Travel support (PTAS)
What is the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)?
If you live in Tasmania and need financial support with travel and/or accommodation to receive your medical treatment or care, there is help available. This is called the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS).
PTAS provides financial assistance with travel and/or accommodation costs for Tasmanian residents to access a range of specialist medical services, where these services are not available locally.
This is an assistance scheme only and you are expected to make a patient contribution.
Qualifying for the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
You can receive financial help for travel and/or accommodation if you must travel from a certain distance from where you normally live. There are different distances for different types of medical treatment.
- If you live more than 50 kilometres (one way) to the nearest oncology or dialysis treatment centre
- If you live more than 75 kilometres (one way) to the nearest appropriate specialist medical service
- more than 75 kilometres (one way) to access lymphoedema treatment
- You can only receive financial support for interstate treatment if it is unavailable in Tasmania.
You must:
- be a Tasmanian permanent resident;
- be travelling by the least expensive form of transport;
- have a PTAS application form signed by your referring medical specialist, oral/maxillofacial surgeon or rural GP referring you to the nearest appropriate specialist;
- be receiving treatment claimable under Medicare from a recognised medical specialist; and
- not be entitled to financial assistance through another scheme e.g. Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB), Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Workers Compensation, or other compensable schemes.
What are my responsibilities in applying for PTAS?
It is your responsibility to:
- submit the PTAS application form to your local PTAS Office as soon as the application form is completed by your referring medical specialist or rural GP;
- ensure Section C of the PTAS application form is completed by the nominated specialist;
- travel and attend any medical appointment as arranged;
- give adequate notice if unable to travel; and
- provide up-to-date contact details and bank account details if payment of the subsidy is expected.
Costs of PTAS
Learn about costs for:
- travelling within Tasmania
- travelling outside of Tasmania
- how much we will pay for travel and accommodation, and how much you will pay.
Frequently asked questions
Download an FAQ booklet for patients.
Download an FAQ booklet for medical practitioners.
Applying for the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)
- Download the PTAS Application Form or visit your local PTAS Office or Service Tasmania shop.
- Please fill in all applicable information in the application form correctly. Incomplete or inaccurate information will lead to delay in the process.
- Submit your applications by email, fax, post or deliver in person to your local PTAS office.
- You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to fill out and submit the form online.
How to submit your application by email
- Complete the form by typing directly into the boxes provided.
- Save the completed form with a new file name – Patient's first name_Patient's last name.
- Choose the ‘Print Form’ button to prepare a copy for your records.
- Click the ‘Submit by Email’ to send the completed form.
How to submit your application by fax, post or in-person
- Choose the ‘Print Form’ button to print an application form
- Complete the form
- Fax or post or bring the completed form to your local PTAS office
PTAS Office locations and contact details
| Region | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| PTAS South |
C/- Telstra Building Phone: 03 6166 8225 Fax: 03 6173 0321 Switchboard Phone: 03 6166 8308 |
| Launceston General Hospital |
Charles Street, Launceston 7250 Phone: 03 6777 6249 Fax: 03 6777 5238 Switchboard Phone: 03 6777 6777 |
| North-West Regional Hospital |
North-West Regional Hospital C/ Parkside Building Strahan Street, Burnie 7320 Phone: 03 6477 7734 Fax: 03 6434 6998 Switchboard Phone: 03 6493 6000 |
Other PTAS Coordinators
| Coordinator | Contact Details |
|---|---|
|
Devonport Community and Health Services Centre |
23 Steele Street, Devonport 7310 Phone: 03 6478 6177 |
|
West Coast District Hospital |
60–64 Orr Street, Queenstown 7467 |
|
Rosebery Community Health Centre |
Murchison Highway, Rosebery 7470 Phone: 03 6495 1570 |
|
Smithton District Hospital |
74 Brittons Road, Smithton 7330 Phone: 03 6478 9520 |
|
King Island Hospital and Health Centre |
31 Edward Street Currie, King Island 7256 Phone: 03 6462 9900 |
Where can I find out more?
To discuss PTAS eligibility requirements or benefits, please call your nearest PTAS Coordinator.
You can also get information from:
- Service Tasmania
- Primary Health Facilities.
