What is the TCF?
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The Travel Compensation Fund is Australia's primary means of providing compensation to eligible travellers who suffer loss as a result of the financial collapse of a participating travel agency business.
Travel consumers should make travel arrangements only through agents which are licensed participants of the Travel Compensation Fund.
This is because the TCF will compensate consumers who have suffered financial loss as a result of any participating travel agent’s failure to account for monies paid to the agent for travel arrangements, however, it is not obliged to do so if you made your travel arrangements through an unlicensed agent.
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When can you claim?
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Consumers who have paid for travel arrangements to a licensed travel agent may lodge a claim with the TCF in respect of financial loss suffered if the agent has:
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- Ceased trading or suffered a financial collapse, and
- Failed to pass on their money to the travel principal (airlines, hotels, etc.)
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Travel arrangements may include:
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- Travel by air, land (coach, rail, etc.) or sea
- Accommodation at hotels or resorts
- Car hire - Airport transfers
- Admission fees
- Travellers cheques
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The claim must be for loss suffered because the agent failed to account for money paid for travel arrangements and the loss is not covered by the claimant's travel insurance.
In most cases eligible claims for compensation are paid very quickly to ensure that disruption to the travel arrangements of affected consumers is minimised and to help maintain general confidence in the travel industry sector.
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More information
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For more information including details on eligibility to make a claim with the TCF, please visit www.tcf.org.au
Information from TCF website September 2008
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