Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)

If you live in a rural area, you will probably have to travel to another town or city for specialist medical services and treatment, and you may have to stay overnight at times. This can be expensive.

All state and territory governments provide some financial assistance for these kinds of expenses through Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS).

The rules and amounts paid vary but they all help cover travel expenses on public transport for you and an eligible escort as well as accommodation for both of you in a commercial accommodation.

The payment you receive will depend on the distance you need to travel, and you may only be eligible if you are attending the treatment centre closest to your home.

While these payments will not cover all the costs of your travel and accommodation for treatment, they can help and are worth investigating.