered on the entirety of their academic record not individual results.
Information for practising lawyers
What prior work is viewed favourably?
- A legal practitioner eligible to be admitted to practice in Victoria with extensive post-admission experience giving legal advice on a broad range of general legal and corporate/ commercial legal issues including contract law, tenders, trade practices, intellectual property, employment law, research and funding arrangements, corporate governance/advisory and sponsorship arrangements.
- Demonstrated experience in interpreting complex legislation and drafting/amending legal documentation.
- Exposure to the Health, Government and Insurance
On average, how many positions become available per year?
5-10 per year
How many applications do you receive for these?
8-10 per role
Where do you advertise your positions?
Do you use a recruitment agency?
Yes but not for Graduate positions
Additional comments
The TAC is also a member and supporter of PILCH.