Patient Assistance Travel Scheme

The Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS) is provided for you to attend the nearest approved specialist service in the NT. 

This could include being sent to one of the five public hospitals or a visiting specialist or a service provided by Telehealth.

Referral to an NT specialist

To access PATS you must have a current referral from a practitioner to see an NT specialist. 

This practitioner can be:

• a general practitioner (GP)
• an approved nurse practitioner in a rural or remote area
• a dental practitioner referring to the nearest specialist oral surgeon.

Referral to an interstate specialist

If you attend an NT specialist appointment and you are advised that you need further medical treatment not available in the NT, you may be referred to a visiting specialist service or to an interstate specialist service.

A referral by a GP or dental practitioner direct to an interstate specialist is not eligible for PATS.

The referring practitioner will apply on your behalf to the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS).

They will outline the service you need, where it is and if you need an escort.

Arranging travel

Once your application is approved, your local PATS office will arrange your travel and accommodation, or you can arrange the travel yourself and claim reimbursement after the trip.

If you arrange your own travel you must keep all your original receipts.

Find out what you can claim for.