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Tools hub — fga.net.au
When a professional gets it wrong, the damage is real — and so is the anxiety about what comes next. For most people, one of the first practical questions is a straightforward one: what is this going to cost me, and is it even worth pursuing?
That is exactly what this tool is for. Before you speak to anyone, before you commit to anything, use this estimator to get a realistic picture of what a professional negligence claim like yours typically involves — what it might cost, what you might recover, and whether your claim is still within the legal time limits.
The results are indicative, not a guarantee. Every claim turns on its own facts, and a free case evaluation will give you a more precise picture. But if you are trying to work out whether the numbers stack up before taking that step, start here.
Interactive tool
The estimator takes five inputs — the type of professional involved, your estimated loss, where you are located, how long ago you became aware of the problem, and whether a formal complaint has already been made.
From those inputs, it produces three things: a realistic compensation range based on what claims of a similar type and value tend to recover; an indication of whether a no-win, no-fee arrangement is likely to apply to your situation; and a limitation period status — a plain-language signal of whether your claim is comfortably within time, approaching a deadline, or at risk of being out of time altogether.
It does not produce a quote. It does not tell you what your specific claim is worth. What it does is give you enough of a picture to have an informed conversation — rather than walking into a free evaluation completely in the dark.
The phrase gets used a lot, but it is worth understanding what it actually means before you decide whether to pursue a claim.
No-win, no-fee means exactly what it says: if your claim does not succeed, you do not pay our legal fees. There is no upfront cost, no retainer, and no bill at the end of an unsuccessful matter. Our fees are only paid from the compensation you recover — and only if you win.
When a matter succeeds, our fee is calculated as a percentage of the amount recovered. This is agreed with you at the outset, before any work begins, so there are no surprises. You will also hear the terms “success fee” or “uplift fee” used — these refer to the same thing.
Depending on the terms of your specific arrangement, disbursements — things like court filing fees and the cost of expert reports — may or may not be covered. Our team will walk you through exactly what applies in your situation during the free evaluation.
The key point is this: if your claim has genuine merit, upfront cost is rarely the barrier people assume it will be.
The estimator gives you a range. It is based on what claims of a comparable type, in a comparable loss category, typically look like. It cannot account for the specifics of your situation, and it should not be read as a prediction of what you will recover.
What actually determines the final outcome of any claim is more nuanced: the strength of the evidence you can gather, whether causation can be clearly established between the professional’s failure and your loss, how the other side responds, whether the matter settles before hearing or runs to a final decision, and the specific heads of damage that apply.
Some claims that look modest on paper turn out to be stronger than expected. Others that appear significant face real evidentiary hurdles. The only way to get an honest, accurate picture is to sit down — or get on the phone — with a specialist. That conversation is free, takes less than a business day to arrange, and carries no obligation to proceed.
In most Australian states and territories, professional negligence claims must be commenced within three years of the date you became aware — or should reasonably have become aware — of the negligence. This period varies by state and by the type of claim. Missing the deadline can permanently extinguish your right to pursue compensation.
If the estimator flagged an amber or red limitation status for your situation, treat that as a prompt to act — not a reason to give up. Even where a limitation period is close, there are sometimes arguments available to extend it. But those arguments get harder the longer you wait.
The estimator gives you a starting point. A free case evaluation from our team gives you a specific, honest assessment of your claim — what it is likely worth, how it would be funded, and whether the evidence supports it.
There is no obligation to proceed, and no upfront cost regardless of what you decide. We respond to all enquiries within one business day.
We respond to all enquiries within 1 business day.
Common questions
If your claim is handled on a no-win, no-fee basis — which is how Fair Go Australia operates — there is nothing to pay upfront. Our fees are only deducted from the compensation recovered if the claim succeeds. If it does not, you pay nothing. Where disbursements apply, such as expert report fees or court filing costs, this will be discussed with you clearly before any work begins.
No. The initial case evaluation is free. If we take on your matter, we do so on the basis that our fees come from the outcome — not from you in advance. The specific terms, including any disbursements, will be agreed with you before work begins so you know exactly where you stand.
It depends on the complexity of the matter and whether it settles or proceeds to a final hearing. Many professional negligence claims resolve through negotiation or mediation within six to eighteen months. More complex matters — particularly those involving significant loss or disputed causation — can take longer. Our team will give you a realistic timeframe for your specific situation during the evaluation.
A success fee, sometimes called an uplift fee, is the amount a law firm charges if your claim succeeds. It is calculated as an agreed percentage of the compensation recovered. This percentage is set out clearly in your costs agreement before any work begins. There is no success fee if the claim does not succeed.
The tool above gives you a realistic indicative range based on your claim type and estimated loss. It is a useful starting point, but it cannot replace a proper assessment. The specific value of any claim depends on the evidence, the heads of damage that apply, and how the matter ultimately resolves. A free case evaluation with our team will give you a much more grounded picture of what your situation looks like.
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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