State and Territory governments are required to provide all Australians with timely access to quality health services based on their needs, regardless of where they live in the country. The PTSS assists with travel and accommodation costs only. It is not intended to cover all costs associated with accessing specialist health services. This guideline outlines the financial assistance available to eligible patients.
Subsidies are available to eligible patients referred to specialist health services located 50 kilometres or more one way from a Queensland public hospital or public health facility closest to their permanent address. The distance is determined using the Google Maps calculator www. Please note: A patient should travel as soon as reasonably possible before and after treatment, unless otherwise instructed by their clinician.
Please note : proof of payment must be provided, refer to Section 8: Subsidy claims. The PTSS helps with travel and accommodation costs only. The cost of meals, parking, telephone calls and transfers e. Please note: The hospital and health service assessing the PTSS application will assess the clinical appropriateness for the appointment to be conducted via Telehealth.
If a patient chooses to travel when Telehealth is available and clinically appropriate, PTSS subsidies will not be provided. Please note: overseas travel to access specialist services is not covered by PTSS.
Patients requiring relocation shall be directed to alternative long-term accommodation Refer to Section 6. While students are living at boarding school, the address of their boarding school will be considered as their permanent address. Eligible boarding school students will only be entitled to have an escort travel from a different location e. Only escorts who are residents of Queensland and currently residing in Queensland are eligible. The public hospital or public health facility closest to the boarding school is responsible for approving and paying subsidies.
