Plans to Expand the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme

Have you heard of the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (APTAAS)? APTAAS is a NSW Government scheme providing financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs when a patient needs to travel long distances for treatment that is not available locally.

If eligible, you can claim a financial subsidy towards:

• Private vehicle travel
• Public transport (trains, buses and ferries)
• Taxis
• Air travel (in special circumstances)
• Accommodation
• The cost of having an escort/carer to support you during your treatment.

Last week it was announced that the NSW Government plans to invest an additional $149.5 million into APTAAS as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget.

This injection of funds will assist patients seeking non-commercial clinical trials, high risk foot clinics, highly specialised publicly funded dental health clinics and ocularists.

The subsidy for people requiring accommodation will be almost doubled, while the NSW Government will also nearly double the private vehicle subsidy rate from 22 cents to 40 cents per kilometre for patients who have to travel more than 100 kilometres for care.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the announcement will see a huge weight lifted off so many patients who were previously unable to receive help.

“We know that when you have to travel for healthcare, the costs can quickly add up, and this can be a huge financial burden on patients and their families.

“If we as Government can do one thing to support people and their families during a time of great emotional and financial distress, this is it,” Mrs Taylor said.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the boost will put NSW well ahead of other states with how comprehensive and generous its patient travel subsidy scheme is.

“This funding will see our overall investment in IPTAAS tripled over the next four years, with the NSW Government leading the way to assist rural and regional patients in getting the help and support they need.

“Networked, highly specialised care sometimes requires significant travel in our rural and remote communities and this scheme is essential to ensuring people can access the care while also reducing the out-of-pocket costs,” Mr Kean said.

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