Regional Patients Get Immediate Travel Subsidy Boost
The Cook Labor Government is delivering the largest-ever expansion to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), helping more regional Western Australians to access the medical care they need.
The PATS fuel subsidy has increased from 26 cents to 40 cents per kilometre – a 54 per cent boost – through an $18.5 million investment in the 2025-26 State Budget.
Future enhancements include $15.5 million to expand eligibility criteria, ensuring more patients qualify for support when travelling for specialised treatment.
PATS currently supports more than 35,000 regional Western Australians each year by subsidising travel and accommodation costs for medical appointments.
This investment aims to ease cost-of-living pressures on families already facing the emotional and logistical challenges of seeking care away from home.
For more information about PATS, visit: Patient Assisted Travel Scheme .
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“This is an important investment for regional families who rely on PATS to access essential medical care.
“We know it will relieve some of the stress that can come from leaving a local community to receive specialist care.
“Whether it’s subsidising fuel and accommodation or expanding the health treatments that will attract the payments, the Cook Labor Government is making sure PATS is providing relief for the people who need it most.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Immediate-subsidy-boost-for-regional-patients-travelling-for-care-20250706