Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS)

Page contents: Overview | Koori VPTAS pilot | Download documents

Overview

The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) aims to improve accessibility of specialist medical and oral health services for rural Victorian residents by reducing the financial disadvantage of patients living in rural areas who require specialist services.

VPTAS provides partial reimbursement to assist with travel and accommodation costs incurred by rural patients and if appropriate, their escorts, when travelling long distances or staying away from home to receive specialist medical treatment.

The VPTAS policy sets out the eligibility criteria, reimbursement rates and conditions under which the scheme operates. The Department of Human Services (the Department) reserves the discretionary power to amend the VPTAS eligibility criteria and policy as necessary.

It is acknowledged that it is not possible to cover all scenarios under the VPTAS policy. Therefore it is recommended that patients or practitioners who have specific questions regarding VPTAS contact the nearest Rural Regional Office for further information.

Koori VPTAS pilot

In recognition of the low uptake of VPTAS among Koori patients and the disproportionate health inequalities experienced by Indigenous Australians, the Department is piloting a modified version of VPTAS to suit the particular needs of the Koori community.

The four hospitals currently participating in this pilot program are:

• Royal Children’s Hospital
• St Vincent’s Hospital
• Monash Medical Centre
• Mercy Hospital for Women

Koori patients that travel more than 100 kilometres to receive specialist medical treatment at one of the above hospitals may be eligible for travel and accommodation assistance via this pilot scheme.

Applicant enquiries can be directed to Koori Hospital Liaison Officers or Social Workers at the participating hospitals.

Further information about this initiative is also available from the Department’s Rural and Regional Health Services Branch on (61 3) 9096 2005.

Download documents

Revised VPTAS policy, October 2007

Note, the VPTAS policy guidelines have been revised to reflect the following changes:

• Increased travel and accommodation subsidies effective 1 October 2007; from 14 to 17 cents per kilometre for private car travel and $30 to $35 per night for accommodation.
• Revised contact details for the Grampians and Loddon Mallee regional VPTAS offices, effective 3 September 2007.

Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme Policy Document, October 2007 (117kb, pdf)

Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme Claim Form (99kb, pdf)

Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme Travel and Accomodation Diary (55kb, pdf)

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