Doubling the PATS subsidy

Doubling the
PATS subsidy

We will double the PATS subsidy, making it easier and more affordable for regional South Australians to access the healthcare they need.

What we'll do

A re-elected Marshall Liberal Government will double the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) subsidy for people living in regional areas who have to travel long distances for specialist medical services.

Currently PATS provides a 16-cent subsidy for every kilometre travelled. If re-elected we will increase this to 32 cents per kilometre. This will be the first increase to the travel subsidy rate in more than 20 years with the previous Labor government never increasing it in 16 years.

This increase to the PATS subsidy is in addition to the other changes the Marshall Liberal Government has delivered to make PATS more flexible and accessible to country South Australians. These changes include:

  • Removing the requirement for patients to travel directly to and from their appointment; with patients now able to combine a medical appointment with other personal matters
  • Making it possible for terminally ill patients to still receive a PATS subsidy;
  • Changing the way travel is calculated so people are compensated for every kilometre of their journey;
  • Introducing an additional subsidy for patients who need to travel more than 100 km to reach a regional airport.

The Marshall Government wants to ensure all South Australians can access the best healthcare, closer to home no matter where they live and these improvements to PATS are in addition to our investment in country doctors, country cancer services, regional hospitals and more.

What it means for you

  • If you need to travel to Adelaide to access healthcare there is more financial assistance to help you do so
  • Access to financial assistance is now more flexible and accessible
  • Healthcare in the regions is being future proofed for growing and ageing populations

Policy snapshot

  • We will double the PATS subsidy from 16 centres per kilometre travelled to 32 cents per kilometre.
  • This is the first increase in 20 years – with the previous Labor Government never increasing it in 16 years.
  • We have already implemented other changes to make PATS more flexible and accessible.
  • This is just one part of how we’re delivering better healthcare, closer to home for regional South Australians.
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We will double the PATS subsidy, making it easier and more affordable for regional South Australians to access the healthcare they need.

We will double the PATS subsidy, making it easier and more affordable for regional South Australians to access the healthcare they need.