Patient Assistance Transport Scheme's fuel subsidy doubles

The fuel subsidy for the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme – called PATS for short – has doubled from 16c to 32c per kilometre, effective for appointments from 1 January 2023.

PATS provides financial assistance towards people’s transport and accommodation costs when they’re required to travel more than 100km each way to access necessary medical specialist services that are not available locally.

Learn about PATS

Am I eligible?

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PATS is a subsidy program funded by the Government of South Australia

Through the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS), subsidies are provided to assist South Australians who are required to travel more than 100km each way to access necessary and approved medical specialist services that are not available locally.

Barry's story

Barry is a Riverland local - he's lived in Waikerie all his life.

An unexpected diagnosis left Barry and his wife facing a long round-trip to Adelaide each fortnight for specialist care.

"That's where the PATS scheme did come in and became very, very helpful to us. There was available finance for travel...knowing there is some money out there to support you - it helps."

What does PATS cover?

Barry's story

Barry is a Riverland local - he's lived in Waikerie all his life.

An unexpected diagnosis left Barry and his wife facing a long round-trip to Adelaide each fortnight for specialist care.

"There was available finance for travel...knowing there is some money out there to support you - it helps."

What does PATS cover?

What is PATS?

PATS is a subsidy program funded by the Government of South Australia and administered through the six regional local health networks by the Rural Support Service in SA Health.

PATS can contribute to the cost of your accommodation and travel, including air travel authorised by your specialist if required.

Learn more about PATS

What is PATS?

PATS is a subsidy program funded by the Government of South Australia and administered through the six regional local health networks by the Rural Support Service in SA Health.

PATS can contribute to the cost of your accommodation and travel, including air travel authorised by your specialist if required.

Learn more about PATS

How do I make a claim?

The PATS online portal is quick and easy to use – login or register to make your claim.

Make sure you have an email address and your Medicare number handy.

Paper-based PATS forms are still available if you need them and can be accessed as PDFs for printing yourself.

About online claiming

How do I make a claim?

The PATS online portal is quick and easy to use – login or register to make your claim.

Make sure you have an email address and your Medicare number handy.

Paper-based PATS forms are still available if you need them and can be accessed as PDFs for printing yourself.

About online claiming

Latest Updates

January 3, 2023

Fuel Subsidy Increase

People living in regional, remote and rural areas who need to travel for medical treatment will now get more financial support to get to and from […]

December 16, 2022

PATS Christmas Break 2022

All PATS offices will have reduced services over the break. Face to face and phone services will be paused from 19 December 2022, returning to normal […]

March 26, 2021

Recent changes to PATS

Recent changes to PATS The Rural Support Service has made some exciting changes to PATS, as part of the government’s commitment to improve regional health provision […]