Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS)

The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) provides financial assistance to eligible Victorians who need to travel long distances for specialist medical or specialist dental treatment. VPTAS subsidises travel and accommodation costs. It is not intended to reimburse all costs.

VPTAS 2026 updates

The VPTAS has been updated to make it easier for rural and regional Victorians to access and claim support via the scheme. Key changes include updated and easy to read guidelines and a new online submission portal for faster processing and tracking of submitted claims. For those who are unable to use the portal there are also updated application forms.

Eligibility criteria

Users of the VPTAS must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• an Australian citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• a Victorian resident at the time of referral and treatment
• travel to the closest eligible approved specialist medical or dental specialist service
• travel either 100 km one way or 500 km within 7 days for the specialist service (rural and regional zone patients only)
• travel interstate for services not available in Victoria (all Victorian residents, including metropolitan zones)
• lodge a claim with VPTAS within 12 months of the specialist appointment/treatment

For additional information regarding eligibility criteria, approved specialists/treatments and rural and regional zones refer to the VPTAS guidelines.

The VPTAS has expanded access and now includes specialist treatment provided for non-commercial clinical trials and in-hospital specialist dental treatment.

The VPTAS has also refreshed the criteria for accessing flights and taxis.

Who can submit a VPTAS claim?

• the patient themselves, or
• a parent or guardian of a child or dependent, or
• a person who holds power of attorney or legal guardianship for an adult

If applying on behalf of another person, you must confirm your relationship to the patient and may be asked to provide evidence of your legal relationship.

Subsidies

Travel

• Private car: 21 cents per kilometre
• Community Transport: Fuel subsidy or the rate charged
• Public transport: economy fares reimbursed
• Flights: refreshed criteria — see the VPTAS guidelines for details
• Taxi travel: refreshed criteria — see the VPTAS guidelines for details

Accommodation

Accommodation assistance may be available for eligible commercial accommodation. Claims are generally limited to a maximum of 2 people, being the patient and 1 escort. If the patient is a child, claims may be made for a maximum of 3 people, being the child and 2 escorts, where approved.

• Commercial accommodation: up to $45.00 per night ($49.50 including GST) per person
• Treating specialist confirmation of the number of nights of accommodation is required

Travel and accommodation receipts/invoices

• Receipts/invoices are not required for travel via private car and Public Transport Victoria (PTV).
• All other subsidies require a receipt or invoice

For additional information regarding receipts/invoices required refer to the VPTAS guidelines.

Support persons

Support persons (previously referred to as escorts) help the patient when travelling to and from treatment.

A support person must:

• be an adult, a parent/guardian or a carer
• travel with the patient to and from your specialist service
• be able to assist the patient when travelling and be responsible for the patient’s transport and accommodation needs during treatment.

A support person may also be eligible for travel and accommodation subsidy support. Treating specialist confirmation of the need for a support person is required for patients over 18 years of age.

For additional information regarding support persons refer to the VPTAS guidelines.

How to apply

Applying online through myGov using the Victorian Concessions and Allowances service is the quickest way to submit a claim. It also allows you to track the progress of your claim online.

Do not resubmit an existing claim. If you have already submitted a VPTAS claim by email or post and it has not yet been processed, do not submit the same claim again through the online portal. If you are unsure, contact the VPTAS office first.

Claim updates and outcomes will now be sent by email. If your claim is approved, you may receive a remittance advice and a payment summary as two separate emails. These may arrive at different times.

Applying online (preferred)

The easiest way to apply is online through the Victorian Concessions and Allowances service on myGov.

Before you start, have ready:

• a myGov account
• Specialist treatment details and confirmation of treatment requirements completed via the separate specialist confirmation form. Forms are available at the bottom of this section
• details of your travel and accommodation expenses, including any receipts
• your bank account details
• your concession card details, if applicable

To apply online:

1. Sign in to your myGov account.
2. Link the Victorian Concessions and Allowances service if not already connected
3. Access the Victorian Concessions and Allowances service.
4. Complete the online claim.
5. Upload your supporting documents including your specialist confirmation form
6. Review and submit your claim.

After submitting your claim, you can track its progress through the Victorians Concessions and Allowances service in myGov. If your claim is approved, payment will be made to the bank account provided in your application.

Applying using the application form

• The new application form is available
• Application forms can be completed either electronically (form is fully editable online with electronic signature capability) or downloaded from the website, completed and scanned for attaching to the email.

• Claims can be emailed with receipts/invoices attached for claim processing to VPTAS@health.vic.gov.au
• Alternatively, the claim form can be printed and completed with receipts/invoices mailed to: VPTAS, GPO Box 4057, Melbourne Vic 3001

Claims must be submitted within 12 months of attending an approved specialist service.

For patients accessing flights an additional Flight Confirmation Form is required to be completed by the treating specialist or referring general practitioner.

Access to printed forms

Printed forms are available for people who do not wish to apply online and who are unable to complete the form online or print a form from the website.

Printed forms are available by contacting the VPTAS office on 1300 737 073 or request via email vptas@health.vic.gov.au

For healthcare professionals

Approved medical and dental specialist (or their authorised officer) play a key role in supporting VPTAS claims. Specialist confirmation is required as part of a patient's application, including attendance dates, need for accommodation and need for support persons (for patients over the age of 18).

This information can be provided on the application form for email or mail submissions or via the separate Specialist Confirmation Form for patients applying online. These details cannot be confirmed by a General Practitioner.

For patients accessing flights, an additional Flight Confirmation Form is also required and can be completed either by the specialist or referring general practitioner.

For third-party organisations

Third party organisations should continue to utilise the application forms and email/mail submission options. Contact the VPTAS office for information about the process for third-party providers.

Complaints and appeals

Patients or their legal guardians who are not satisfied with the outcome of their VPTAS claim, can request an appeal of the claim or make a complaint.

For additional information regarding requesting an appeal or providing feedback refer to the VPTAS guidelines.