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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When a professional you trusted has let you down — and that failure has cost you — the situation can feel overwhelming. You may not know whether what happened actually amounts to negligence, or whether there is anything you can do about it. That uncertainty is entirely normal, and it is exactly where we come in.
Fair Go Australia helps people across Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs understand their legal position and, where there is a genuine claim, connects them with specialist professional negligence lawyers who act exclusively for claimants. We operate across the whole country, so wherever you are in this corridor — whether that’s Preston or Craigieburn, Northcote or Epping — you can access specialist legal help without needing to travel.
If you are not sure whether you have a claim, the first step is a free, confidential case evaluation. There is no obligation, and no cost — regardless of the outcome.
Professional negligence occurs when a licensed professional — a solicitor, doctor, financial adviser, accountant, or building certifier — fails to meet the standard of care that their role requires, and that failure causes you a measurable loss. It is not simply a matter of being unhappy with a service or experiencing a bad outcome. The question courts ask is whether the professional fell below the standard a reasonably competent practitioner in that field would have met.
In Victoria, professional negligence claims are governed primarily by the Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC), which codifies the duty of care framework that courts apply when assessing whether a professional’s conduct fell short. Alongside legislation, Australian courts continue to be guided by the High Court’s foundational decision in Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479, which established that professionals are not just responsible for the quality of their work — they are also responsible for keeping clients properly informed about material risks.
Depending on the size of the claim, proceedings in Victoria may be brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria or the County Court of Victoria. Our team can advise you on the appropriate jurisdiction once the nature and value of your claim is understood.
Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs are served by a large and diverse professional services sector — from suburban law firms and general practices in the inner north to financial planning and building advisory firms across the outer growth corridors. Any of these professionals can be the subject of a negligence claim if their conduct falls below the required standard and causes loss.
Victoria has a well-developed framework for professional negligence claims. The Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC) sets out how courts assess the standard of care owed by professionals, and it forms the backbone of most civil negligence proceedings in this state. In straightforward terms, it asks whether a professional in the same field would, in the same circumstances, have acted differently — and whether doing so would have prevented your loss.
For claims involving solicitors or barristers, the Legal Profession Uniform Law also applies in Victoria, governing professional conduct standards and complaints processes. If your complaint relates to a legal practitioner, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Legal Services Commissioner are the relevant regulatory bodies — though a regulatory complaint and a civil negligence claim are separate processes, and one does not replace the other.
Where the negligence involves a registered health practitioner — a doctor, specialist, or allied health professional — the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) handles disciplinary matters alongside any civil proceedings you may bring. Again, these run in parallel. A disciplinary finding may support your civil case, but it is not required for a claim to succeed.
In Victoria, professional negligence claims must generally be commenced within 6 years (general claims) or 3 years (personal injury claims) under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC). The clock typically starts from the date you became aware — or should reasonably have become aware — of the negligence and its consequences. Missing this deadline can permanently extinguish your right to claim. If you are unsure whether your limitation period is still open, contact our team for a free assessment as soon as possible.
Victoria has a two-tier limitation framework under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC), and understanding which tier applies to your situation matters.
For most general professional negligence claims — those not involving personal injury — the limitation period is six years, generally calculated from the date the cause of action accrued. For claims involving personal injury, a shorter period of three years applies, running from the date you discovered — or ought reasonably to have discovered — the negligence and the connection to your loss.
The discoverability principle sounds straightforward, but it is frequently contested. The date you ‘should have known’ about the negligence is not always the same as the date you actually found out — and defendants often argue that discoverability occurred earlier than claimants believe. This is why we strongly recommend getting advice as early as possible. If the limitation period expires, your right to bring a claim is almost certainly gone.
The first thing to know is that a free case evaluation costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. You tell us what happened, we assess your situation honestly, and we tell you whether we think you have a claim worth pursuing. If we do not think it stacks up, we will tell you that too — clearly, and without wasting your time.
If your claim proceeds, we work on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. Our fees are only recovered if your claim succeeds, and they are drawn from the compensation awarded — not from your own pocket. We carry the financial risk, not you.
We handle everything remotely, so there is no need to come into an office or travel anywhere. Our team understands the Victorian legislative framework, the local courts, and the limitation periods that apply to your type of claim. We act exclusively for claimants — never for the professionals being sued — so there is no conflict of interest, and our focus is entirely on your outcome.
Tell us what happened, and we will give you an honest assessment of your options — at no cost and with no obligation. Everything you share is completely confidential, and we respond to all enquiries within one business day.
You can also use our claim eligibility checker if you would prefer to start with a self-assessment before speaking to anyone.
We respond to all enquiries within 1 business day.
Professional negligence is more specific than simply being unhappy with a service. It requires that the professional owed you a duty of care, that they fell below the standard a competent practitioner in their field would have met, that this failure directly caused your loss, and that the loss is real and quantifiable. A bad outcome alone — even a serious one — does not automatically mean negligence occurred. What matters is whether the professional’s conduct was the cause, not just the backdrop.
Many claims resolve through negotiation or mediation before they reach a courtroom. Litigation is not always necessary, and in some cases it is not the most efficient path. That said, being prepared to litigate — and having lawyers who are genuinely ready to do so — often produces better negotiated outcomes. We will advise you on the likely pathway once we understand the details of your claim.
Nothing upfront. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means you pay no legal costs unless your claim succeeds. If it does succeed, our fees are deducted from the compensation recovered. The initial case evaluation is completely free, with no strings attached.
The stronger your documentation, the stronger your starting position. Useful evidence includes contracts or engagement letters, correspondence with the professional (emails, letters, file notes), records of any advice given, financial statements or medical records showing the impact of the failure, and any expert reports you may already have. You do not need everything sorted before getting in touch — we can help you identify what is needed once we understand your situation.
A formal complaint to the Law Institute of Victoria, the Legal Services Commissioner, or AHPRA is a disciplinary process separate from a civil negligence claim. A disciplinary outcome can support your case, but it is not required. You can pursue a civil claim regardless of whether you have made a regulatory complaint, and the two processes can run simultaneously.
Yes. We assist clients across the full Northern Suburbs corridor — from the inner-north LGAs of Darebin and Banyule through to the outer growth areas of Whittlesea and Hume. We work remotely, so there is no need to come into an office or travel to Melbourne’s CBD. All consultations and case management can be handled online or by phone.
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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