Media release: North Coast pilot makes health travel easier for Aboriginal patients
Aboriginal patients across the North Coast are benefiting from a simpler, faster process for accessing travel and accommodation subsidies for medical appointments, with the launch of the North Coast Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme/Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations Pilot.
Aboriginal patients across the North Coast are benefiting from a simpler, faster process for accessing travel and accommodation subsidies for medical appointments, with the launch of the North Coast Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)/Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) Pilot.
The pilot builds on the NSW Government’s existing IPTAAS program, with a key difference: funding is held and managed by participating ACCHOs, rather than being administered centrally by NSW Health in Sydney.
This locally managed approach is designed to make reimbursement quicker and easier for eligible patients, helping reduce the financial and administrative pressures associated with travelling to access health care.
For people living in regional and remote communities, accessing specialist medical care can involve significant travel, accommodation costs and time away from family, work and other responsibilities. The pilot aims to reduce some of these barriers by making the process of receiving travel assistance more straightforward.
Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation manages the funding on behalf of all ACCHOs in the North Coast region – Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service, Galambila Aboriginal Health Service, Werin Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre, Rekindling the Spirit, and Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service.
Scott Monaghan, CEO of Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, said:
“Travelling for medical care puts a lot of pressure on individuals and families. Making reimbursements quicker and simpler can make a real difference, particularly for people who need to travel regularly for treatment.
“Having local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations manage this funding means we can respond quickly to the needs of our communities and make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for our patients.”
Since launching in early 2026, the pilot has seen 330+ applications for transport subsidies, with the average subsidy being around $257. The total value of claims to date is over $85,000.
Subsidies are available for private vehicle travel, public transport, taxis, accommodation and, in special circumstances, air travel.
Common medical specialties accessed as part of the pilot include cardiology, diagnostic radiology, paediatrics, general surgery and more.
Healthy North Coast is supporting the initiative in partnership with participating ACCHOs, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC), and NSW Health.
Susan Parker Pavlovic, Director of Aboriginal Partnerships at Healthy North Coast, said:
“This is a practical approach that recognises the important role our ACCHOs play in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities.
“The pilot also demonstrates the importance of collaboration between ACCHOs and government agencies in developing solutions that respond to local needs. It’s a great example of our Healthy North Coast Aboriginal Partnership in action.”
Michelle Maxwell, Director Strategy Governance and Delivery, Regional Health Division at NSW Ministry of Health, praised the local approach:
“ACCHOs know their patients the best. They’re on the front lines and know the barriers that their patients are having in travelling to specialist health appointments.
“The NSW Government is committed to improving access to health care for people in regional NSW. We look forward to seeing the further successes and outcomes of the pilot and the insights it may provide for future service delivery.”
For patients, the difference can be significant. When travelling for specialist treatment or other eligible medical appointments, delays in receiving reimbursements, or a difficult application process, can add to the financial pressure already associated with accessing care.
Through partnership, Healthy North Coast, participating ACCHOs, the AH&MRC and NSW Health are working towards a more accessible and responsive approach to supporting Aboriginal patients to receive the health care they need.
For Aboriginal patients interested in the North Coast Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) Pilot, contact your local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation.
Media contact:
- Sam Brunning | sbrunning@hnc.org.au | 0439 968 437