People living in regional and rural South Australia will get more money to cover fuel costs as they travel for medical appointments.
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The Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) fuel subsidy has gone up from 16c/km to 32c/km for eligible medical appointments. It took effect on January 1, 2023.
The scheme gives financial assistance towards transport and accommodation costs for people who need to travel more than 100km each way to attend planned specialist healthcare services that are not available locally. In 2022, more than 13,000 South Australians received financial support through the subsidy.
The subsidy is also available for people approved to take patients to appointments, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people travelling to specialist appointments may be eligible to receive additional support.
People living in remote areas are encouraged to check their eligibility and apply for subsidies by submitting a claim on the PATS website. Paper forms are also available online or at GP clinics. The scheme also has five offices in regional SA hospitals including Mount Gambier, Berri, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln.
For more information visit www.pats.sa.gov.au.
