SA Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)

What Is This Payment?

South Australians in rural and remote areas often have to travel long distances for specialist care that is not available locally. PATS exists to ease the cost of that travel and any accommodation needed near the treatment.

The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. It does not pay an open cash benefit; it confirms whether you qualify and reimburses approved travel and accommodation against your trip.

To qualify you must be a permanent SA resident, registered with Medicare, and need to travel 100 km or more one way to the nearest service. A specialist referral is required, and you must first use any private insurance or other subsidies you can access.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. PATS provides no open cash payment; the value is the reimbursement of approved travel and accommodation costs claimed against each trip.

• Transport subsidy, which can include flights approved by the specialist where appropriate.
• Accommodation subsidy for nights you must stay near the treatment.
• Approved escort travel and accommodation can also be subsidised.

Eligibility Conditions

The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.

1. South Australian resident: state = SA. You must be a permanent SA resident registered with Medicare.
2. Needs distant specialist travel: needs_distant_specialist_treatment_travel = true. You must travel 100 km or more one way because no closer service exists.

Beyond the rule's conditions, PATS requires a specialist referral and travel receipts, and you must first use any private health insurance or other subsidies available to you before claiming.

Because claims are made against specific trips, the product surfaces PATS to SA residents who indicate they must travel a long way for specialist care, and points them to apply online and keep their receipts.

How To Apply

The channel is online, with a specialist referral and travel receipts required as evidence.

• Obtain a specialist referral confirming the treatment and the lack of a closer service.
• Apply online through PATS and keep your travel and accommodation receipts.
• Claim against each trip; an approved escort's costs can be included where applicable.

Read the official SA Patient Assistance Transport Scheme guidance

Rule-Based Scenarios

Scenario 1: rural patient to Adelaide

Wendy lives 300 km from Adelaide and must see a specialist there. PATS subsidises her transport and a night's accommodation for the appointment.

Scenario 2: approved escort

Tama needs a carer to travel with him for treatment; the approved escort's travel and accommodation are also subsidised under PATS.

Scenario 3: flight approved by specialist

Bianca's specialist approves air travel for her condition; the flight cost can be included in her PATS claim.

Scenario 4: service available locally

Noah's treatment is available within his town; because PATS requires travel of 100 km or more to the nearest service, he does not qualify.

Common Mistakes

• Expecting an open cash payment: PATS reimburses approved travel and accommodation against each trip, not an open benefit.
• Forgetting the distance rule: you must travel 100 km or more one way because no closer service exists.
• Not getting a referral: a specialist referral is required to claim.
• Losing receipts: keep travel and accommodation receipts to support your claim.
• Not using insurance first: you must first use any private insurance or other subsidies you can access.
• Assuming escorts are never covered: an approved escort's costs can be subsidised when needed.

Related Benefits

• SA Hospital Parking Fee Exemption - waived metropolitan hospital parking for frequent patients and carers.
• SA Home Oxygen Concession - an electricity running-cost rebate for home oxygen users.
• SA Public Dental - subsidised dental care for eligible residents.
• SA Public Transport Concession - reduced fares for eligible concession holders.
• Health Care Card - federal card unlocking concessions on essential costs.
• Remote Area Allowance - federal supplement for people living in remote areas.

Frequently Asked Questions