The patient's approved mode of transport for the travel subsidy is determined by the most clinically appropriate and cost-effective mode of transport available. Modes of transport can include private motor vehicle (driving), bus, train, ferry or airplane.  In some cases, the approved mode of transport may be different for the forward and return journeys.

Hospital or health facilities will consider the individual circumstances of the patient when determining the approved mode of transport for the travel subsidy.

The mode of transport is approved by the local public hospital or health facility in line with the PTSS Guideline.

Subsidy amounts

Travel subsidies are calculated using the rates below:

If the patient is required to travel more than 50 kilometres from the closest public hospital or health facility to reach the transport terminal, they are eligible for assistance for that leg of the journey.

If the local hospital or health facility books travel on behalf of the patient, the patient will not receive a travel payment as the cost of travel has been paid by the facility.

What is not covered?

• Any additional costs resulting from a patient choosing to travel using a mode of transport different from what was approved.
• Any GST paid by a patient when booking their own travel.
• The cost of travelling to and from transport terminals when the distance is fewer than 50km from the closest public hospital or health facility.
• The cost of travelling to and from medical appointments or accommodation. It also does not cover parking costs.
• An additional travel subsidy for an escort when travelling by private motor vehicle with the patient.

Booking your travel

The local hospital or health facility will either book travel for the patient or provide information to assist them.

Alternatively, patients can book their own travel and submit tax invoices with their signed appointment attendance form to claim their approved subsidy. Patients are not required to provide receipts for private motor vehicle travel.

Travelling by car:

Patients travelling by car might like to consider:

• if their accommodation has parking available,
• any on-street parking restrictions that might be in place on the street around their specialist or accommodation,
• the cost of car parking at the specialist and their accommodation,
• allowing sufficient time to drive to their appointment—traffic and wayfinding can sometimes be difficult in an unfamiliar city or town,
• printing a map of the town or city they are going to so they can find their way around.

Travelling by bus, ferry or rail:

Patients booking their own bus, ferry or rail ticket will need to provide a copy of their tax invoice to claim their approved subsidy.

Patients travelling by bus, ferry or rail might like to consider:

• how they will get to and from the station—the PTSS subsidy does not cover the costs for getting to and from transport terminals when the distance is fewer than 50km from the patient's closest public hospital or health facility,
• checking accessibility at the station if required,
• arriving early to ensure they are at the station on-time,
• if there are any restrictions or costs for leaving a car at the station,
• printing a map of the town or city they are going to so they can find their way around.

Travelling by air:

Patients booking their own airfare will need to provide a copy of their tax invoice to claim their approved subsidy payment.

Patients travelling by air might like to consider:

• how they will get to and from the two airports—the PTSS subsidy does not cover costs for getting to and from the airports when the distance is fewer than 50km from the patient's closest public hospital or health facility,
• advising the airline of any special needs or conditions, prior to their flight including if they:
  • are travelling with a wheelchair and require wheelchair access,
  • need assistance boarding and disembarking the plane,
  • require a medical clearance,
  • are flying with medical aids or medicine/s,
  • are travelling with oxygen,
  • are travelling with an escort and would like to be seated with each other.
• arriving at the airport in sufficient time to allow for check-in and security,
• printing a map of the town or city they are going to so they can find their way around,
• booking transport to and from the airport—sometimes it's cheaper to pre-book the taxi, Uber or airtrain.

The PTSS accommodation subsidy provides financial support for accommodation costs for as long as the patient is medically required to be away from home. Patients who need to relocate for treatment are still eligible for PTSS and should speak with their local hospital or health facility about long-term accommodation options.

Where a return journey cannot reasonably be completed in one day, for example, driving for longer than eight hours or for more than 600kms, where the patient has an early or late appointment time they may also be eligible for the accommodation subsidy.

The accommodation subsidy is available if patients chose to stay in paid commercial accommodation or with family or friends.

Any time the patient stays in hospital as an in-patient is not included in the patient’s accommodation subsidy. Approved escorts may still be eligible for their accommodation subsidy during that time.

Subsidy amounts

Accommodation subsidy payments are calculated using the amounts below:

What is not covered?

If patients book their own commercial accommodation any GST they pay cannot be claimed.

If the local hospital or health facility books accommodation on behalf of the patient, the patient will not receive a payment as the accommodation costs have been paid by the facility.  If accommodation costs are more than the approved subsidy amount, patients are required to pay the additional costs.

Commercial accommodation

The local hospital or health facility will either book accommodation for the patient or provide information to assist them.

Alternatively, patients can book their own accommodation and submit their tax invoices to claim their approved subsidy payment.

Patients booking their own accommodation need to submit their tax invoices with their signed specialist certification form.

Patients staying in commercial accommodation might like to consider:

• if they will need to pay any additional costs for accommodation—as they will only receive payment for the approved amount,
• any time they might spend as an in-patient, as they will not receive an accommodation subsidy during this time,
• their accessibility requirements, for example, wheelchair access or disabled parking,
• the location of their accommodation in relation to their specialist,
• how they will get to and from their accommodation when they arrive and leave,
• how they will get to and from their appointment,
• if car parking is available and how much it costs, if they are driving,
• booking ahead and checking to see if there are any major events happening in the town or city that might limit accommodation options.

Private accommodation

Patients may be eligible for the PTSS private accommodation subsidy payment if they stay with family or friends.

Patients staying in private accommodation might like to consider:

• the location of their accommodation in relation to their appointment,
• how they will get to and from their accommodation when they arrive and leave,
• how they will get to and from their appointment,
• if  friends or family can help get them to and from their transport or appointment,
• if the accommodation is suitable for their needs, including post treatment, for example, is it accessible and suitable for recovery.

Patients eligible for PTSS can apply for an escort to travel with them.

An escort is someone who accompanies the patient when travelling to access specialist medical treatment. This can be to assist them in their treatment, as an active carer or if the patient is impaired. An escort must be 18 years or older.

Patients should discuss their need for an escort with their referring clinician and the staff at their local travel office when they submit their application.

If the patient's clinician makes a recommendation for an escort, the local hospital or health facility will assess the request based on the eligibility criteria in the PTSS Guideline and the information the patient provided in their application.

Escorts are approved by the local hospital or health facility in line with the PTSS Guideline.

Patients are eligible for an escort if they:

• Are a minor (under 18 years of age) or a dependent child.
• Have a legal guardian who is required to make decisions regarding their healthcare.
• Need assistance, for example, they require oxygen or sedation, are frail or elderly.
• Have a life-threatening condition and/or need life-saving treatment.
• Need someone to assist them with their treatment or rehabilitation, for example, they are undergoing major surgery, an organ transplant or renal dialysis and need a family member to help them at home.
• Have a physical or cognitive impairment (e.g. brain injury or dementia), visual impairment, mental illness or where their mobility is impaired.

Unless otherwise approved, escorts are required to travel with the patient to be eligible for a subsidy. Only one travel subsidy is paid for private motor vehicle when a patient and escort travel together.

Travel and accommodation subsidies for approved escorts will be determined based on the PTSS eligibility criteria.

From 1 July 2023, the Queensland Government will fund costs associated to the repatriation of deceased eligible Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) patients.

The repatriation of deceased patients policy guides and supports Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) with decision-making in the repatriation of eligible patients, whilst on PTSS related travel, to their Queensland place of residence or their Queensland Traditional Homelands or their Queensland First Nations Country. The policy works with and accompanies the PTSS guidelines. An eligibility guide and a series of frequently asked questions have been developed to support HHSs in administering this policy.

Decisions made by HHSs on the repatriation of deceased PTSS patients are done so in the best interest of the deceased patient and their family needs, as relevant for each Queensland community.

Starting from 1 August 2024, the first four night rule is not part of the PTSS.

Eligible patients and escorts no longer need to pay for the first four nights of accommodation each financial year.

The subsidy now covers eligible accommodation from the first night. Standard subsidy rates for travel and accommodation still apply.

For more advice, please talk to your local PTSS Office.