If a patient requires assistance when travelling, an application can be made for an escort to travel with them.

PATS subsidies are not intended to cover the full costs associated with accessing specialist medical services; they provide a contribution towards them.

PATS does not cover medical expenses or other costs associated with accessing specialist medical services, such as parking, meals, medical appliances or medical gap costs. Access to taxi payments are only available in limited circumstances.

All PATS subsidies will be assessed against the current PATS policy and eligibility criteria. 

Travel

The patient's approved mode of transport for the travel subsidy is determined by the most clinically appropriate and cost-effective transport available. Modes of transport can include private vehicle, community bus, bus, train or airplane. 

Distance is calculated using the most direct or common route from your permanent residence to the nearest town centre and the commercial business district (CBD) of the treatment centre you are travelling to.

The mode of transport is approved by the local PATS office in line with the current PATS policy and eligibility criteria. 

You can find out more by reading the Travel Subsidy summary sheet.

Subsidy amounts

Travel subsidies are determined using criteria below:

Accommodation

Subsidies for accommodation are provided where accommodation is required when accessing a specialist medical service. The subsidies are for a maximum period of six months continuous. While extensions may be granted in special circumstances, they should be applied for in advance.

You are eligible for accommodation assistance if you live more than 100 km from the treatment centre and:

• the medical specialist certifies that you need to stay overnight for follow-up
• the forward and return journeys cannot reasonably be completed in one day because of factors such as:
  • time required travelling
  • type of travel
  • transport schedules and availability, or
  • your medical condition.

If you are required to attend an associated allied health appointment after your specialist appointment, you may be able to extend your stay by one or two days.

Subsidy amounts

Accommodation subsidies are determined using criteria below:

You can find out more by reading the Accommodation Subsidy summary sheet.

Escorts

Patients eligible for PATS can apply for an escort to travel with them. An escort is someone who accompanies the patient when travelling to access specialist medical treatment. An escort must be 18 years or older and be able to fulfil the role that is required.

You may be eligible for an escort if you:

• Are receiving cancer treatment
• Require a carer or someone to legally make decisions on your behalf
• Are travelling for childbirth or your doctor as required you to be near a hospital before or following birth
• Have a clinical recommendation, including for emotional support due to attending an appointment that is likely to result in a significant diagnosis, be distressing, or require psychological support.
• Require cultural or linguistic support
• Are experiencing or living with an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or disability or are frail or frail aged.
• Require journey navigation to ensure the safe and successful travel to and from the appointment, is services such as Country Health Connection are not available or appropriate.
• Are under 18-years-old.

You can find out more by reading the Escort summary sheet.

Patients should discuss their need for an escort with their referring practitioner and the staff at their local PATS office when they submit their application.

Escort eligibility will be assessed by the local PATS office in line with the current PATS policy and eligibility criteria.