Frequently asked questions

To be eligible for financial assistance from IPTAAS, you must:

• be a resident of NSW or Lord Howe Island
• be enrolled with Medicare
• not be receiving, or eligible for, financial assistance for travel and accommodation from third party insurance or other Australian government services
• receive treatment at the nearest approved health service
• travel from your residence for treatment at least 100km (one way), or at least 200kms in a week by making multiple trips to and from treatment.

You can claim a financial subsidy towards the following if you are eligible:

• private vehicle travel
• public transport (trains, buses and ferries)
• taxis
• air travel (in special circumstances)
• accommodation (both with family and friends and in not-for-profit and commercial accommodation)

An escort is eligible for assistance when they accompany a patient during travel and/or stays with a patient and provides support during their treatment. An escort is also eligible for assistance from IPTAAS when:

• an escort travels separate to the patient because the patient is travelling by emergency transport
• an escort travels separate to the patient, and the patient is a child
• the patient passed away during treatment and the escort is making the return trip.

There are two ways you can apply to make a claim:

1. Online
2. Complete the paper application forms and submit them in person via your closest IPTAAS office, or send them in by email, post or fax.

You should submit your application after completing your treatment. However, in certain cases, travel and accommodation assistance may be available to you before treatment concludes. Contact our team on 1800 478 227 and speak with one of our friendly staff members for further information.

Applications must be submitted within 12 months of your hospitalisation discharge or appointment end date. You will not receive financial assistance for travel and accommodation outside 12 months even if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Information about how to apply online is available from the Online Application Support page.

To submit a paper application you will need to download the IPTAAS application form. For easy use our claim forms have separate sections know as parts.

IPTAAS forms

• Form 1 Travel and Accommodation Claims
• Form 2 Additional Travel and Accommodation
• Form 3 Application to bulk bill accommodation
• Form 4 Application for advance travel assistance
• Form 6 Application for travel and accommodation assistance for donors

For multiple trips to the same practitioner or health service complete Additional Travel and Accommodation form.

Advanced payments:

• Before you travel complete and submit Application for advance travel assistance to your local IPTAAS office

When you return home complete and submit Additional Travel and Accommodation form.

If you are blind or visually impaired the IPTAAS team can assist you to make a claim over the phone. Contact your local IPTAAS office on 1800 478 227 and speak to the team about your individual situation.

The time it takes to assess an application varies but payment should be made within 21 days for paper claims and 7 days for online claims from the date we receive your application. This is also subject to the correct information and necessary documentation being received by IPTAAS.

However, if we need to follow up information your payment may be delayed.

Making an online claim is the fastest way to receive your payment.

The Additional Travel and Accommodation form is used to record multiple return trips to the same practitioner or health service specialist on a single form. A supplement form will help you keep track of your travel and accommodation records for each trip.

You can use a supplement form once you have submitted your first application.

IPTAAS requires you to complete and share the details of your health professional who made the referral for you to visit the nearest eligible medical practitioner or health service.

New financial assistance rates and expanded eligibility now apply for travel and accommodation appointments and treatment after 1 August 2022.

Accommodation assistance will be paid at a rate of:

• $40 per night if you are staying with family or friends (Airbnb will be paid at this rate)
• $75 per night if you are staying in not-for-profit or commercial accommodation for the first seven nights and $120 per night from day eight onwards.

The private vehicle subsidy rate increases to 40c per kilometre.

Patients attending high-risk foot clinics, non-commercial clinical trials, highly specialised publicly funded oral health clinics in NSW and ocularists are now eligible to claim.

Financial assistance remains the same for:

• the full cost (including booking fees) of public transport is reimbursed less the GST
• the full economy cost less GST is reimbursed for approved air travel.
• taxi subsidy that is based on length of appointments/treatment.

For-profit accommodation providers do not have charitable status.

Not-for-profit accommodation is provided by organisations that are registered as a charity or government entity in the Australian Business Register, which can be searched using either the accommodation provider's name or ABN.

Short term rentals listed on accommodation hosting sites such as Airbnb are considered private accommodation, subsidy rate of $40 per night will apply. If the accommodation facility (not the hosting site) has an active ABN, the accommodation may be considered for-profit accommodation. Evidence that the accommodation has an active ABN is required. Evidence must be an itemised invoice from the accommodation facility.

Upon arrival at the accommodation facility, ask them to help you complete Application to bulk bill accommodation including their declaration on page 3 and send this to your local IPTAAS office for approval.

At the end of your stay, you will need to complete and submit Additional travel and accommodation form.

IPTAAS will provide financial assistance to eligible patients for air travel.

Before you fly, you must ask your referring medical professional, medical practitioner or health service to get an air approval code. Your referring medical professional, medical practitioner, health service or their authorised representative can get this code by contacting the local IPTAAS office and confirming the reason you are not able to travel by other modes.

Eligible patients who fail to get an air approval code from IPTAAS may receive reimbursements at a lower rate.

You can find the list of approved reasons for air travel here.

Yes. The cost of booking fees received when travelling by public transport or air are subsidised.

This is in addition to the subsidised travel cost less the GST. GST will remain unable to be subsidised.

If you call the toll free 1800-IPTAAS (1800 478 227) number, you will be given an option of calling your local office.

Our IPTAAS office options have recently changed, please read carefully and choose from the following 5 options:

• Select Option 1 for the Hunter New England office
• Select Option 2 for the Dubbo office
• Select Option 3 for the Broken Hill office
• Select Option 4 for all other areas
• Select Option 5 for online claim support

Alternatively, you can contact your local office in person, or writing, via:

Hunter New England – Tamworth

Visit us: Look for the IPTAAS signs at Tamworth Hospital, Dean Street, North Tamworth

Fax: (02) 4924 5767
Email: HNELHD-IPTAAS@health.nsw.gov.au
Post: IPTAAS Coordinator - Locked Bag 9783, Tamworth NEMSC NSW 2348

Western NSW – Dubbo

Appointment only counter services. Contact Dubbo office to schedule in a visit.

For all mail or email enquiries and applications please direct via –

Fax: (02) 8797 6543
Email: IPTAAS@health.nsw.gov.au
Post: IPTAAS Coordinator - Locked Bag 3005, Sydney Markets NSW 2129

Far West – Broken Hill

Visit us: Look for the IPTAAS signs at Broken Hill Health Service, Thomas Street, Broken Hill

Fax: (08) 8080 1695
Email: FWLHD-IPTAAS@health.nsw.gov.au
Post: IPTAAS Coordinator - Broken Hill Health Service - PO Box 457, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Northern NSW, Mid North Coast – Port Macquarie

Visit us: Look for the IPTAAS signs at Port Macquarie Community Health, Morton Street, Port Macquarie

Fax: (02) 8797 6543
Email: IPTAAS@health.nsw.gov.au
Post: IPTAAS Coordinator - Locked Bag 3005, Sydney Markets NSW 2129

For all other areas

Phone: 1800 IPTAAS (1800 478 227) to speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives

Fax: (02) 8797 6543
Email: IPTAAS@health.nsw.gov.au
Post: IPTAAS Coordinator - Locked Bag 3005, Sydney Markets NSW 2129