tasmania patient travel assistance scheme

The Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)

Tasmanian patient and carers guide to claiming accommodation subsidies for interstate travel

What is PTAS?

The Tasmanian Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) subsidises the cost of travel and accommodation for residents of Tasmania  who need to travel for specialised medical care.

Subsidies are provided to help cover the costs of staying in accommodation close to hospitals. Patients can also claim travel costs including private car and public transport costs.

PTAS supports residents of Tasmania travelling to hospitals in Tasmania and interstate. This guide explains support for interstate travel . 

If you are a Tasmanian patient travelling to hospital within Tasmania, please click here to find out more. 

Eligibility Criteria

In Tasmania, the main eligibility criteria for PTAS is distance. For interstate travel approval, the main criteria is:

People travelling interstate to receive medical care that is not available within Tasmania

You also need to be a resident of Tasmania.

You must not be receiving financial assistance for accommodation costs from another organisation.

Who decides if I am eligible to claim PTAS

Your medical specialist needs to confirm you are travelling for specialist medical care. The doctor must be approved to practice as a specialist under Medicare Australia and their details must be included on the form. The specialist or an authorised officer, such as a hospital social worker, practice manager, receptionist or nurse may sign your form.

Please ask your medical specialist or staff at the clinic to assist you with this process. You can also contact the PTAS Office directly for further information. Once your form is submitted to the PTAS Office, they will process your application and confirm your eligibility and reimbursements.

Please note, MediStays does not approve your application. 

How much is the accommodation subsidy

The subsidy varies depending on your situation:

[For travel within Tasmania,  please visit this page ]

Patients not admitted to hospital may be eligible to claim up to $98.00/night  accommodation subsidy.

Patients travelling with an approved escort

Patients not admitted to hospital who are travelling with an approved escort may be eligible to claim up to $98/night per person.

If you are an approved escort for a patient admitted to hospital you can claim an accommodation subsidy of up to $98.00/night.

When to contact MediStays?

If you are eligible to apply for PTSS, contact MediStays to book your accommodation and link us with your local PTSS Office. We can then arrange all payments with PTSS directly – peace of mind for you. 

Can I apply for PTAS online?

Please visit the Tasmanian PATS website to find out more.

Other frequently asked questions

Yes, MediStays are delighted to arrange bulk-billing for your PTAS.

Please contact us to discuss this option prior to booking at [email protected] or on 1300 085 036.

Every property on the MediStays website can be booked for your accommodation and PTAS claim.

No, PTAS entitles you to claim all accommodation costs, including one-night stays. However you may need to pay for the first two (2) nights accommodation per travel journey (unless you hold a concession card).

As escort is a person approved to travel with the patient. This may include your husband or wife or primary carer. The parents of children under 18 years of age and escorts for people with a disability receive automatic approval as escorts.

A baby under the age of six months is entitled to two escorts.

Accommodation is not subsidised for stays in private homes. 

Interstate PTAS supports you for travel to another state – outside of Tasmania. 

As stated on the  PTAS website, in general, you will not be eligible to claim PTAS if you:

• participate in clinical trials or experimental treatments that are medical research studies that aim to find a better way to manage a particular disease
• live in states or territories other than Tasmania
• are away from their permanent place of residence when the treatment episode begins, such as when on holidays or while visiting friends or family either within Tasmania or interstate
• are undertaking a journey to or from outside Australia for medical treatment
• are accessing allied health (for example, audiology, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech therapy)
• are accessing general practitioner (GP) services
• are eligible to claim assistance under another state or territory or from a registered benefit organisation including the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Receiving Workcare or Motor Accidents payments

For example, if an escort stays in accommodation close to hospital at $ 150/night they will pay $52 per night for accommodation.

PTAS will subsidise the remaining $98 per night.

If both patient and escort stay in the accommodation at $150/night there will be no out of pocket cost* (subject to first two nights stay per journey)

You will need to pay the first two (2) nights per travel journey.

The fee is waived if you are a minor, or concession card holder for Veterans Affairs, Seniors Health Card, Centrelink Health Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

The two night fee per travel journey is waived if you are a concession card holder, or the child of a concession card holder

Eligible concession cards are:

• Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card
• Services Australia Health Care Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card

Yes, if you are an approved escort you are eligible to claim the accommodation subsidy. For example, you may book accommodation with MediStays to stay near the hospital until he is discharged. You are eligible to claim up to $98/night accommodation subsidy in this situation.

Yes, the PTAS covers the best available economy fare. Full approval must be made in advance.

Please check with your local PTAS office.

Please contact the closest PTAS office directly for further information.

Royal Hobart Hospital

03 61668225

[email protected]

North West Regional Hospital

03 64777734

[email protected]

Launceston General Hospital

[email protected]

Website:   PTAS | Tasmanian Department of Health

If you are eligible to apply for PTAS, please submit your forms and MediStays tax invoice to the PTAS office when your stay has finished.

For long stays, you may also apply in advance or in regular intervals. 

How MediStays can help…

Checking your eligibility after booking.

When you book accommodation with MediStays, you can choose to tell us your postcode. This enables us to guide you on your eligibility for PTAS and send you the link for the relevant PTAS approval.

Which MediStays accommodation is eligible?

All properties listed on the MediStays website are eligible – simply book on our website and submit your MediStays tax invoice with your application form. Alternatively, please contact us directly to arrange payment with your local PTAS office.

Are you a patient or carer travelling for medical care?

Our Care Navigators can assist with accommodation and funding support.

YourCare supplier

Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)

Financial assistance may be available under this scheme for those Tasmanian residents who need to travel more than 75 kms to access specialist medical services in Tasmania or who need to travel interstate to access specialist medical services not available in Tasmania.Financial assistance may be available towards approved air, sea or road travel and some accommodation expenses. It is strongly advised to check with the local PTAS coordinator before making any arrangements or decisions.

Launceston General Hospital Charles St Suburb: LAUNCESTON State: TAS Postcode: 7250

(03) 6348 7249

Understanding the price you pay for care is essential for managing the cost of living. That’s our mission, to provide you with clarity and a better deal on the cost of care.

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Patient Travel Assistance Program - Devonport

TAS, Australia

The provision of travel and accommodation assistance to eligible patients referred out of the North West Coast for specialist treatment. Benefits will only be paid for interstate referrals when the treatment is not available in Tasmania

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Sorry i am in SA post code 5204 i need food and fuel age pensioner with 2 children.can i get some help. A 3rd child on weekends thank you

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Hi my name is Trent. I have been unemployed since February 10th, I have applied for jobseeker but my claim was rejected and now is being reassessed by the complex review team. I am in need of some food and personal items as I have fully out welcomed my friends and family for support. I have a rental bill through my Aunty but they are not chasing me down for it. If anyone could help me I will be much appreciated. This is the first time I have ever had to ask for help and it’s a hard thing to do.

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Tasmania rural and remote health services

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• Living in rural and remote parts of Tasmania means it might be harder for you to access some specialist health services.
• It is important to be familiar with health services in your area, so that you can get help when you or your family need it.
• Telehealth allows remote video and phone contact with health practitioners.
• You may be eligible for travel and accommodation support for medical appointments.

Planning ahead

From beautiful coastlines to rugged wilderness, Tasmania offers many lifestyle benefits for locals and visitors. Many parts of Tasmania are isolated and far away from the main cities. It is important to know where to find health information and services, so you can get help when you or someone in your family need it.

Tasmania's biggest industries are tourism and forestry, and most of the state is considered rural and remote. While the cost of living is lower than in mainland Australia, so are wages. There are also higher rates of unemployment and social disadvantage.

What types of health services are available?

Tasmania has 4 major hospitals , and some smaller district hospitals that offer a range of limited health services. Tasmania also has specific health services including:

• alcohol and drugs
• breast cancer screening
• mental health

Outpatient clinics in Tasmania offer specialist medical, paediatric, aged care , obstetric and surgical assessment, as well as allied health services and medical testing.

Finding services and online support

Online health information can be helpful. However, it's important to use sources you can trust, such as healthdirect's service finder .

You can call healthdirect for free 24-hour health advice for non-urgent care. Call 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse.

If you are pregnant, or a parent of a young child and have a health question, the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby video call service allows you to speak face-to-face with a maternal child health nurse. Video call is a free service and is available from 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

Telehealth helps people and health practitioners in remote areas contact specialists and major hospitals through audio and video calls. This can, in some situations, reduce your need to travel to a health appointment.

My health record

My Health Record is a secure online summary of your health information. It can help improve communication between your doctors, health services, specialists and hospitals. You may have several health providers in different locations, and this digital summary means your health information is all in one place, and easily accessible to all the health professionals involved in your care.

Travelling to medical and health services

You may need to travel to a hospital or specialist within Tasmania , or to the mainland. If so, you might be able to apply for help for non-emergency patient transport. Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) can provide financial support towards medical travel and accommodation. It also has online information to help you prepare for hospital admission.

Ambulance Tasmania and the Royal Flying Doctor Service work together to provide:

• emergency ambulance care
• non-emergency patient transport
• health education

Travelling to hospital with a sick child can be hard for the whole family. Ask your local health service or the hospital about what support may be available. You might also be able to get help for accommodation through Ronald McDonald House .

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health

A range of health services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people is available in rural and remote parts of Tasmania.

Mental health and wellbeing

People living and working in rural and remote areas can sometimes feel more pressures than those in the city. These can include:

• loneliness and isolation
• financial hardship
• lack of employment opportunities
• natural disasters

Access Mental Health is a support, triage and referral phone line for anyone in Tasmania who needs immediate support. Call 1800 332 388 to access:

• immediate phone counselling
• information about the Tasmanian mental health system
• referral to the public mental health services

If you are experiencing distress, you can call Lifeline 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

Services are also available if you need help with relationships and mental health .

Emergency medical help

In a medical emergency, dial triple zero (000) immediately, and ask for an ambulance.

Resources and support

To find health services in Tasmania specific to your needs, visit the following:

• health services
• services for carers
• disability services

Further information

More information on a range of health conditions and services include:

• rural and remote health
• symptom checker
• My Aged Care
• Aboriginal community and health services
• rural child safety

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available from 7 am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content .

Last reviewed: July 2023

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Where can I get help and support

Travelling away from home for tests and treatment can be distressing for both you and your family. Where possible, whenever you need to travel away from home, ask for assistance so someone can travel with you. It is better for family to be together as much as possible.

There is assistance for you and your family if you have to travel away from home for tests and/or treatment during your cancer journey. Your doctor, nurse or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker can help you get connected to services that offer assistance.

The Cancer Council has some information about help for travel and accommodation. You can call 13 11 20 and have a yarn with someone.

Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)

All states and territories have Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS). This help people in rural and remote Australia with travel costs for specialist treatment.

Wherever you live, PATS helps with:

• travel expenses for public transport
• somewhere to stay near treatment
• travel and a bed for a friend, family member or carer to be with you.

Some schemes also cover:

• costs of taxis to and from treatment
• an allowance – a bit of money to spend when you have to be away from home
• extra journeys for your friend, family member or carer.

Read this Guide to patient assisted travel schemes from the National Rural Health Alliance.  Read about PATS in your area:

• ACT: Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
• Northern Territory: Patient Assistance Travel Scheme
• NSW: Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme
• Queensland: Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
• South Australia: Patient Assistance Travel Scheme
• Tasmania: Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
• Western Australia: Patient Assisted Travel Scheme and Interstate Patient Travel Scheme
• Victoria: Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme

Other help with travel

These organisations might help with travel for appointments and treatment:

• Australian Red Cross Transport
• Angel Flight Australia
• Royal Flying Doctor Service
• Leukaemia Foundation Patient Transport program – free for people with blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma – call 1800 620 420 
• Can Assist helps ease the burden of cancer and can help with money and somewhere to stay for people with cancer from rural NSW. Call 02 8217 3400.
• Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Carer Gateway
• Some hospitals have community transport like a shuttle bus. Sometimes it’s free or there could be a small cost. Call the Cancer Council on 13 11 20 to ask if there is community transport near you. 

Somewhere to stay

For help with somewhere to stay you can contact:

• Ronald McDonald House (children and their families)
• NSW only – Country Women's Association 
• See here for more on rural and remote health services and support .

Car parking

Some hospitals have free or cheaper car parking for people with cancer. Ask at the hospital.

For more help

Ask your local doctor, nurse or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker about help with travel and accommodation. They help many patients with this kind of request and will be able to either answer your questions or put you in contact with someone who can.

Tasmanian Government makes changes to the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme

The Tasmanian government has announced it will implement all 35 recommendations from an independent review of the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme.

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The scheme provides financial assistance to residents who must travel to access specialised medical services.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff (pictured) was pleased to deliver further assistance to Tasmanians amid a higher cost of living environment.

"We are responding to support people with their accommodation needs, their travel needs, as well as reducing the burden, and indeed, any barrier that would have to access critical and important health services," he said.

"We, as a government, have accepted all 35 recommendations based on that absolute principle of equity, ease of access, and ensuring that we are very mindful of the cost of living pressures, as well, on Tasmanians, and particularly Tasmanians that need health care outside their local community."

Mr Rockliff said one of the critical recommendations implemented was that concession card holders would travel for free.

"To reduce and ensure that there is no co-payment required for concession card holders is a very important step to ensuring that we are reducing the barriers and increasing equality of access when it comes to people in rural and regional areas," he said.

"I'm pleased to announce, also, that we are increasing the subsidies when it comes to travel and accommodation up to 15 per cent, which is a big step up."

Compared to similar schemes in other Australian states, Mr Rockliff believed Tasmania's program had been a success so far.

"But we are not stopping there," he said.

"We recognise that we are a very decentralised state.

"In Tasmania, many people live in rural and regional areas.

"We are also increasing the investment of some $1 million."

Labor health spokesperson Anita Dow welcomed the Liberal government implementing the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme recommendations.

"Today's announcement is overdue," she said.

"The Premier has been sitting on this report now for a significant amount of time, and we've been calling for it to be released."

"I think those people that took the time to be involved in the public consultation process will be very pleased to actually know the outcome of that.

"They've been waiting for a significant amount of time now."

Ms Dow said Labor had been pushing the government to make changes to the program.

"It was actually us who called for the review of this service and people in the community who were concerned that it wasn't meeting their current needs," she said.

Simon McGuire

I'm a passionate reporter covering all things North-West. Got a story idea? Contact me on 0439 660 724 or [email protected].

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Patient Travel Assistance Scheme riddled with issues: KI resident

Public money is being thrown at an "extraordinary" rate on a medical system that is so problem-riddled some people have had to refuse medical attention, a King Island resident claims.

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The system, called the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme, provides help with the costs of accommodation and travel for Tasmanians who are required to travel a certain distance to receive medical attention.

It was subject to a review last year after users publicly called out a series of issues with the scheme , but the report on the findings is yet to be released.

When asked about the review, Health Minister and Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government had received the report, which was "very extensive and contains a number of recommendations".

One of those whistle blowers was King Island's Jill Munro, who for years has been a regular traveller to mainland Tasmania to get medical treatment.

READ MORE: King Island's Mac Esguerra becomes first student to get TCE at local high school

Under PTAS, she and other islanders can claim a large proportion of accommodation and travel costs.

Ms Munro believes that system worked "brilliantly" up until staffing changes in 2019 turned the system into a "nightmare".

"We're totally reliant on the Health Department," she started.

"There are more flights to Burnie than to Launceston. We used to have a system where there would be a driver to pick us up at Wynyard and take us to Launceston. For some reason the Health Department doesn't do that now.

"Are they expecting sick or wounded people to take a bus? We can't always do that. I myself have had to refuse medical attention because the Department would not organise transport."

The average cost of flying to Burnie is nearly $500 return, and nearly $700 return to get to Launceston. Ms Munro guessed the government could be saving thousands of dollars each year if they instead flew patients to Melbourne, where the average return trip costs between $250 - $350.

"The money that is being wasted is a disgrace," she said.

"If we get sent for day surgery in Burnie, we have to go with someone, so that's double the cost.

"They've also refused to increase the cost of accommodation, that's been the same since 2013."

READ MORE: Man dies on King Island after leaving mental health facility

Ms Munro submitted her concerns to the government review last year, and said she has heard nothing back since.

Mr Rockliff did not answer when asked by The Advocate if the government would consider taking King Island patients to Melbourne instead.

Labor Health Spokesperson Anita Dow said the report was sitting with Mr Rockliff, and accused him of refusing to release the findings in order to improve the scheme.

"Many Tasmanians rely on the crucial Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) for support, but its future remains uncertain," she said.

"Many Tasmanians that use PTAS contributed submissions to the 2021 review of the scheme and even attended public meetings to discuss the challenges with the current scheme."

RELATED: King Island vet asked to give X-rays to humans amid issues with hospital certification

However, Mr Rockliff said the government was "absolutely committed to the scheme", and could "assure the entire Tasmanian community, and especially King Islanders, that it will continue".

"The protocols for the scheme were originally drafted in 2013, so it was timely to review them to ensure the scheme continues to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, so that it provides maximum benefit to Tasmanians," he said.

"We are currently considering the report and will release it publicly, along with our full response to the recommendations."

He did not specify a timeline, and did not give any indication as to what improvements would be made.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

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Meg Powell has been a journalist for the Advocate Newspaper in North-West Tasmania since 2019. She has covered a range of areas and issues including crime, health, environmental issues, business, social affairs , the arts and education. Got a story to share? Email [email protected] or call 0448 302 029

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HECS debt up to $100,000 waived, incentives offered for graduate GPs to come to Tasmania

• In short: The Tasmanian government is hoping to lure up to 40 GP graduates to the state through new incentives, but they will have to work in rural and regional areas.
• The incentive package has been welcomed by the state's Rural Doctors Association, as the country competes for GPs.
• What's next? The particulars will be finalised by August 1. The Tasmanian government says it is continuing to progress other works in its healthcare Long-Term Plan. 

Up to 40 graduate GPs are set to have $100,000 of their HECS debt covered, or be provided with a relocation incentive, as the Tasmanian Liberal government makes good on an election promise. 

During this year's election campaign, the party pledged to cover the HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) debt up to $100,000 for 40 GPs, in a bid to tackle the low rate of medical students specialising in the field.

It's an issue particularly felt in Tasmania's regional and rural communities, with multiple practices having shut their doors, or risked closing, in recent years.

Health minister Guy Barnett said the "incentive package" would complement the federal government's commitment to cover the HECS debt for doctors working in eligible remote and rural areas. 

"We are a rural and regional state, we're decentralised, and those 40 extra GPs will mean better and more healthcare services for the Tasmanians that deserve it," he said.

Mr Barnett said the incentives would apply over a five year period, to ensure the medical professionals stayed in Tasmania's regional and rural areas for at least that duration.

The particulars of the incentive, including the specific areas it will apply to and how to apply, are due to be released by the start of August.

Incentive puts Tasmania 'on the front foot', association says

The president of Tasmania's Rural Doctors Association, Ben Dodds, said he was "really pleased" by the incentive.

"It's a really significant amount of money," Dr Dodds said.

"And the flexibility of it beings HECS related or also a rural and remote relocation or incentive allowance is really important.

"It's about being flexible to what the needs of that particular young GP might be, whether it's moving with a family, buying a house for the first time, or eliminating their remaining HECS debt."

Dr Dodds said with GP shortages an issue right across the country, it was important that Tasmania's offer got attention.

"We've seen states like Victoria and Queensland start to announce incentive payments for GPs and training and we need to be on the front foot here to match and exceed those," Dr Dodds said.

"In this particular election commitment we will exceed the amount of funding that's available for GPs.

"It means getting junior doctors and more experienced GPs working in Tasmania so they can supervise the next generation of GPs that come from Tasmania, and want to train [here]."

It was a view shared by Deloraine GP and practice owner Aaron Hawkins.

He said incentives such as this fed into changing the narrative around specialising in general practice, which was currently facing a lot of "negativity".

"That's a big picture change that needs to happen," Dr Hawkins said.

"Breaking down some of these barriers with incentives like these is a step in the right direction that'll change the perception for the junior doctors, which in the long term will boost our GP workforce, which then makes the job more fulfilling, more sustainable."

Part of 'three pronged approach', says minister

Asked how the GP incentives would assist with the viability of general practices, Mr Barnett said it was one part of a " three-pronged approach" the government was taking to assist general practice.

He said the other focuses included $250,000 grants for GP practices to become more sustainable, and the standing up of a GP rapid response team, to assist "where there's thin and failing markets".

He said these two initiatives were both "set to begin shortly".

The update on the HECS promise came on the day the government released the implementation plan for its Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmania.

Mr Barnett said the plan provided a "blueprint of how the Tasmanian government will work in partnership with the Tasmanian community" in its delivery of a "world class, innovative and integrated health system".

He said key initiatives already achieved included the establishment of urgent care clinics and the Tasmanian Rural and Remote Clinical Network, with priorities over the next two years including "providing more access to after-hours primary care" and "making healthcare easier to access through virtual care hubs".

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