Living in rural or regional Tasmania sometimes means travelling long distances just to see a specialist. The Patient Travel Assistance Scheme exists to take some of the financial sting out of that journey. This guide breaks down how PTAS works, who qualifies, what it covers, and the questions you should ask before booking anything.
Key Takeaways
- The Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) is managed by the Tasmanian Department of Health, and PTAS provides financial help toward travel and accommodation costs when eligible Tasmanian residents must travel for specialist health care services not available close to home.
- PTAS only supports medically necessary specialist appointments or treatment – not holidays, general NDIS transport, or routine GP visits. Travel must usually be to the nearest eligible clinical service.
- Eligible patients must travel more than 75 km one-way (or 50 km for oncology and dialysis) and hold a valid Medicare card. A completed application form and medical referral are required.
- A travel subsidy can cover private car, bus, taxi, air or ferry travel, plus accommodation subsidies, with extra support possible for an approved escort.
- Always check the latest official rules in the PTAS consumer brochure (PDF) before making plans.
What Is the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)?
Tasmania offers government-funded travel subsidies for medical care through PTAS, helping Tasmanian residents who must travel long distances for specialised health services cover some travel and accommodation costs – think oncology reviews, cardiac assessments, or access lymphoedema treatment at a distant clinic.
PTAS is a subsidy scheme, not a full reimbursement program, and it can assist with some travel and accommodation costs rather than cover everything. You will likely still contribute to certain costs, but the financial help can make a real difference. Imagine a patient from Queenstown who needs oncology treatment in Hobart. That’s roughly 260 km one-way. PTAS can help with fuel costs, a night or two of accommodation, and even an escort’s expenses if medically necessary.
Re.Connect Support Services can help clients understand PTAS alongside their broader support planning and community access supports – though only PTAS itself can confirm application outcomes.
Who Can Get Help? PTAS Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for patient travel assistance come down to a few key factors. Here is what PTAS typically requires:
- Distance: Eligible Tasmanians must travel more than 75 km one-way to access specialist medical services. For oncology, haematological malignancy, or dialysis, the threshold drops to 50 km. The subsidy varies depending on the distance to the nearest health service.
- Residency: You must be a Tasmanian resident with a Medicare card.
- Service type: The appointment must be for specialist or subspecialist medical treatment not available locally. Routine GP visits, cosmetic procedures, and elective services widely available nearby do not qualify.
- Nearest provider: PTAS provides subsidies for the nearest eligible clinical service only. Interstate travel is covered solely when the required service is unavailable anywhere in Tasmania.
Patients must receive treatment not available locally to qualify, and final decisions rest with PTAS staff. Re.Connect Support Services can help clients gather information to check eligibility before booking, but cannot guarantee outcomes.
What Costs Does PTAS Help With?
PTAS covers travel and accommodation costs for long-distance medical travel, including key travel costs. Here is how the financial assistance breaks down:
Travel assistance:
- Private car travel at approximately $0.24 per kilometre
- Economy bus fares and public transport
- Taxi reimbursement may apply for transit between terminals and treatment centres
- Return economy airfares for residents of King Island or the Furneaux Islands
Accommodation subsidies:
- Intrastate: up to approximately $76–$80 per night
- Interstate: up to approximately $98–$105 per night
- Some providers offer bulk billing arrangements, billing PTAS directly so the patient covers only the gap
Patient contributions:
- Non-concession holders pay the first $82.50 per return travel journey, capped at $330 per financial year, and PTAS subsidies may not cover the full amount so patients may still pay the gap between the subsidy and actual cost
- A concession card holder, including someone with a Health Care Card, Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card, is exempt from travel contributions when the card is in the patient’s name
- Non-concession holders also cover the first two nights of accommodation per journey
PTAS does not pay for meals, general living costs, hospital inpatient stays, or extra accommodation nights beyond medical necessity. Holiday stays cannot be claimed. Patients can claim for travel by car, taxi, or public transport – keep all original receipts and tax invoices.
Note that some specialist clinics may bulk bill the medical service itself to Medicare, but that is separate from PTAS. Always ask whether your appointment involves out-of-pocket medical fees.
Approved Escorts and Support People
PTAS recognises that some patients cannot safely travel alone. An approved escort – a family member, carer, or approved person – can receive travel assistance and accommodation costs when the treating doctor confirms the clinical need on the PTAS application form.
Key points about escort support:
- The referring specialist or GP must indicate whether an escort is clinically necessary due to age, disability, medical complexity, or cognitive impairment
- PTAS generally supports one escort, though two escorts may be approved in very specific circumstances
- Escorts receive financial assistance at the same rates as the patient
- A child travelling for treatment will almost always qualify for an escort
Re.Connect Support Services support workers do not automatically count as approved escorts under PTAS. Any escort arrangement should be verified with the PTAS office in advance, and families may also explore government-subsidised respite care options when ongoing caring responsibilities are intensive.
How to Apply for the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
The PTAS application process follows a clear path. Here is how to move through it:
- Check eligibility first. Contact your local PTAS office (South: 03 6166 8225, North: 03 6777 6249, North-West: 03 6477 7734) or visit the Department of Health website.
- Complete the application form. You need a completed PTAS application form – available online or from PTAS offices. Your referring doctor fills in the clinical section confirming that specialist care is needed. Include your bank details, concession card information, and appointment details.
- Submit before travel when possible. Patients can apply before or after travel, but getting approval first reduces the risk of an ineligible claim. Submit by email, in person at a hospital PTAS office, or by post.
- Keep all receipts. After your appointment, submit original receipts and tax invoices. Payment arrives by bank transfer or cheque. Patients must submit claims within 6 months of their appointment.
- Get help if needed. Patients require assistance applying for PTAS from their medical specialists or the Department of Health. Your GP, hospital social worker, or Re.Connect Support Services coordinator can help with forms and documentation. For broader guidance on navigating NDIS and health-related supports, the Re.Connect Support Services blog offers additional practical resources. For general tips on managing medical appointments and health travel, HealthDirect Australia is a useful resource.
Questions to Ask Before You Book Specialist Travel
Preparing the right questions prevents unexpected costs. Use this checklist before you book:
Ask the specialist or clinic:
- Is this appointment medically necessary, and is the service available closer to home?
- How often will follow-up visits be required?
- Will any part of the consultation be bulk bill to Medicare?
Ask your local PTAS office:
- Is this specialist and clinic recognised as an eligible clinical service?
- Is interstate travel necessary, or do Tasmanian options exist?
- What travel mode and accommodation level will PTAS approve?
Ask about paperwork and timing:
- How long does approval typically take?
- What documents does the authorised officer need from my doctor?
- Do I need separate forms for repeat visits?
Ask about accommodation costs:
- Can any local providers bill PTAS directly?
- What is the current nightly accommodation subsidy?
- Will I need to pay a patient contribution at check-in?
Travel for holidays, sightseeing, or visiting friends is not covered. Keep medical travel bookings completely separate from any personal travel you add at your own cost, and consider how PTAS fits alongside broader disability support services that promote independence.
Appeals, Exceptional Rulings and Getting Extra Help
Sometimes a PTAS application falls outside the standard rules. Here is what you can do:
- Appeals: If your application is declined, lodge an appeal in writing to the PTAS Manager – usually within 60 days of the decision. Include any new supporting information.
- Exceptional rulings: When a case does not fit strict rules but aligns with the scheme’s intent, the PTAS Advisory and Approvals Committee can assess it case-by-case. You will need detailed specialist letters and a completed exceptional ruling form.
- Support: Your GP, hospital social worker, or Re.Connect Support Services coordinator can help gather evidence and draft appeal letters. For further information, always refer to the most up-to-date PTAS policy documents on the Tasmanian Department of Health website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Patient Travel Assistance in Tasmania
These questions cover additional details not fully addressed above, and this page answers extra PTAS questions not covered above.
Can I use PTAS together with NDIS transport funding?
PTAS only covers medically necessary specialist travel and accommodation. NDIS transport funding covers everyday activities and support-related travel. The two schemes serve different purposes – do not assume one will reimburse costs intended for the other. Families navigating NDIS transport for people on the autism spectrum may benefit from dedicated NDIS autism support services. For general transport needs, Community Transport Services Tasmania provides transport for individuals who have difficulty accessing other transport, and the Transport Access Scheme provides transport concessions for eligible people with disabilities.
Do I need to submit a new form for every visit?
It depends on your treatment plan. For some ongoing treatment schedules (such as oncology), a single application may cover multiple visits. For other appointments, a new PTAS application may be required each time. Contact your PTAS office to confirm the exact current process.
What if my specialist appointment is cancelled or rescheduled?
Notify PTAS and your accommodation provider immediately. You may need a revised approval for new dates to avoid paying for costs that PTAS cannot reimburse. Acting quickly protects you from unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.
How long do PTAS reimbursements take?
Expect payment several weeks after all documents are received and correctly completed. Late or missing receipts cause delays. Providing complete bank details and documentation upfront speeds up the process.
Does private health insurance affect my PTAS eligibility?
PTAS focuses on travel and accommodation subsidies, not treatment costs. Patients with private health insurance can still claim PTAS if they meet all other eligibility criteria. Also note that Cancer Council Tasmania offers transport services for cancer patients facing transportation challenges – a helpful complement to PTAS for eligible patients, particularly when combined with specialised dementia care and support for those living with cognitive impairment.
How Re.Connect Support Services Can Help
Planning specialist travel can involve more than filling in a form. Re.Connect Support Services can help clients coordinate practical support around their healthcare journey, such as organising relevant information, preparing questions for providers, arranging appropriate domestic assistance services at home, and considering how travel fits with their wider support plan. We can also connect you with healing and recovery-focused NDIS supports where appropriate. We can help you understand where to seek guidance, but PTAS eligibility, approvals, subsidy amounts and claims are determined by the Tasmanian Department of Health.
If you or someone you support is preparing for specialist travel, contact Re.Connect Support Services to discuss the practical support that may be available. Check the current PTAS rules with the official scheme before booking, and keep PTAS medical travel arrangements separate from holidays and general NDIS transport.
