PATS subsidies
You may be eligible for travel, accommodation and support person (previously escort) subsidies. This includes family travel and patients travelling together.
Subsidies are not intended to cover all travel costs. Applicants are responsible for any difference between the subsidy amount and the actual cost of their trip.
PATS subsidies do not cover other costs associated with travel (for example, food or parking) or accessing specialist medical services (for example, medical devices).
PATS can only reimburse people for out-of-pocket expenses, with receipts to confirm payment.
All PATS applications will be assessed against the current PATS policy and eligibility criteria.
Below is a summary of PATS subsidies, for detailed information refer to the PATS Handbook (PDF) or contact PATS.
The travel subsidy is a contribution only, and may not cover all travel costs.
- Patients can travel by private vehicle, bus, train or air to attend their appointments.
- Travel distance is calculated using the most direct or common route from the patient’s home to the treatment centre’s central business district (CBD).
- One fuel subsidy will be calculated per vehicle used, regardless of how many patients and support persons travel in the vehicle.
- Patients who live far from bus, train or air departure locations may be able to claim extra travel subsidies.
- Transport subsidies will only be approved if the transport mode is cost-effective and clinically appropriate.
- PATS only fund the cost of economy fares. If a higher fare category is booked (i.e. business class), PATS will apply regional caps to reimbursements.
- PATS require a copy of tax invoices for travel via bus, train or air travel to process reimbursements.
PATS will not provide travel subsidies:
- if travel was booked using other programs or schemes (for example, frequent flyers, Pensioner Annual Free Trip or employment benefit schemes)
- to cover transport to or from the airport, bus or train station
- towards car hire
- towards taxi payments (approved in limited circumstances).
Who is eligible for air travel?
Patients are eligible for air travel subsidies if they have:
- to travel 1,200 kilometres (one way) for an eligible appointment
- to travel 350 kilometres (one way) for cancer treatment
- a letter of support from a treating medical specialist stating a clinical reason for air travel.
Travel for cancer and renal dialysis treatment
- If you travel between 70 and 100 kilometres (one way) to receive cancer or renal treatment, you are eligible for a flat rate travel subsidy for each return trip.
- This is regardless of whether the trip is by private vehicle or other paid transport, and regardless of whether you are accompanied by a support person.
- Renal treatment includes pre-dialysis education, dialysis treatment, surgery and follow up, appointments with a nephrologist or vascular access consultant and home therapy training.
- Cancer treatment includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or palliative intervention, surgery and follow-up. It does not include diagnosis, consultations or treatment planning.
Travel subsidy amounts
Travel subsidies are determined using criteria below:
| Travel subsidies between 70 and 100 kilometres | |
|
Patients receiving renal or cancer treatment |
$20 per return trip (flat rate) |
| Travel subsidies over 100 kilometres | |
| Private vehicle (car) | 40 cents per kilometre |
| Train or bus |
Economy fare |
| Travel subsidies over 350 kilometres | |
| Patients receiving cancer treatment |
Air travel, economy fare |
| Travel subsidies over 1,200 kilometres | |
| Air travel | Economy fare |
The accommodation subsidy is a contribution only, and may not cover all accommodation costs.
Accommodation subsidies will be calculated based on:
- the type of travel required
- transport schedule availability
- your appointment or treatment time
- when it is medically safe for you to travel
- estimated length of your trip, or any associated appointments during the same trip
- how far you must travel if travelling by private vehicle.
PATS will not provide accommodation subsidies:
- if you are travelling between 70 and 100 kilometres for cancer or renal dialysis treatment
- for the dates you are hospitalised.
If unsure, contact PATS to discuss your travel requirements and possible accommodation eligibility.
Accommodation subsidy amounts
| Type | Definition | PATS subsidy amount per night |
| Private | Dwellings such as a house or apartment that are occupied by a friend or family member. | $20 per night each for eligible PATS patient and approved support person. |
| Commercial | Accommodation must be provided by an ABN‑registered business that offers guest rooms to the public, manages bookings, and operates as commercial accommodation such as:
|
Up to $110.00 for eligible PATS patient, and up to an additional $15 for an approved support person. |
Reimbursements for commercial accommodation
- You will not receive a reimbursement greater than your out-of-pocket expenses, within the eligible subsidy amount.
- An acceptable receipt in Australian Dollar (AUD), showing business name, Australian Business Number (ABN), address, number of nights of accommodation, and nightly rate is required.
- For Airbnb and other short-term accommodation, receipts from the official booking platform are required, although these are not required to display an ABN.
A support person is someone who accompanies you when travelling to access specialist treatment.
Your support person must be 18 years or older and be able to accompany you on the trip and fulfil the role that is required. They need to be capable of supporting you to attend your appointment in a safe and timely manner.
When applying, indicate why a support person is needed. For example, the patient:
- is under 18 years old
- is receiving cancer treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and palliative care)
- has a disability, impairment or frailty
- requires a carer or provision of necessary assistance, including personal care and decision making
- is giving birth or a doctor requires them to be near a hospital before or after birth (i.e. perinatal loss, late termination, threatened preterm labour)
- requires cultural or linguistic support, including AUSLAN
- has a recommendation from a clinician (e.g. to provide emotional support for distressing appointments or to support psychological safety).
If two patients under the age of 18 have eligible appointments, each is eligible for their own support person.
If a support person is also attending an appointment
For PATS purposes, people are only allowed to perform one PATS role (patient or support person) at a time. If the support person is eligible for PATS and is attending an eligible appointment on the same trip, they cannot claim a subsidy for being a patient and a support person at the same time.
A PATS patient under the age of 18 cannot travel alone and will require a support person for the duration of the trip, therefore they are considered the primary patient.
For PATS purposes, family travel and travelling together are defined as:
- Family travel: When one or more patients (under the age of 18) travel with one or more support persons (within PATS eligibility).
- Patients travelling together: When two or more adults travel together for convenience.
Each eligible patient is required to submit an application form.
Travel and accommodation subsidies
- One fuel subsidy will be calculated per vehicle used, regardless of how many patients and support persons travel in the vehicle.
- Each approved patient and support person are eligible for a travel ticket at the most economical rate.
- PATS does not provide travel or accommodation subsidies for additional children to travel, unless they have an eligible appointment.
- Accommodation subsidies are provided based on the dates of each patient’s appointment or clinical need.
- If a family or multiple patients stay in the same room, PATS will reimburse up to the total cost incurred, not exceeding the subsidy amount.
- If patients extend their trip beyond the last night of their eligible accommodation, they are considered travelling country residents and not eligible for further subsidies.
- If a support person has an appointment in close proximity to a patient’s appointment, PATS will consider extending the accommodation subsidy if the patient cannot travel home alone.