Australia-wide · No win, no fee · Free case evaluation — speak to us today
Victoria · Melbourne West
When a professional you trusted causes you real harm — whether it’s a solicitor who missed a critical deadline, a doctor who failed to diagnose a serious condition, or a financial adviser who put your savings at risk — the consequences can reshape your life. Fair Go Australia works with people across Melbourne’s western suburbs and throughout Victoria to pursue professional negligence claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. You don’t need to travel anywhere. Our team works remotely and is available whenever you’re ready to talk.
Understanding your rights
Professional negligence occurs when a qualified professional — a lawyer, doctor, accountant, financial adviser, engineer, or similar — fails to meet the standard of care their role demands, and that failure causes you measurable harm. In Victoria, this area of law is primarily governed by the Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC) and the common law duty of care principles established by the High Court in Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479.
To have a viable claim, four elements generally need to be present: the professional owed you a duty of care; they breached that duty; the breach directly caused your loss; and the loss you suffered is real and quantifiable. If you’re unsure whether your situation meets these criteria, that’s exactly what a free case evaluation is for.
Claim types
Professional negligence takes many forms. Below are the claim types our team handles most frequently for clients across Footscray, Sunshine, Werribee, Point Cook, and the broader western corridor.
Your lawyer missed a filing deadline, gave incorrect advice, or failed to protect your interests — causing your case or transaction to collapse.
A doctor, specialist, or allied health professional failed to diagnose, treated you incorrectly, or didn't obtain your informed consent before a procedure.
Your adviser recommended unsuitable products, failed to disclose risks, or placed you in investments that were never appropriate for your circumstances.
Errors in tax advice, financial statements, or compliance work led to ATO penalties, lost opportunities, or significant financial damage.
A structural or design failure caused by an engineer, architect, or building certifier that has left you with a defective or unsafe property.
Mistakes during property settlement — including missed encumbrances, title issues, or contract errors — that cost you money or compromised your purchase.
Important — don’t wait
Under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC), the time you have to start a professional negligence claim depends on the nature of your loss. For personal injury claims, the limitation period is generally 3 years from the date you became aware — or should reasonably have become aware — of the negligence. For other professional negligence claims (financial, property, commercial), the general period is 6 years.
Act before time runs out. In Victoria, professional negligence claims must generally be commenced within the relevant limitation period under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC) — 3 years for personal injury claims and 6 years for general claims — from the date you became aware (or should reasonably have become aware) of the negligence. 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.
Victorian law
In Victoria, professional negligence claims are shaped by the Wrongs Act 1958 (VIC), which sets out how courts assess negligent conduct and apportion liability. For legal professionals specifically, the Legal Profession Uniform Law (VIC) imposes clear conduct and competence obligations — and breaches of those obligations can form a strong foundation for a negligence claim.
Regulatory oversight sits with the Law Institute of Victoria and the Legal Services Commissioner (VIC) for legal professionals, and with AHPRA for registered health practitioners. These bodies don’t handle compensation — but their findings and processes can be relevant to a civil negligence claim. Where claims are brought before the courts, the Supreme Court of Victoria and the County Court of Victoria are the primary venues depending on the value of the claim.
Being based in Melbourne’s western suburbs doesn’t limit your access to proper legal representation. Fair Go Australia operates remotely across all of Victoria — every evaluation, every update, and every step of the process can be handled without you ever needing to visit an office.
Why Fair Go Australia
Most people who contact us have already spent weeks — sometimes months — trying to work out whether they have a claim, who to call, and whether the cost is worth it. We exist to cut through that uncertainty. Our practice is focused entirely on professional negligence. We don’t handle traffic matters or conveyancing — just cases where a professional has failed someone and caused real damage.
Every enquiry begins with a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We’ll ask you some straightforward questions about what happened, review whether the core elements of a claim appear to be present, and give you an honest assessment — including whether we think you should proceed. If we take on your matter, our no-win, no-fee arrangement means you carry no financial risk. We only get paid if your claim succeeds.
For clients across Footscray, Sunshine, Altona, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, and surrounding areas, our remote-first model means geography is never a barrier. Everything is handled online and by phone — with the same level of attention and communication you’d expect from a firm you visited in person.
Your evaluation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation whatsoever. We’ll give you a clear, honest view of where you stand — and if there’s a path forward, we’ll walk it with you.
Common questions
Yes. Fair Go Australia operates across all of Victoria, including Melbourne’s western suburbs. Our service is fully remote — you won’t need to visit any office. Claims are handled by phone and online, with no impact on the quality of your representation.
You may have a claim if a professional owed you a duty of care, their conduct fell below an acceptable standard, and that failure directly caused you a measurable loss. The best starting point is a free case evaluation — our team will ask you the right questions and give you an honest assessment.
This varies considerably depending on the complexity of the case, whether the matter is resolved through negotiation or litigation, and how quickly the other party responds. Many claims settle before trial. A realistic timeframe ranges from several months to a few years for contested matters. We’ll give you a clearer picture once we understand the specifics of your situation.
It means you pay no legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, our fees are agreed in advance and come from the settlement or judgment. You carry no financial risk in pursuing your claim through Fair Go Australia.
Under the Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (VIC), personal injury claims must generally be commenced within 3 years of when you became aware of the negligence. General professional negligence claims (financial loss, property, commercial) have a 6-year limitation period. If you’re unsure whether your time has run, contact us for a free assessment as soon as possible.