The Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) provides financial assistance with travel and/or accommodation costs to Tasmanian residents who need to travel
- more than 50 kms (one way) to the nearest oncology or dialysis treatment centre; or
- more than 75 kms (one way) to the nearest appropriate specialist medical service; or
- more than 75 kms (one way) to access lymphoedema treatment
from the permanent residence. Benefits will only be paid for interstate referrals when the treatment is not available in Tasmania.
If you are interested in more information on the Government's response and action plan, or the independent reviews, please access the following link www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/futurehealth
Better travel support and service
The Scheme will be enhanced from 1 December 2008. This includes:
- An increase to the petrol allowance from 13 cents to 19 cents per kilometre, making Tasmania’s scheme on top of other Australian jurisdictions
- An increase to the commercial accommodation rate from $30 per person per night to a maximum of $46 for intrastate accommodation and up to $64 interstate accommodation per person per night – again, making Tasmania’s scheme above other Australian jurisdictions
- Patients who are required to travel more than 50 kms (one way) to access the nearest dialysis or oncology treatment centre are entitled to PTAS benefits
- Patients who travel for lymphoedema treatment are eligible for PTAS benefits
- A new simplified PTAS application form which can be submitted electronically
Please note: For treatment received from 1 December 2008 (claims received within the eligible lodgement period for treatment received prior to 1 December 2008 will be reimbursed at the previous travel and accommodation rates).
More Information
Information pamphlet for Patients - Travelling within Tasmania to access specialist medical services
Information pamphlet for Patients - Travelling outside Tasmania to access specialist medical services
Information booklet for Patients – Frequently asked questions
Information booklet for Medical Practitioners
PTAS A3 Poster
PTAS Policy and Guidelines 2008
Accommodation Handbook - Royal Hobart Hospital
Accommodation Handbook - Launceston General Hospital
Accommodation Handbook - North West Regional Hospital
PTAS Application Form
The new PTAS application form has been streamlined to reduce and simplify the amount of information that an applicant has to give us. Both the old and new application forms will be accepted during the changeover period.
PTAS Application Form can be downloaded here or obtained from your local PTAS Office or Service Tasmania shop.
Application Form Submission Instructions
Applications can be submitted by email, fax, post or deliver in person to your local PTAS Office. To fill out and submit the PTAS application form on-line Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
1. Email
a. complete the form by typing directly into the boxes provided
b. save the completed form with a new file name “Patient's first name_Patient's last name”
c. choose the "Print Form" button to prepare a copy for your records
d. click the "Submit by Email" to send the completed form
2. Fax or post or submit the form in person
a. choose the "Print Form" button to print an application form
b. complete the form
c. fax or post or bring the completed form to your local PTAS Office
Please ensure that you fill all applicable information in the application form correctly. Incomplete or inaccurate information will lead to delay in the process.