Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. this is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.
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Australia-wide · No win, no fee · Free case evaluation — speak to us today
Location Hub — Victoria
When you place your trust in a professional — a solicitor, doctor, financial adviser, or accountant — you expect them to do their job properly. Most of the time, they do. But when something goes wrong and the consequences fall on you, the situation can feel overwhelming, confusing, and deeply unfair.
If you live or work in Glen Waverley and believe a professional’s failure has caused you real harm, you may have a legal claim. Fair Go Australia specialises exclusively in professional negligence — helping people across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and throughout Victoria understand what happened, whether they have a case, and what to do next.
Understanding Your Rights
Professional negligence occurs when a person who holds a professional licence or qualification — and charges you for their expertise — fails to meet the standard of care that a competent professional in their field would provide in the same circumstances.
It is not simply a bad outcome or a decision you disagree with in hindsight. The question is whether the professional fell below an objectively acceptable standard, and whether that failure caused you a measurable loss.
The High Court’s decision in Rogers v Whitaker (1992) helped define this standard in Australia. It confirmed that professionals must exercise reasonable care and skill, and that the benchmark is set by what a reasonably competent professional — not a perfect one — would do.
Under the Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC), a successful professional negligence claim generally requires proof of three things: that the professional owed you a duty of care, that they breached it, and that the breach caused you actual harm.
What We Handle
Glen Waverley is one of Melbourne’s most established and commercially active eastern suburbs, home to a high concentration of legal, medical, financial and construction professionals. When those professionals get it wrong, the consequences can be serious.
Fair Go Australia handles claims across the full range of professional categories:
This list is not exhaustive. Any licensed professional who provides advice or services for a fee may owe a duty of care — and may be held accountable when that duty is breached.
Victorian Legal Framework
In Victoria, professional negligence claims are primarily governed by the Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC). This legislation sets out the framework courts apply when assessing whether a professional fell below the required standard of care and whether compensation is warranted.
For claims involving legal professionals, the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner oversees conduct and complaints, and the Law Institute of Victoria sets professional standards for solicitors and barristers.
Depending on the nature and size of your claim, proceedings may be heard in the County Court of Victoria or the Supreme Court of Victoria. Many claims are resolved before reaching a hearing — through negotiation, mediation, or a formal settlement.
Where professional services were provided to you as a consumer, the Australian Consumer Law may offer an additional avenue of redress alongside a negligence claim.
Time Limits — Act Now
Act before time runs out. In Victoria, the time you have to bring a professional negligence claim depends on the type of harm involved. For most general negligence claims, the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC) allows six years from the date the cause of action arose. For personal injury claims, that period is three years from the date you became aware — or ought reasonably to have become aware — of the negligence.
This distinction matters. The clock does not always start from the date the error occurred. In many cases, the harm only becomes apparent later, and the limitation period may run from that point of discovery.
If you are unsure whether your time to claim has expired, do not assume the worst. Contact our team for a free assessment as soon as possible — before that window closes.
The Claims Process
Many people are put off making a claim because they imagine it will mean years of court appearances and mounting legal costs. In practice, most professional negligence claims in Victoria are resolved without a hearing. Here is how the process typically works:
Why Fair Go Australia
There are general practice law firms, and there is Fair Go Australia. We do one thing: professional negligence. That focus means our team understands the evidence that matters, the expert witnesses who can support your case, and the strategies that tend to produce results.
Start Your Claim
If a professional in Glen Waverley or the surrounding area has caused you real harm, you deserve to know whether you have a claim. Our evaluation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation. We respond to all enquiries within 1 business day.
We respond to all enquiries within 1 business day.
Common Questions
Yes. Fair Go Australia assists clients across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including Glen Waverley, and throughout Victoria. We work remotely with most clients — there is no need to travel to an office.
For most claims, the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC) provides six years from when the claim arose, or three years from discoverability for personal injury claims. Time limits are strictly enforced, so it is important to seek advice promptly. Contact us if you are unsure — we can assess whether your period is still open.
It means that if your claim does not succeed, you do not pay our legal fees. We take on the financial risk of running your case. This is our genuine commitment — not a conditional promise buried in fine print.
Not necessarily. Many professional negligence claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation before any court proceedings are commenced. Where possible, we work to achieve a fair outcome without the time and expense of a hearing.
You do not need to have everything organised before speaking with us. Commonly useful materials include contracts or engagement letters, correspondence with the professional, financial statements, medical records, and any documentation showing the outcome or loss you suffered. We help identify what is needed as part of the initial evaluation.
Potentially, yes. Professional indemnity insurance typically continues to cover former practitioners for work performed during their period of practice. This is something we can investigate as part of your case assessment.
Our goal is to help people in the best way possible. this is a basic principle in every case and cause for success. contact us today for a free consultation.
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