Miles Doing What Matters: Cost-of-living relief to support Queenslanders traveling to access healthcare

• The Miles Government is removing the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme’s four-night rule, saving Queenslanders travelling to access healthcare hundreds of dollars
• The change follows a review Minister Fentiman called into the scheme last year, to ensure it was correctly meeting the needs of Queenslanders
• This new cost-saving initiative highlights the Miles Government’s commitment to removing barriers for Queenslanders accessing healthcare, no matter where they live.

The Miles Government is making it easier for Queenslanders living in regional, rural, and remote communities to access healthcare by expanding the support available under the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS).

From 1 August 2024, Queenslanders travelling to access healthcare under the PTSS won’t have to pay for accommodation, in full, thanks to the removal of the four-night rule.

The good news comes after Minister Fentiman called an administrative review into the scheme last year, to ensure Queenslanders were able to access the healthcare they needed, no matter where they live.

Currently, people pay out-of-pocket for their first four nights of accommodation each financial year, unless they can access an exemption.

Queensland is a large and decentralised state, which means some people need to travel to access complex treatment, such as cardiology or oncology services, to ensure that they have the best chance of recovering and can receive the best possible quality of care.

The PTSS provides financial support to subsidise the costs of accommodation and transport for more than 95,000 Queenslanders each year.

The removal of the four-night rule comes after the Queensland Government provided an additional $70.3 million over four years to increase the existing PTSS concession rates for accommodation and travel costs. 

For more information visit: The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles: 

“No one should have to worry about paying for accommodation, when they’re forced to travel to receive healthcare.

“Removing this rule is going to potentially put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of unwell Queenslanders and that matters to me.

“Queensland has world-class healthcare and I don’t want there to be any barriers for people who need to access it.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Cameron Dick: 

“I know from my time as Health Minister that additional stress can have a real impact on someone’s ability to recover from an illness or serious injury, which is why this measure is potentially lifesaving.”

“Removing this rule will mean Queenslanders from regional, rural and remote communities won’t have to pay for accommodation under the Patient Traven Subsidy Scheme.

“This means they will save hundreds of dollars at a time when they are away from work, their families and their community.

“The Miles Labor Government is determined to do what matters for all Queenslanders by tackling the cost of living pressures where it matters most.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman:

“This is a huge cost-of-living relief win for our regional, rural, and remote communities.

“We that Queenslanders are struggling right now, and many have told us that the four-night rule is no longer affordable.

“Travelling long distances away from pets and loved ones to access healthcare can be stressful enough without the added financial pressure.

“That’s why I ordered an administrative review of our PTSS, to ensure we can make it as easy as possible for Queenslanders to get the care they need and deserve.

“I would also like to acknowledge government members from rural and regional areas who have advocated on behalf of their communities.

“We have listened, and we are acting.

“I’m so proud of this change and of our government’s record in breaking down barriers to healthcare for Queenslanders, no matter where they live.”

ENDS