The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)
PATS is a subsidy scheme funded by the Government of South Australia and administered through the six regional local health networks by the Rural Support Service in SA Health.
Through 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.
The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)
PATS is a subsidy scheme funded by the Government of South Australia and administered through the six regional local health networks by the Rural Support Service in SA Health.
Through 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.
To be eligible for PATS subsidies, you need to:
- be a permanent South Australian resident
- be enrolled in Medicare and receive treatment claimable through Medicare
- not receive, or be eligible for, financial assistance for travel and accommodation through another provider, and have claimed any available benefits from a private health fund first, if applicable
- have an appointment with or receive treatment from the nearest recognised medical specialist or approved medical specialist service (unless there is a valid medical reason for bypassing this service, in which case your referring doctor must complete Part B of the application form)
- be travelling more than 100km from your residence to your appointment or treatment location.
Approved escorts are also eligible for PATS. For more information, please read the PATS guidelines for assessment.
To be eligible for PATS subsidies, you need to:
- be a permanent South Australian resident
- be enrolled in Medicare and receive treatment claimable through Medicare
- not receive, or be eligible for, financial assistance for travel and accommodation through another provider, and have claimed any available benefits from a private health fund first, if applicable
- have an appointment with or receive treatment from the nearest recognised medical specialist or approved medical specialist service (unless there is a valid medical reason for bypassing this service, in which case your referring doctor must complete section 1 of the application form)
- be travelling more than 100km from your residence to your appointment or treatment location.
Approved escorts are also eligible for PATS. For more information, please read the PATS Guidelines for Assessment.
What's covered?
PATS can contribute to the cost of your accommodation and travel, including air travel authorised by your specialist if required.
Specific details about what’s covered can be found in the PATS Guidelines for Assessment.
Scroll for more information about subsidies and eligible services.What subsidies are available?
PATS will provide 34.4* cents per km travelled by private vehicle, or generally most of the cost of public transport or air travel – if you have been medically authorised to travel by air.
Patients may be eligible up to $110 per night
Patients and eligible escorts may also be eligible for $154 per night.
Subsidies may be available for patients travelling to an Airport or Bus station/transport hub.
* For appointments dated in 2025 to 2026 Financial Year the subsidy rate is 33.6 cents per km.
* For appointments dated in 2024 to 2025 Financial Year the subsidy rate is 32.8 cents per km.
* For appointments dated before 1st July 2024 the subsidy rate is 32.0 cents per km.
Services eligible for PATS
Medical specialist appointments (in person or via telehealth) and some medical specialist services that are covered by Medicare are eligible for PATS subsidies.
Approved medical specialist services include:
Pregnancy Advisory Centre (PAC)
BreastScreen SA
chemotherapy
prosthetics/orthotics clinics *
radiology services
renal dialysis
clients admitted to country hospitals
inpatient rehabilitation services
Yarrow Place
* The treatment provider must must hold or be eligible for full membership rights with the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA).
Appointments with the following health professionals are ineligible for subsidy:
allied health professionals
general practitioners
nursing professionals
general dental practitioners
PATS is also unable to provide subsidies for people travelling for:
clinical trials or experimental treatments (other than phase IV trials)
appointments for a second opinion
surgery for cosmetic reasons
monitoring programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing from July 1 2026?
The accommodation subsidy is now $110 for a patient and $154 for a patient with approved escort. Patients and their eligible accommodation providers are eligible to receive the new subsidy.
A new cumulative travel subsidy is available for eligible patients who attend eligible specialist treatments. It’s to help patients receiving renal dialysis and oncology treatment only, who travel frequently each week.
Cumulative travel means travel occurring a minimum of 3 times per week inclusive of one-way distances between 50–100 kms. Eligible trips can be counted across a defined week (Monday to Sunday) to meet the weekly minimum for transport subsidies.
To qualify, patients must complete at least three 3 return trips in the defined week and meet the weekly cumulative threshold (e.g., 300 km/week), based on forward and return travel.
To claim accommodation, you must provide us with a tax invoice for your accommodation and list the approved accommodation nights on Part C of the claim form available here. If your accommodation costs less than the subsidy, we’ll pay you the lower amount. The subsidy is the maximum amount payable.
You can submit a claim through our online portal (select cumulative travel, or by using Form 4. Form 4 is available here or you can get a printed copy from one of our regional PATS offices and submit a claim in person.
Renal dialysis and oncology treatment only (for example dialysis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy).
Yes. If you are eligible for cumulative travel, you may also claim the accommodation subsidy for eligible overnight stays, subject to standard PATS rules, including evidence requirements such as a tax invoice .
Cumulative travel does not apply to other medical specialties or non-medical services, including allied health.
Distance is measured using the PATS distance calculator route for each patient’s residence to the treatment location within the 50–100 km one-way range. Weekly kilometres are calculated by multiplying the eligible route distance by the number of trips taken in the defined week, including forward and return travel.
The calculation week is Monday to Sunday and resets after each Sunday. Kilometres do not carry over to the next week.
If you attend more than one treatment location in a week, cumulative travel is assessed separately for each location and the calculation resets for each location.
Only renal dialysis and oncology treatment trips count toward cumulative travel. Other specialties do not count.
If your travel does not meet the cumulative travel criteria within the defined week, you are not able to claim the cumulative travel subsidy.
No. Cumulative travel only applies where the one-way distance is within the 50–100 km range. If you travel under 50 km one way, you are not eligible under cumulative travel. If you travel more than 100 km one way, you may be eligible under the standard PATS distance criteria (subject to the usual rules).
You can only claim for the actual travel undertaken and verified. If you attend fewer than 3 treatments in the defined week and do not meet the cumulative travel threshold for that week, you will not be eligible under the criteria for the cumulative travel subsidy.
Cumulative travel is assessed week by week. If your schedule changes, your eligibility will be assessed based on the eligible trips you complete within each defined week. A week with four visits may qualify even if the previous week with 2 visits did not, provided you meet the cumulative travel eligibility criteria for that week.
Yes. You may still be eligible to claim accommodation if your verified weekly treatment schedule meets the cumulative travel subsidy criteria. The travel subsidy may be limited to the forward journey at the start of the week and the return journey at the end of the week.
Accommodation is subject to approval by the treating specialist or PATS Authorised Officer.
You may be asked to provide our PATS Officers with your treatment type (renal or oncology), the number of visits in the defined week, the treatment location, and evidence of your attendance, in line with standard PATS eligibility criteria.
We’re here to help. Please call our PATS team on 1300 138 913 or email us at PATS@sa.gov.au if you are unsure whether your treatment or travel meets the cumulative travel criteria, or if you need assistance to understand what documents to provide.
PATS Questions
Applications can be made online - follow the link to Apply Online. If you haven’t used the online portal before, click the ‘sign up’ link and follow the prompts. An email will be sent to you to complete your registration.
Once you have registered, you can login and submit your claim.
To submit an online application, log in to your PATS account by visiting the PATS online portal and clicking on the PATS online portal link located under the “Apply online” menu.
You will need your Medicare Card and bank details to complete the online application.
Submitting your application online is the fastest way to submit your claim. Please complete all details, including bank account information, even if you have previously provided us with paper-based applications so that we can set you up for payment faster.
If you have submitted your application online, you can check the progress of your claim by logging in to the PATS online portal and clicking on the “My Claims” Tab at the top of the page.
If you have submitted a paper-based application, we may be unable to advise the progress of your claim as we receive a large number of claims via post and at drop boxes. If you require a short turnaround for reimbursement, please email us at pats@sa.gov.au or submit your forms in person at your local PATS office.
Advanced your claim has been paid in advanced and is awaiting the return of the completed and signed Part C of your PATS application form after attending your appointment.
Approved: when your claim has been assessed and approved for payment.
Cancelled Pre-approval: a claim which has been created by a third party provider for direct payment to them i.e. travel or accommodation needs, that is no longer required.
Closed: PATS has contacted you for more information but you have not provided the missing information within three months and your claim has since been closed.
Created: you have started a claim but it has not yet been submitted for assessment.
Declined: when your claim does not meet the eligibility criteria and is not eligible for payment.
Duplicate: when a claim has already been created within the same travel or appointment dates
Pending: when the assessor has reviewed your claim but it is missing information, the assessor will contact you to obtain further information.
Pre-approval: a claim which has been created by a third party provider for direct payment to them i.e. travel or accommodation needs.
Submitted: when your claim is in the queue awaiting assessment.
There are two options:
you can either register and login as yourself and lodge the claim on their behalf;
OR
you can register and login as your child.
There is no right or wrong way - it is entirely up to your preference.
Visit the Apply online page. Once on the login page you will see a ‘Forgot your password’ link – if you follow the link it will ask you for your user name (your user name is your PATS Client number followed by @pats.sa) – enter your user name (for example C1234@pats.sa) and a reset link will be sent to your email address. You may need to check in your junk folder as sometime the emails are redirected there.
If you are still having trouble you can call us on Ph: 1300 341 684 to reset your password for you.
When you lodge a claim online you have the opportunity to upload any supporting papers either by scanning and attaching or taking a photo and uploading these. You still need to upload Part B (if needed) and Part C for any travel or accommodation invoices ( fuel receipts are not required).
General
Your PATS client number will be located on your remittance advice.
You do not need a PATS client number for paper claims. Staff can search the system and match your details if you are already entered.
PATS will endeavour to provide a subsidy within four weeks of receiving a completed claim.
PATS is a state-wide program and our staff process applications for consumers living throughout rural regional South Australia. Our staff also provide a face to face service at any of our regional PATS offices. Office hours for PATS face to face services are between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm.
Please check at the bottom of this web page for Opening days, as these may vary between locations.You can also speak to a PATS officer during business hours by calling 1300 341 684 or by emailing pats@sa.gov.au
To enquire about the amount your received, you can email us at pats@sa.gov.au or call us on 1300 341 684 and the assessor will be able to advise what you have been paid for and discuss any concerns. If you are still not happy with the subsidy amount, you can put your concerns in writing and address it to any PATS office or pats@sa.gov.au ATT Manager and the Manager will review your claim and any additional information you provide and respond within 14 business days.
PATS staff don’t have access to medical records and are only able to provide assessment on the claim with the information that has been provided. Therefore if you have any additional information to support your claim – please include this when speaking to a PATS Assessor.
You may be eligible to receive a subsidy for air travel if you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the PATS Guidelines for Assessment under section 7.2.4. A specialist can authorise air travel as your mode of transport, if it is in line with the eligibility criteria.
Before you submit your application, please read the PATS Guidelines for Assessment for full details of the eligibility criteria.
Please note that PATS provides a subsidy if you are seen by the nearest treating specialist and you live more than 100 kilometres away. Before submitting an application please also ensure you check whether there is a new service closer to your home. You can do this by speaking with your General Practitioner or by calling PATS on 1300 341 684 or emailing us at pats@sa.gov.au
If you use a private car to travel to your appointments, you are not required to provide fuel receipts as our staff reimburse the distance from your home address to the actual treatment location at 33.6* cents per km. (appointments between 1/7/2024 and 30/6/2025 the subsidy is 32.8 cents per km, appointments on or before 30/6/2024 the subsidy is 32 cents per km) For more information, please read the PATS Guidelines for Assessment
If you require an urgent reimbursement on your claim, please contact our office either in person or via email with your claim and reason for requesting an urgent reimbursement. On many occasions, PATS can provide a reimbursement of a completed application with 24 business hours.
If you have been advised of an upcoming appointment within five business days and are a valid concession card holder, please call 1300 341 684 or attend your nearest PATS office to discuss an advance payment for your upcoming trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online portal
Applications can be made at online - follow the link to Apply Online. If you haven’t used the online portal before, click the ‘sign up’ link and follow the prompts. An email will be sent to you to complete your registration.
Once you have registered, you can login and submit your claim.
To submit an online application, log in to your PATS account by visiting the PATS online portal and clicking on the PATS online portal link located under the “Apply online” menu.
You will need your Medicare Card and bank details to complete the online application.
Submitting your application online is the fastest way to submit your claim as there are some Australia Post delays. Please complete all details, including bank account information, even if you have previously provided us with paper-based applications so that we can set you up for payment faster.
If you have submitted your application online, you can check the progress of your claim by logging in to the PATS online portal and clicking on the “My Claims” Tab at the top of the page.
If you have submitted a paper-based application, we may be unable to advise the progress of your claim as we receive a large number of claims via post and at drop boxes located across a number of regional hospitals.If you require a short turnaround for reimbursement, please email us at pats@sa.gov.au or submit your forms in person at your local PATS office.
Submitted: when your claim is in the queue awaiting assessment.
Declined: when your claim does not meet the eligibility criteria and is not eligible for payment.
Pending: when the assessor has reviewed your claim but it is missing information, the assessor will contact you to obtain further information.
Created: you have started a claim but it has not yet been submitted for assessment.
Pre-approval: a claim which has been created by a third party provider for direct payment to them i.e. travel or accommodation needs.
Closed: PATS has contacted you for more information but you have not provided the missing information within three months and your claim has since been closed.
There are two options:
you can either register and login as yourself and lodge the claim on his behalf;
OR
you can register and login as your son.
There is no right or wrong way - it is entirely up to your preference.
Visit the PATS login page and click on the “Forgot your password’ link – if you follow the link it will ask you for your user name – (your username is your PATS Client number followed by @pat.sa) enter C1234@pats.sa and a reset link will be sent to your email address. You may need to check your junk folder as sometime the emails are redirected there.
If you are still having issues logging in, please call us on 1300 341 684.
When you lodge a claim online you have the opportunity to upload any supporting papers either by scanning and attaching or taking a photo and uploading these. If you are lodging your claim online – there is no need to upload a section three as you have already provided this information in your electronic lodgement. You do still need to upload a section one (if required) section two form and any travel or accommodation invoices (excluding fuel receipts).
General
Your PATS client number will be located on your remittance advice.
You do not need a PATS client number for paper claims. Staff can search the system and match your details if you are already entered.
PATS will endeavour to provide a reimbursement within four weeks of receiving a completed claim. More often, a claim will be assessed within two weeks of being received.
During December and January, due to staff leave and an increase in claims being received your claim may take longer to process.
PATS is a state-wide program and our staff process applications for consumers living throughout rural regional South Australia. Our staff also provide a face to face service at any of our regional PATS offices. Office hours for PATS face to face services are between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm.
You can also speak to a PATS officer during business hours by calling 1300 341 684 or by emailing pats@sa.gov.au
To enquire about the amount your received, you can email us at pats@sa.gov.au or call us on 1300 341 684 and the assessor will be able to advise what you have been paid for and discuss any concerns. If you are still not happy with the subsidy amount, you can put your concerns in writing and address it to any PATS office or pats@sa.gov.au ATT Manager and the Manager will review your claim and any additional information you provide and respond within 14 business days.
PATS staff don’t have access to medical records and are only able to provide assessment on the claim with the information that has been provided. Therefore if you have any additional information to support your claim – please include this when speaking to a PATS Assessor.
You may be eligible to receive a subsidy for air travel if you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the PATS Guidelines for Assessment under section 7.2.4. A specialist can authorise air travel as your mode of transport, if it is in line with the eligibility criteria.
Before you submit your application, please read the PATS Guidelines for Assessment for full details of the eligibility criteria.
Please note that PATS provides a subsidy if you are seen by the nearest treating specialist and you live more than 100 kilometres away. Before submitting an application please you also ensure you check whether there is a new service closer to your home. You can do this by speaking with your General Practitioner or by calling PATS on 1300 341 684 or emailing us at pats@sa.gov.au
If you use a private car to travel to your appointments, you are not required to provide fuel receipts as our staff reimburse the distance from your home address to the actual treatment location at 32.8* cents per km. (appointments before 1/7/2024 the subsidy is 32 cents per km) For more information, please read the PATS Guidelines for Assessment
If you require an urgent reimbursement on your claim, please contact our office either in person or via email with your claim and reason for requesting an urgent reimbursement. On many occasions, PATS can provide a reimbursement of a completed application with 24 business hours.
If you have been advised of an upcoming appointment within five business days and are a valid concession card holder, please call 1300 341 684 or attend your nearest PATS office to discuss an advance payment for your upcoming trip.
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."
