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Travel Form Dilemma Solved
December 9, 2020
Kingaroy Hospital is again accepting Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme forms face-to-face, a Darling Downs Health spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.
southburnett.com.au was contacted earlier this year by a reader concerned a locked box had replaced the face-to-face service.
The reader was worried there could be delays in payment if there were errors on the forms, and feared the box – containing personal details – could be stolen.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington submitted a Question On Notice last week to the Health Minister seeking an explanation for the change.
“Temporary changes were made to the process for lodging Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) forms earlier this year as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Darling Downs Health spokesperson said.
“To help protect patients and staff, we reduced the risk of spreading COVID-19 by finding alternative ways of submitting forms, including a secure drop-box system at hospitals, and accepting scanned or photographed forms sent via email.
“We continued to work hard to help patients with their travel needs and continued to process PTSS applications and claims.
“Staff collected forms from the secure drop-boxes each day and called patients if more information was needed, or if they needed to discuss individual travel requirements.
“As COVID-19 restrictions have eased, our facilities are accepting face-to-face receipt of forms, taking into consideration each facility’s circumstances.
“Forms can also continue to be submitted via the secure drop-boxes, email or post.
“At Kingaroy Hospital, forms can now be submitted at the Matron Farr (Community Health) building via the secure drop box, which is located inside the building, with staff nearby to accept the forms face-to-face if needed.
“This location was chosen because it provides easy access and parking away from construction areas.
“When Stage 2 of the Kingaroy Hospital is completed, the PTSS office will move into a newly constructed building, where it is expected that face-to-face service will again be provided.
“Stage 2 is currently on-track for completion at the end of 2021.
“For more information about submitting a PTSS form at Kingaroy Hospital, phone (07) 4162-9214 or email [email protected]
“Darling Downs Health PTSS office staff are available during office hours via phone or email to help patients with applications and answer any queries they may have.
“You can contact the Darling Downs Health PTSS team by phoning (07) 4616-6252 or emailing [email protected]
“Patients can submit their PTSS claim at any Queensland public hospital or health facility in person (depending on COVID-19 restrictions) or via email, fax or post, and the form will be forwarded for processing.”
- Related article: MP Queries Travel Subsidy Change
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Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)
Patient registration form a, section a (patient or guardian / carer to complete), section b (patient or guardian / carer to complete), * a medicare card number is required to be eligible for ptss, your personal information.
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© The State of Queensland 1995–2019
Queensland Government
Guideline for the patient travel subsidy scheme
Guideline number: QH-HSDGDL-050-2:2019
Effective date: 01 July 2023
Review date: 25 January 2026
Supersedes: v1.0
On this page:
- Quick facts
- Eligibility
- Patient responsibility
- Travel subsidies and mode of transport
- Escort subsidies
- Accommodation subsidies
- Application process
- Subsidy claims
- Funding and alternative sources
- Return transport of a deceased patient
- Appeals, compliments, feedback and complaints
- Supporting and related documents
- Defintion of terms
- Approval and implemenation
- Version control
This guideline provides information for patients accessing the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) and for hospital and health services administering the PTSS.
This Guideline is mandatory and applies to all hospital and health services.
State and Territory governments are required to provide all Australians with timely access to quality health services based on their needs, regardless of where they live in the country.
The PTSS provides financial assistance to eligible patients who are required to travel for specialist health services not available locally (within 50 kilometres of the patient’s closest public hospital or public health facility).The PTSS assists with travel and accommodation costs only. It is not intended to cover all costs associated with accessing specialist health services. This guideline outlines the financial assistance available to eligible patients.
Principles to guide decision-making
- Accessibility—the scheme and information about the scheme shall be accessible (available and understandable) for staff and the public
- Consistency—the scheme is applied consistently across Queensland
- Equity—the scheme facilitates equitable access to specialist healthcare services across Queensland
- Patient-centred approach—the health and wellbeing of patients is integral to the PTSS decision-making process and decisions are made with empathy
- Patient safety—the safety of patients is a key consideration in patient travel decisions
- Subsidy—the scheme does not cover full costs of travel and accommodation
- Value for money—the scheme promotes the efficient use of public resources across Queensland.
1. Quick facts
Subsidies are available to eligible patients referred to specialist health services located 50 kilometres or more (one way) from a Queensland public hospital or public health facility closest to their permanent address. The distance is determined using the Google Maps calculator ( www.google.com.au/maps ) using the fastest route without tolls.
Eligible patients can apply for the following subsidies:
- Travel : subsidy payments are calculated using the rates below:
- Commercial (air, bus, ferry or rail) – fully subsidised payment equal to the lowest available discount fare (including economy/government rates)
- Private motor vehicle (driving) – a rate of $0.34 per kilometre, from the street address of the public hospital or public health facility closest to the patient’s permanent address, to the street address of the closest public treatment facility. Refer to Section 4: Travel subsidies and mode of transport .
Please note: A patient should travel as soon as (reasonably) possible before and after treatment, unless otherwise instructed by their clinician.
- Accommodation: patients required to stay overnight to access specialist health services may also be eligible for a subsidy to assist with the cost of accommodation. Subsidy payments are calculated as: $10 per person per night for private accommodation and up to $70 per person per night (excluding GST) for commercial accommodation. Please note patients may be required to pay for the first four nights of accommodation in each financial year, refer to Section 6: Accommodation subsidies.
- Escort: patients who require assistance when travelling may also be eligible for a subsidy for a carer/escort. Refer to Section 5: Escort subsidies .
Please note : proof of payment must be provided, refer to Section 8: Subsidy claims
The PTSS helps with travel and accommodation costs only. The cost of meals, parking, telephone calls and transfers e.g. taxis and airport transfers (unless the patient is travelling more than 50 kilometres from the closest public hospital or public health facility to the transport terminal, refer to Section 4.3 Commercial travel ), are not covered.
2. Eligibility
2.1 patients must meet all of the following criteria (and may be required to provide proof of eligibility):.
- eligible for Medicare
- a permanent Queensland resident or person of no fixed address, or a student living at a Queensland boarding school or university campus (refer to Section 2.3 Residence )
- required to travel more than 50 kilometres (one way) (from the public hospital or public health facility closest to their permanent address) to attend the nearest eligible specialist health service (refer to Section 2.15 Exceptions to the nearest specialist service criteria )
- have an eligible referral for an approved specialty (refer to Section 2.10 Eligible specialist services )
- unable to use Telehealth (refer to Section 13. Definition of Terms ).
Please note: The hospital and health service assessing the PTSS application will assess the clinical appropriateness for the appointment to be conducted via Telehealth. If a patient chooses to travel when Telehealth is available and clinically appropriate, PTSS subsidies will not be provided.
2.2 Patients are NOT eligible if they are:
- travelling on holidays or business and live in another state. This includes fly-in fly-out or temporary workers who are not permanent Queensland residents. Refer to Section 2.7 Queensland residents travelling for holidays .
Please note: All Australian states/territories have patient travel schemes, patients should apply for assistance in their state/territory of permanent residence.
- eligible to claim assistance from a third party (e.g. WorkCover, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Motor Accident Insurance Commission, or some NDIS packages and private health insurance). Partial PTSS subsidies may be approved if the third party financial assistance is less than the PTSS subsidy, refer to Section 9: Funding from alternative sources.
- seeing a general practitioner, or using general dental services or allied health services, except as part of specialist treatment (refer to Section 2.10 Eligible specialist services ).
- transported, using urgent or non-urgent transport, arranged by Queensland Health e.g. emergency ambulance. (A subsidy may be approved for the return journey, refer to Section 2.8 Return travel following inter-hospital transfer or emergency medical transport ).
- seeking a second opinion without a medical referral to an eligible specialist service (refer to Section 2.12 Second opinions ).
- taking part in clinical trials and experimental procedures.
Please note: overseas travel to access specialist services is not covered by PTSS.
2.3 Residence
- Patients may be requested to provide proof of residence in Queensland. Acceptable forms include, but not limited to:
- driver’s licence, proof of electorate enrolment, electricity bill, rates notice, rent receipt or lease agreement, tax return, bank letter, tertiary enrolment, letter from employer or local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community council.
Please note: patients with ongoing medical conditions requiring long-term treatment (more than three months) will be assessed by the patient’s referring hospital and health service on a case-by-case basis. Patients requiring relocation shall be directed to alternative long-term accommodation (Refer to Section 6.9 Long-term accommodation ).
2.4 Boarding school students
While students are living at boarding school, the address of their boarding school will be considered as their permanent address. Eligible boarding school students will only be entitled to have an escort travel from a different location (e.g. a parent or guardian travelling from home) where the patient is admitted to hospital or has a life-threatening condition. Only escorts who are residents of Queensland and currently residing in Queensland are eligible. The public hospital or public health facility closest to the boarding school is responsible for approving and paying subsidies.
While students are not living at boarding school (e.g. on holidays), the address of their home will be considered as their permanent address.
2.5 University students
While university students are living on campus, the address of the campus will be considered as their permanent address. University students seeking an escort will be assessed as per the escort criteria (refer to Section 5 Escort subsidies ). The public hospital or public health facility closest to the university is responsible for approving and paying subsidies.
While students are not living on campus (e.g. on holidays), the address of their home will be considered their permanent address.
2.6 Persons of no fixed address
Eligible Queensland residents of no fixed address are funded by the public hospital or public health facility at which the application is lodged. A subsidy will only be provided for travel between the referring and treating locations.
For the purposes of PTSS, patients living in another state travelling on holidays or business, including fly-in fly-out or temporary workers, who are not permanent Queensland residents, will not be considered a person of no fixed address.
2.7 Queensland residents travelling on holidays
Eligible patients travelling on holidays from somewhere other than their permanent address will only be entitled to a subsidy equivalent to the subsidy they would receive for travelling from the public hospital or public health facility closest to their permanent address to the nearest eligible specialist health service, or from their location, whichever is the lesser amount. Exceptions apply for the return journey of patients and their escorts who are transported for emergency treatment (refer below to Section 2.8 Return travel ). Queensland residents travelling interstate or overseas are not eligible for financial assistance under this scheme.
2.8 Return travel following inter-hospital transfer or emergency medical transport
Eligible patients discharged following inter-hospital transfer or emergency transport are eligible for financial assistance towards the cost of the return journey to the public hospital or public health facility closest to their permanent address. A patient may receive financial assistance to travel back to their nearest local public health facility. Patients are not eligible for travel to a third location.
The public hospital or public health facility closest to the patient’s permanent address is responsible for approving and paying subsidies.
An escort subsidy will only be approved if criteria are met (refer to Section 5: Escort subsidies ). The escort is eligible for both legs of the return journey.
2.9 Private specialist services
Eligible patients who travel to private specialist services are eligible for a subsidy if a public or private specialist is not available within 50 kilometres from their nearest public hospital or public health facility. However, they are only entitled to a subsidy equivalent to the subsidy they would receive to travel to the closest public hospital or public health facility, or to the private service they are attending, whichever is the lesser amount.
The same rule applies to patients who are required to travel interstate (more than 50 kilometres from their nearest public hospital or public health facility to use specialist services not provided through the public health system anywhere in the state), they are only entitled to a subsidy equivalent to travelling to the nearest treatment.
Please note: The cost of the treatment provided is not a consideration as to whether the patient is eligible for a subsidy, or the amount.
2.10 Eligible specialist services
To be eligible for a subsidy under the PTSS, patients must:
- be unable to use Telehealth to access the required service; and
- be referred for specialist health services which are necessary for the health of the patient, as listed in Schedule 1. ( Please note: the patient must be referred by a medical practitioner, dentist (for eligible oral and maxilla-facial surgery) or optometrist (for eligible ophthalmic services); and
- be referred to a recognised/credentialed specialist in the field for which the referral was given. (Please note the approving hospital and health service can check the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) register on the AHPRA website at https://www.ahpra.gov.au/registration/registers-of-practitioners.aspx If the medical specialist is not a credentialed specialist, the application will be declined and the patient is advised to return to their general practitioner and ask for a referral to a recognised/credentialed specialist).
2.10.1 Allied health services
Eligible patients who are accessing allied health services as an essential component of their treatment plan, and have been referred by a specialist , are eligible for a subsidy if all other eligibility criteria are met.
Allied health services include audiology, clinical psychology, nutrition/dietetics, occupational therapy, orthotics/prosthetics, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, social work and speech pathology. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- a visit to an ocularist following eye removal
- a visit to a prosthetic specialist following limb amputation
- audiology services related to cochlear implant
- occupational therapy for burns scar management.
2.10.2 Oral and maxilla-facial surgery (renamed from dental services)
- General dental services are not covered under the scheme. The following examples are eligible (but not limited to) under the PTSS (to eligible patients):
- congenital defects/abnormalities of the skull and facial structures (e.g. cleft lip and palate)
- syndromes of cranio-facial distortion
- surgical orthodontic cases where facial disfigurement is such that surgery is required
- oral cancer (removal of tissue or tumours for biopsy)
- reconstructive surgery after removing tumours from the face, neck, jaw, or mouth.
2.11 Organ donors
- Travel and accommodation costs for organ recipients are covered by the PTSS and are the responsibility of the recipient’s approving hospital. Eligibility for escorts applies as per Section 5: Escort Subsidies . Travel and accommodation costs for the organ donor are treated as part of the organ donation treatment and are the responsibility of the treating hospital.
2.12 Second opinions
- Patients seeking a second opinion without a medical referral by another specialist are not eligible for a subsidy. Eligible patients who have been referred to an eligible specialist service for a second opinion by another specialist are eligible for a subsidy if all other eligibility criteria are met.
2.13 Interstate travel
- Patients can apply for a PTSS subsidy to attend an interstate specialist health service if the service is not available in Queensland. Also, a patient can apply when travelling interstate to New South Wales, South Australia or the Northern Territory if the facility is the patient’s closest specialist.
2.14 Identifying the closest public hospital or public health facility
- Where a patient’s permanent address is equal in distance to two Queensland public hospitals or public health facilities, the patient’s closest public hospital or public health facility will be considered as the one in their hospital and health service and will be responsible for administering the application.
- Patients can submit their application to the most convenient facility.
2.15 Exceptions to the nearest specialist service criteria
Patients may be approved by their local hospital or health facility to attend a specialist health treatment at a facility which is not the closest if:
- Emergency : the patient received emergency transportation to the service
- Historical approval : the patient has previously been approved for financial assistance and a closer service is subsequently available. In this instance, the patient can receive a subsidy for one further visit to the originally approved specialist. The patient may choose to continue to see the original specialist, however, the patient will only be subsidised for travel to the closest service as per normal eligibility criteria
- Practicality : transport to the closest specialist service is not available or it is more cost effective to refer patients to another specialist
- Clinical reason : there is a valid clinical reason to attend. This may include timeliness of treatment at the nearest location. Approval prior to travelling is needed from the approving hospital and health service
- System-wide strategy : the patient has been selected for a system-wide strategy, such as a wait-list reduction program.
Please note: Eligible patients who choose to travel to a service that is not the closest service, and the above circumstances do not apply, are eligible for a subsidy equivalent to the subsidy they would receive for travelling to the closest service.
3. Patient responsibility
It is the patient’s responsibility to:
- provide true and accurate information (e.g. if the patient is eligible for funding from another source)
- provide required documents/proof to the approving hospital and health service to support their PTSS claim (e.g. signed accommodation confirmation form (Form D) and any tax receipts)
- submit forms in a timely manner (e.g. submission of travel referral, following the receipt of an appointment date)
- provide additional documentation from their treating specialist if requested by the approving hospital and health service.
Patient responsibility is part of the reservation/booking agreement i.e. once travel and/or accommodation has been reserved/booked, the patient agrees to the terms and conditions of the carrier and/or commercial accommodation (as a customer).
3.1 Travel and accommodation
It is the responsibility of the patient to advise the approving hospital or health facility of any changes to their travel plans. Additional costs involved with changes to booked travel/accommodation without a clinical reason (an example of a clinical reason is the treating hospital cancels the appointment), are the responsibility of the patient.
If adequate notice is not provided (i.e. within 24 hours), and travel/accommodation is missed without a clinical/legitimate reason, the patient:
- is responsible for any cancellation fees or other charges i.e. full cost of accommodation or travel if applicable
- may be required to pay for future accommodation and submit a claim for a subsidy reimbursement
- may be required to pay for future travel (e.g. flights, bus, ferry) and submit a claim for a subsidy reimbursement.
The patient is responsible for any damage to:
- the room/s and/or accommodation provider’s premises or property, no matter how caused (whether by a deliberate, negligent, or reckless act) e.g. smoking in a non-smoking room where a cleaning fee is charged
- the property in a lease agreement (as per usual rental tenancy conditions)
- the commercial travel provider’s fixtures e.g. plane/train.
4. Travel subsidies and mode of transport
At a minimum, eligible patients and their approved escorts are subsidised for the most economical mode of transport to access their specialist health service. The mode of transport is determined by the most clinically appropriate and cost-effective mode of transport available. Such transport can include (but is not limited to): train, bus, ferry, private motor vehicle (driving) or airplane. All subsidies are GST exclusive and patients cannot claim a subsidy for any GST they incur for travel.
The following costs are not subsidised under PTSS :
- travelling to and from transport terminals (unless the transport terminal is more than 50 kilometres from the patient’s local public hospital or public health facility)
- travelling between medical appointments and accommodation
- excess baggage and seat allocation (unless there is a clinical need/reason)
- incidental costs including meals, taxis, parking and telephone calls.
Please note : proof of payment must be provided, refer to Section 8: Subsidy claims.
4.1 Eligibility criteria for the mode of transport
An eligible patient and their approved escort may have a clinical need to travel by transport other than the most economical and will be subsidised accordingly. The patient must meet one of the following:
- Active clinical management: conditions that would be difficult to manage during prolonged road travel, or if away longer than one day. This includes (but is not limited to) patients requiring ambulatory oxygen, regular catheterisation by self/carer, frequent nebuliser therapy (more frequent than four hourly), and dialysis patients.
- Pain management: severe pain that is likely to be worsened by prolonged sitting, including (but not limited to) those experiencing post-operative pain (within two weeks of an operation), bony metastases, and acute disc prolapse neck/back.
- Urgency: needing urgent treatment or referral, including patients called for organ transplant, those starting chemotherapy/ radiotherapy/ dialysis and patients with sudden loss of vision e.g. retinal detachment.
- Restricted mobility: This includes patients with quadriplegia/ paraplegia/ hemiplegia, and those requiring significant assistance with ambulation, which precludes other forms of transport.
- Life threatening conditions: potentially life-threatening conditions (but not requiring emergency transfer), where a prolonged journey may compromise patient health. This includes patients with low-risk unstable angina pectoris unstable epilepsy indicated by frequent seizures, large aneurysm requiring surgery and advanced pregnancy.
- Musculoskeletal instability: This includes patients for whom prolonged jolting/jarring may compromise their treatment outcome such as splinted fractures not already stabilised, tendon repair (pre-op) and prolapsed vertebral disc with neurological signs.
- Other factor: it is not appropriate for the patient due to factors such as the patient’s medical condition, their age, time of the appointment, the length of time taken to travel and the need to ensure the patient’s safety on arrival and access to accommodation.
For example , it is not necessary to book the most economical mode of transport if it would result in the patient arriving at an unreasonably early or late hour, taking into account check-in times for accommodation.
A hospital and health service may approve a different mode of transport other than the most economical if it results in value for money for the patient and/or hospital and health service.
The approved subsidy may be for a different mode of transport for the forward and return journeys. A patient should travel as soon as (reasonably) possible before and after treatment, unless otherwise instructed by their clinician.
Please note: the referring clinician recommends the mode of transport but the approving hospital and health service makes the final approval based on the information provided and the individual circumstances of the patient. Advice from clinicians, allied health professionals, social workers and liaison officers, will be considered when assessing the patient’s application. If the referring clinician does not provide adequate information (e.g. a clinical reason) for the mode of transport, the approving hospital and health service may book the most economical mode of transport.
Eligible patients who have been approved for the most economical mode of transport, but choose to use a different mode of transport, will be provided the equivalent of the subsidy for the most economical mode of transport.
4.2 Private motor vehicle mileage
The private motor vehicle mileage subsidy is calculated at $0.34 per kilometre from the street address of the patient’s closest public hospital or public health facility to the closest public treating facility. The distance is calculated using Google Maps using the fastest route without tolls.
Only one mileage subsidy is paid per private motor vehicle per return trip i.e. when a patient and approved escort are travelling together or when two or more patients are travelling together in the same vehicle.
4.3 Commercial travel
All hospital and health services must provide the option to book commercial travel for eligible patients. If a facility does not have the ability to book travel for a patient, it must ensure another facility within the hospital and health service can book the travel.
Eligible patients who choose to book and pay for their commercial travel are eligible for a subsidy up to the economy/government rate for the approved mode of transport (excluding GST and any fees). However, if this is due to emergency travel or the hospital and health service is unable to book the travel, the patient will be reimbursed (excluding GST and any fees).
If the hospital and health service books and pays for the commercial travel (e.g. air, bus or train) no subsidy is paid to the patient. Commercial travel is booked at the economy/government rate. Additional costs involved with changes to booked travel/ accommodation without a clinical reason are the responsibility of the patient.
If a patient chooses to book travel which is more expensive than the approved subsidy, the patient is responsible for the additional costs.
In the case where a change of escort is needed (e.g. due to a change of circumstance in the escort’s availability), the hospital and health service shall be notified for approval for any additional travel.
If a patient is required to travel more than 50 kilometres (one way) from the closest public hospital or public health facility to reach the transport terminal, they are eligible for a subsidy for that leg of the journey. In all other circumstances, the patient is responsible for the cost of travel between a transport terminal and their home or health facility.
5. Escort subsidies
Eligible patients may qualify for financial assistance for an escort to travel with them. An escort is defined as a person who accompanies a patient when they travel to access a specialist health service. An additional travel subsidy will not be paid for an escort when travelling by car with the patient.
5.1 Eligibility criteria
Patients receive automatic approval for an escort when:
- the patient is a minor: the patient is under 18 years of age and a dependent child
- the escort is the patient’s legal guardian and is required to make decisions in relation to the patients’ healthcare
- the patient requires essential assistance: the patient requires assistance with basic requirements of life e.g. frail patients or those requiring oxygen or sedation
- the patient requires life-saving treatment
- active role in care: the escort is required to participate in treatment or rehabilitation e.g. patients undergoing major surgery, organ transplants or dialysis may require a carer/escort to participate in their care while at home
- the patient has a physical or cognitive impairment (e.g. brain injury or dementia), is legally blind, has a mental illness requiring a legal guardian/carer, or impaired mobility.
A patient may be eligible for an escort for reasons not listed above at the discretion of the approving hospital and health service. The requirement for an escort will be assessed after assessing the clinician’s recommendation i.e. a patient’s referring practitioner or treating specialist recommends an escort for:
- clinical reasons
- assisting with language barriers (when interpreter services are not available)
- cultural reasons which would inhibit a patient attending an appointment – the hospital Indigenous health co-ordinator or Indigenous liaison officer may be consulted to support this request.
Please note: the referring clinician is required to provide details/reasoning to support their recommendation for an escort.
A patient may be eligible for more than one escort at the discretion of the approving hospital and health service. For example, a patient is under 18 years of age and has a severe disability that requires two escorts to care for the patient.
Please note: a patient escort must be 18 years and older.
If an escort is not approved a patient may still choose to have someone accompany them, however the escort’s travel costs will not be subsidised by the PTSS.
5.2 Rules for escorts
Escorts must travel with the patient, except:
- when the patient has received emergency transport and prior approval for an escort was not possible, or
- where an escort was not needed at the time of initial application and is subsequently approved to travel.
Approval must be obtained from the patient’s closest public hospital or health facility prior to the escort travelling.
In the case where a change of escort is required (e.g. due to a change of circumstance in the escort’s availability), the hospital and health service needs to be notified and an updated form or advice from the GP/specialist may be requested. Please note there should be no additional costs than originally approved by the hospital and health service.
6. Accommodation subsidies
Eligible patients and approved escorts may qualify for an accommodation subsidy for commercial or private accommodation when accessing eligible specialist health services.
Accommodation will only be subsidised for the period the patient is clinically required to be away from home for medical reasons (excluding any time as an inpatient), or where a return journey cannot reasonably be completed in one day.
6.1 Eligibility criteria
An eligible patient and their approved escort may be required to stay in accommodation if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Clinical/medical requirement: a patient is clinically required to be away from home (excluding any time in hospital). An approved escort may be eligible for accommodation while the patient is in hospital
- Travel distance: a patient is approved to travel by private motor vehicle and would need to travel more than a total of 600 kilometres or eight hours in one day
- Appointment time: a patient has an early appointment/admission or has a late appointment/discharge and it is not practical to travel on the same day.
6.2 Payment of the first four nights’ accommodation
Eligible patients are required to pay the first four nights of accommodation (commercial or private) in each financial year, unless they meet the following criteria in which case the patient and their escort/s are exempt:
- Patient is a minor (under 18 years of age)
- Concession card holder - if a patient holds one of the following valid cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Centrelink Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Department of Veteran Affairs Health Card (blue/white card only).
If a patient does not have a concession card, the approved escort is also required to pay for the first four nights of accommodation in each financial year. Where the escort has a concession card and the patient does not, neither are eligible for a concession.
Example: Esme is travelling for a knee replacement surgery and her local facility has approved her for travel, accommodation and escort subsidies. For her treatment, Esme will be away from home for a total of seven nights, three of which she will spend in hospital as an inpatient. Esme has a Pensioner Concession Card so does not need to pay for the first four nights of accommodation for herself or her escort. Esme has been approved for air travel and has booked the return airfares for herself and her escort Bill. She has also booked a hotel for $150 per night for the seven nights she will be away from home.
Esme and Bill will receive the following subsidy payments:
Travel subsidy
Both Esme and Bill will have the cost of their return economy airfares, minus any GST and booking fees, fully reimbursed in their travel subsidy payment.
Accommodation subsidy
Esme: $280 ( $70 per night for the four nights she is not an inpatient).
Bill: $490 ( $70 per night for the seven nights Esme needs to be away from home for treatment).
Total accommodation subsidy payment: $770 ( $280 for Esme and $490 for Bill).
Esme and Bill will need to pay the additional costs for their seven nights’ accommodation.
The total costs of Esme and Bill’s accommodation for the seven nights’ is $1050 ($150 x 7).
Esme and Bill will need to pay the extra cost of $280 ($1050 - $770 ) for their accommodation.
6.3 Accommodation subsidies while travelling
Patients and escorts who are approved for private motor vehicle subsidies, and:
- would need to travel more than a total of 600 kilometres or eight hours in one day, are each entitled to an accommodation subsidy while travelling
- are attending an early appointment/admission or have a late appointment/discharge may be eligible for an accommodation subsidy.
6.4 Accommodation for escorts when patients are admitted to hospital
If an adult patient has been admitted to hospital as an inpatient, and the escort is not needed for the ongoing care of the patient (as per the initial clinical approval), the escort is eligible for either an accommodation subsidy or a subsidy for one return trip home, whichever is the lesser amount.
Example: Matt is given approval to travel from Rockhampton to Brisbane with an escort for his planned admission into hospital. Once Matt is admitted into hospital he no longer needs his escort Simon to care for him. Simon decides to stay in Brisbane for the three nights until Matt is cleared to return home to Rockhampton. Matt’s local facility approves the accommodation and pays Simon a subsidy of $210 ($70 per night). At that time, a return flight to Rockhampton was $220. If Simon chose to return home (back to Rockhampton) and fly back to Brisbane again when Matt is cleared to fly home, Simon would be eligible for a subsidy up to $210 (the cost of three nights’ accommodation).
6.4.1 Commercial accommodation subsidy
Eligible patients and approved escorts are entitled to a subsidy of up to $70 per person per night (excluding the GST component) when staying in commercial accommodation. Patients claiming the accommodation subsidy will need to complete the accommodation confirmation form (Form D). Examples of commercial accommodation include: hotel, motel, caravan park, apartment, bed and breakfast, rental arrangement, Airbnb or similar, flat or accommodation facility associated with non-government organisations (e.g. the Cancer Council or Leukaemia Foundation). If a patient chooses to stay with an accommodation provider that is not registered for GST (e.g. Airbnb, bed and breakfast), there should be no GST charged or reimbursed.
6.5 Payment direct to accommodation provider
Approved commercial accommodation subsidies may be paid directly to the accommodation provider by the approving public hospital or public health facility.
Subsidies will only be provided for:
- eligible patients who have been approved for subsidies
- actual costs up to the approved subsidy amount (i.e. where the actual cost of accommodation is less than $70 per person per night (excluding GST), the lesser amount will be paid)
- nights for which the patient is clinically required to stay away from home factoring in travel e.g. a patient may only need to stay overnight for a procedure but because of the time of the procedure, may need an extra night’s accommodation.
It is the responsibility of the approving hospital and health service to:
- ensure a direct billing arrangement has been set up with the accommodation provider
- notify the accommodation provider of the approved number of nights and the subsidy to be paid
- send the accommodation confirmation form directly to the accommodation provider prior to the patient travelling (Please note: patients need to read and sign this form when they check-out as well as pay for any gap in the nightly rate and/or additional costs incurred).
6.6 Private accommodation subsidy
If a patient and approved escort choose to stay with friends or relatives (i.e. private accommodation) the subsidy provided is $10 per person per night (excluding GST as GST does not apply here). A signed private accommodation confirmation must be submitted as proof, refer to Section 8 Subsidy Claims .
6.7 Accommodation reimbursements
Eligible patients who pay for their accommodation are entitled to a subsidy payment of $70 per person per approved night. Patients cannot claim a subsidy for any GST they incur for accommodation. Proof of payment must be provided (refer to Section 8 Subsidy claims ).
Where the actual cost of accommodation, is less than $70 per person per night, that amount will be paid (excluding GST).
If a patient chooses to book accommodation which is more expensive than the applicable subsidy, the patient is responsible for the additional costs.
6.8 Accommodation approval period
If the need for accommodation extends beyond the period approved, the patient (or treating facility on the patient’s behalf) needs to notify the approving hospital and health service in advance to ask for further approval. A new PTSS application is not needed if the patient is continuing to access the same specialist health service.
6.9 Long-term accommodation
Accommodation subsidies are to be provided for the entire period the patient is clinically required to be away from home as certified by the treating specialist (excluding any time as an inpatient).
If the end date for accommodation is not known, or the need for accommodation is ongoing, the approving hospital and health service may conduct a review (no more than every 3 months) to decide if subsidies are still required (e.g. to ascertain if the specialist service has become available locally or if Telehealth is now appropriate or available).
Example: Scott and his son Rodney are temporarily relocating to Brisbane for Rodney’s Leukaemia treatment. As Rodney is under 18 years of age, he is automatically approved for an escort. Rodney’s PTSS application has been approved for travel, accommodation and escort subsidies. The end date for Rodney’s treatment is unknown so his local hospital has booked both Scott and Rodney a one-way airplane ticket to Brisbane. Scott has organised accommodation with a local Non-Government Organisation (NGO) that will directly invoice his local hospital for the same amount as his approved subsidy ($70 each, $140 in total). As Scott and Rodney’s airfares have been paid for by their local hospital, and the NGO accommodation provider invoices the local hospital directly, they will not receive a PTSS subsidy payment. To continue to have their accommodation paid for, Scott will need to provide proof of Rodney's ongoing treatment in Brisbane. When Rodney receives medical clearance to return home, Scott will need to contact his local hospital to arrange their travel home under PTSS.
Eligible patients and/or approved escorts requiring long-term accommodation (more than three months) are expected to have a discussion with the HHS to secure rental or other suitable accommodation that provides value for money and better meets the needs of the patient.
Example: Belle is advised she will receive treatment at a hospital in Brisbane. Belle’s PTSS application is approved for travel, accommodation and an escort. Belle finds a motel close to the hospital and as the treatment is ongoing with no end date, the HHS organises a direct billing arrangement (the subsidy is paid directly to the motel). This reduces out of pocket expenses for Belle. The motel rate is $160 per night and as the approved subsidy is only $140 per night ($70 for Belle and $70 for her escort), Belle will need to pay the additional $20 per night. After three months, the hospital and health service talk to Belle about her needs and decide that a rental property will be more appropriate in the long term. They agree on a two-bedroom unit that costs $800 per week. This is better value for money for Belle as it has more facilities (e.g. laundry and full kitchen) and eliminates the out of pocket costs, as Belle no longer pays $20 per night for accommodation).
Patients with ongoing medical conditions (more than three months) who have permanently relocated to be closer to an appropriate treatment facility or specialist are no longer eligible for a subsidy under the PTSS. If a patient needs to relocate because they are on the transplant list, the approving hospital and health services should have a discussion with the patient regarding their options.
7. Application Process
Patients need to lodge their application for a subsidy as soon as practicable before they travel and ensure supporting documentation (e.g. appointment confirmation, referral) are included at the time of application. All patients are entitled to submit an application for assessment.
Patients must apply using the current PTSS forms. Forms are available at public hospitals or health facilities, or online at www.health.qld.gov.au/ptss . Local general practitioners may also have PTSS forms.
Personal information collected by Queensland Health is handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 . Your personal information is collected to assess whether you are eligible to receive a subsidy under the PTSS. The personal information provided by you will be securely stored and made available to appropriately authorised officers of Queensland Health. Personal information recorded on the forms will not be disclosed to other parties without your consent, unless required by law. For information about how Queensland Health protects your personal information, or to learn about your right to access your own personal information, please see our website at www.health.qld.gov.au/global/privacy .
7.1 Assessment of travel referrals
The approving hospital or health facility shall aim to assess PTSS forms and notify patients of the outcome within five working days (where possible) of all necessary documentation being received.
Travel referrals will be assessed by the local medical superintendent or an officer delegated by the Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive with the appropriate clinical approval and financial delegations.
Each facility is required to have a list of unavailable specialist treatments for which patients can be automatically approved for PTSS, where eligibility criteria are met.
7.1.1 Approval of financial assistance outside guidelines
Approval of financial assistance outside this Guideline is at the discretion of the hospital and health service. It is recommended the hospital and health service take into account any precedent that may be set by approval of additional financial assistance. Details of financial assistance approved outside the Guideline shall be recorded, including associated costs, and reported as non-PTSS activity and expenditure as outlined in the Protocol for the Administration of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.
Hospital and health services need to provide written advice to the patient outlining they have been provided with financial assistance that is not funded under the PTSS, and this is not a guarantee of future payments.
7.2 Notification of outcome of application
The patient shall be notified of the outcome of the application as follows:
- If approved and the patient has provided the hospital and health service with an email address or mobile phone number, the notification will say that it has been approved and include the travel reference number and the speciality.
- If not approved: A letter will be written explaining the reason for non-approval and the process for lodging an appeal.
7.3 Retrospective travel claims (after travel has occurred)
A travel referral/application is considered retrospective if submitted after travel has occurred. Claims for a subsidy for previously approved travel referrals/applications (e.g. private motor vehicle mileage) are not considered retrospective.
Retrospective travel referrals/applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria on the same basis as applications made prior to travel.
Retrospective applications are allowed in the following circumstances:
- Unaware of the Scheme: the patient was not aware of PTSS or that approval must be received prior to travel (this exception can only apply once per patient).
In this instance, applications may be submitted only for travel that has occurred in the 12 months prior to the most recent treatment date. The patient is responsible for getting all documentation (including receipts) to confirm referral and treatment details. All future travel must be approved in advance.
- Urgency: the patient required urgent appointments or admissions and did not have enough time or opportunity to obtain approval in advance.
- Change in circumstances : a PTSS-approved patient has travelled alone to receive treatment and subsequently requires an escort to join them.
7.4 Approved application period
Approved travel referrals are valid for a period of 12 months, or for as long as the specialist referral is valid, whichever is the longer period. Patients travelling for treatment of the same condition over that period are not required to reapply for PTSS approval.
Patients are required to submit a new application for each different specialty referral as each condition may require specific needs for travel e.g. a patient seeing a cardiologist and a gastroenterologist will need to submit two applications (one for each).
Please note: a hospital and health service may review an application at any time to ensure a patient’s approval is still appropriate i.e. to ascertain if the specialist service has become available locally or if Telehealth is appropriate. A patient may be requested to provide an updated Travel Referral Form B or a letter to support a change in travel arrangements.
7.5 Approval of multiple trips
If a patient needs to see multiple specialists or more than one trip is needed/expected, the hospital and health service may give approval for all known trips. The patient shall be advised of the approved treatment period and conditions of approval. It is recommended wherever possible that the patient is seen by all the treating specialists in the one trip. If this is not possible, the hospital and health service shall only approve the patient to attend the closest specialist for each specialty.
If there are changes to a patient’s circumstances (for example, a patient was not initially approved for an escort, but subsequently has a clinical reason for needing an escort), the patient must apply for a change to their approval, either using an updated Travel Referral Form B or a letter to support a change in travel arrangements from their specialist.
8. Subsidy claims
PTSS-approved patients who have paid for their own travel and/or accommodation may submit a claim for a subsidy that is consistent with what has been approved.
When seeking to claim a subsidy, patients must provide proof of payment for transport and/or accommodation services as follows:
- original tax invoices and receipts for travel and accommodation subsidies
- copies of tickets and receipts for commercial travel and accommodation subsidies, proof of the booking and proof of payment for e-tickets
- accommodation invoices and receipts need to identify the patient by name (or the parent/guardian where the patient is a minor) and specify dates of accommodation
- signed accommodation confirmation form for patients who stayed in private accommodation with family or friends.
Proof is not required to claim for private motor vehicle mileage subsidies, however the appointment confirmation is still required.
Statutory declarations may be required where there is insufficient documentation to support an application or claim for a subsidy. Forms are available to download from https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/statutory-declaration
Incomplete claims will not be processed, and the patient will be advised of missing documentation and given the opportunity to make the claim compliant. A claim cannot be processed until all required documents are received.
8.1 Subsidy payment timeframe
The subsidy is to be paid within 30 working days from receipt of all necessary documents by the approving public hospital or public health facility.
New travel referrals are unable to be approved until all the required documentation is submitted for subsidy claims relating to previously completed treatments. This clause does not apply to ongoing claims.
8.2 Proof of attendance at specialist appointment
Approved patients attending either public or private health specialist services need to provide proof of attendance for each approved treatment, procedure or appointment (e.g. a signed Appointment Attendance Form C, attendance record, discharge summary, invoice, HICAPS receipt or Medicare record).
Patients must provide proof of attendance at the previous specialist appointment before new travel can be booked.
8.3 Time limits on claims
Claims for pre-approved subsidies must be submitted no more than 12 months from the first date of travel for that specialist medical referral as per Section 7.4 Approved application period .
9. Funding from alternative sources
Patients who are eligible to receive financial assistance from other sources, such as Department of Veterans’ Affairs, WorkCover or third-party insurance, or some NDIS packages and private health insurance, are required to declare this during the application process. Partial payment of the PTSS subsidy may be approved if the alternative financial assistance does not include travel or accommodation costs or if the amount is less than what would be provided by PTSS. If a patient is unsure about these details they should speak to their local/approving hospital and health service.
Patients who have received a PTSS subsidy payment and subsequently receive payment from another source may be required to repay all, or part of, the PTSS subsidies.
10. Return transport of a deceased patient
Deceased PTSS patients on PTSS related travel will be repatriated to their Queensland place of residence or their Queensland Traditional Homelands or their Queensland First Nations Country.
Further information is contained in the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme – Repatriation of deceased patients ’ policy .
11. Appeals, compliments, feedback and complaints
11.1 appeals.
Patients can appeal the outcome of their application. Appeal forms are available at public hospitals or health facilities, or online at:
https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/27457/appeal-form-20190304.pdf
The process for submitting an appeal is:
- appeals must be lodged at the hospital or health facility that assessed the original application within 30 calendar days of the patient receiving notification of the outcome of their application except in extenuating circumstances
- the patient is responsible for providing any additional information to support review of their application. This may include additional documentation from the referring or treating clinician
- an appeal will be assessed within five working days from date of lodgement. Appeals may take longer if additional information or documentation is required
- appeals will be assessed in the same manner as the original application with the same eligibility criteria and requirements. However, the PTSS approver shall consider any new or supporting information provided as part of the appeal.
Please note: the original approver cannot assess the appeal.
11.2 Compliments, feedback and complaints
- Patients can lodge a compliment, complaint or provide feedback on the PTSS either verbally or in writing to their local public hospital or health facility. Each hospital and health service has a complaints coordinator who reviews feedback for all the facilities in their area. The complaints coordinator can be contacted to assist, even if a formal complaint has not been lodged.
The circumstances of the compliment/feedback/complaint should be given in detail, including times, dates, locations, names of persons involved, the specific issue, details of what would be a satisfactory resolution from the perspective of the patient, and patient/carer’s contact details.
Hospital and health services must manage any complaints regarding travel referrals and claims using a locally managed dispute management process. Further information about Queensland Health’s compliments and complaints processes is available at www.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/complaints/index.html .
Where disputes arise regarding approved mode of transport, these must be resolved between the approving and treating facilities by officers with appropriate clinical experience.
- If a patient is not happy with the locally managed dispute management process outlined above, they can contact the Queensland Ombudsman . The Queensland Ombudsman investigates complaints about the decisions or actions of a Queensland Government agency. More information is available online at www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au/MakeaComplaint.aspx
12. Supporting and related documents
- Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011
- Protocol for Administration of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme QH‑HSDPTL‑050‑1:2019
- Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme – Repatriation of deceased patients
Authorising Health Service Directive
- Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme QH-HSD-050:2019
13. Definition of terms
14. approval and implementation.
Guideline Custodian
Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services Division, Department of Health.
Approving Officer
Director General, Queensland Health
Approval date: 25/1/2024
Effective from: 01/07/2023
15. Version control
Schedule 1 – specialist medical services eligible for ptss subsidies.
Last updated: 12 February 2024
- Organisations
- Queensland Health
- Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme resources
PTSS Form A - Patient Registration - Online version
- Go to resource
URL: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/services/travel/subsidies/assets/docs/patient-registration-form-a
Use this online form to register with the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS). If you are already registered with the PTSS and your details have not changed you do not need to re-register. If your details have changed since you registered, use this form to update them.
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Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
If you live in a rural and remote area, and have to travel more than 50 km to your local public hospital, you may be eligible for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. Find out if you're eligible .
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Last updated: May 2024
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Home » Travel Guides » Australia » 15 Best Things to Do in Kingaroy (Australia)
15 Best Things to Do in Kingaroy (Australia)
This rural town is in Queensland ‘s South Burnett Region, high in fertile countryside.
As if you needed proof that agriculture is a way of life in Kingaroy there’s a trio of silos slap bang in the middle of town.
These hulking structures were put up in the middle of the 20th century to store the region’s main crop, peanuts.
Kingaroy has even been dubbed the “Peanut Capital of Australia”, and one humble peanut van in town sells hundreds of tonnes of peanuts each year.
The high elevation in South Burnett allows for cooler nights and less humidity, ideal for growing warm climate wines, and there’s a smattering of cellar doors just out of town.
1. Kingaroy Heritage Museum
The cornerstone of a heritage, arts and culture precinct at the heart of Kingaroy is a museum shining a light on the town’s early days.
Appropriately the venue is Kingaroy’s former Power House, built in 1925 and operating until 1952. It’s no surprise that the peanut takes centre stage at the museum, as you’ll learn about the ingenuity and resourcefulness of local farmers, adapting and inventing their own threshers in the absence of dedicated peanut-farming machinery.
You can inspect these eccentric machines, as well as a catalogue of photographs, tools, household products, shop signs and appliances to glimpse an enthralling period from Kingaroy’s past.
2. The Peanut Van
With an unassuming main location in front of a Holden dealership, The Peanut Van is a real Kingaroy success story, selling around 300 tonnes of peanuts a year.
The van has been here since 1969, and is even credited with helping to kick-start the tourism industry in South Burnett.
There’s no better place to taste the product that is at the backbone of the local economy.
On offer are more than 20 varieties of sweet and savoury peanuts, among them Kingaroy Kurry, Tangy Lime and Hickory Smoked.
The van also stocks various peanut products, like peanut paste, peanut oil or unshelled peanuts.
3. South Burnett Wine Region
Queensland isn’t as well known for wine as NSW and Victoria, but the high altitude and fertile, pH-appropriate soils around Kingaroy create the right conditions for growing varieties like Verdelho, Merlot, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
The first vineyards started cropping up in the 1990s, and South Burnett boasts the largest winery in the state, at Clovely Estate.
The region’s reds, like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, tend to be medium-bodied with subtly sweet berry flavours.
On this list we’ll mention a couple of wineries a stone’s throw from Kingaroy, but South Burnett is a delight to tour, with vineyards sprawling on the lush slopes.
4. Local Heritage
The Kingaroy Information, Art and Heritage Precinct, preserves a cluster of lovely old buildings and is also home to the Regional Art Gallery, which we’ll mention later.
In this group is the timber-built Carroll Cottage, Kingaroy’s first edifice and completed in phases between 1900 and the 1930s.
The same family established the nearby Carrollee Hotel, which bears the date 1904 but had to be rebuilt in a Federation style after a fire in 1913. Of course, we have to talk about the peanut silos, looming over Haly Street and the CBD.
These three commanding structures were built between 1938 and 1951 by the Queensland Marketing Board, testament to a local industry that goes back to 1901.
5. Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail
The old Nanango Rail Line was a narrow-gauge railway, starting out as a branch line extending west from Theebine to Kilkivan after gold and copper were discovered in the area.
The line eventually made its way south, reaching Kingaroy in 1900. The Kingaroy to Theebine section was finally closed in 2011 and over the last decade the tracks have been removed and an 88-kilometre trail has been set up as far as Kilkivan.
The good news, if you’re setting out from Kingaroy, is that the route is sealed with bitumen for 44 kilometres, all the way to Murgon, after which there’s an unsealed track.
Directly outside Kingaroy you’ll be in picture-perfect wine country, and the next village or town is never far away.
For a bite-sized trip you could amble or cycle to Crawford (5.3km) or Memerambi (11.1km), and read the interpretive boards laying out the railway’s history.
6. Kingaroy Observatory
South Burnett has low light pollution, and the night skies are significantly darker than 150 kilometres away on the Queensland coast.
Naturally this makes it an obvious spot for an observatory, and you can come by at night to gaze through the three Meade 14-inch telescopes.
Viewing sessions are arranged into two categories: Stars and Planets, to view star clusters, nebulas, the Milky Way and other galaxies, or Moon and Planet nights to see the Moon and the planets of the Solar System in startling detail.
If you’re here by day, the air-conditioned Star Theatre seats 70 and can show the surface of the Sun like you’ve never seen it before.
The best time to be at the observatory is autumn to spring when there’s less cloud cover.
7. Apex Park and Lookout
At this park in the town’s north-west you’ll be on the site of Kingaroy’s first public hospital.
The grounds were redeveloped in the 1960s, but the mature trees you see in Apex Park go back to the days of the hospital.
Just off Coral Street, which cuts the park in two from east to west, there’s a platform with a rewarding panorama of Kingaroy and its silos backdropped by the magnificent Bunya Mountains.
You’ll also be able to make out Coolabunia Hill, home of the late John and Florence Bjelke-Petersen, Queensland’s former premier and first lady.
Apex Park also has a playground for wee ones, while the grand old trees offer ample shade for picnics.
8. Mount Wooroolin Lookout
This summit four kilometres west of Kingaroy was turned into a reserve and lookout in 1988 to mark the Australian Bicentenary.
The reserve covers 65 acres, mostly under a cloak of dry vine forest and eucalypt woodland.
There’s a grassy space with picnic tables and barbecues, while the lookout on Mount Wooroolin’s peak can be climbed via an accessible ramp.
At the top you can enjoy views in all directions, with clear lines of sight to the Bunya Mountains and Tarong Power Station to the south, Coolabunia Hill to the south-east and the picturesque Gordonbrook Dam in the north-west.
Tarong Power Station provides one fifth of Queensland’s energy, while the Gordonbrook Dam is Kingaroy’s main source of water.
9. Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery
In the shadow of those colossal silos on Haly Street, the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery is set in the Art Deco Shire Council Chambers, built in 1938. It’s a delightful place if you want to take the pulse of the regional art scene, with a vibrant program of exhibitions, events and activities throughout the year.
There are three gallery spaces with displays in a wide range of media.
Make sure to take a peek inside Shop 38, a sales space for more than 40 talented artists and crafters from the region.
10. Crane Wines
This boutique winery is barely 10 minutes out of Kingaroy and housed in a gorgeous old colonial homestead.
Crane Wines is high in the Booie Range, which favours the vines with cool nightly temperatures, but also sublime views over the valley to the east.
You can spend the night in the beautiful homestead, as the end wing has been turned into a B&B, with the best vistas over the valley from the verandah.
Crane Wines makes sweet, dry, sparkling and fortified wines, and you can sample them all at the rustic cellar door in the company of the winemaker.
Also on offer is a variety of homemade jams and chutneys, as well as organic cosmetics produced on the estate.
11. Kingsley Grove Estate
South-west of Kingaroy, Kingsley Grove Estate prides itself on being a self-sustaining winery, with all of the grapes for their range grown on-site.
The vineyard was first planted in 1998 and was ready in 2002 on the year of the estate’s first commercial vintage.
The winery uses state-of-the-art equipment allowing the winemaker to produce wines in traditional styles, while innovating with new creations suiting Kingaroy’s humid subtropical climate.
The cellar door is open daily for tastings, and the range features reds like Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Shiraz, warm white varietals like Verdelho and Semillon, and a choice of rich fortified wines.
12. Pottique Lavender Farm
Another crop that does well in Kingaroy’s fertile soils is lavender, and you may be excited to know that there’s a farm for this herb is just outside the town.
A big selection of lavender products is available at the shop, from oil to soap, jams, chutney and dried lavender.
As well as a farm shop Pottique Lavender Farm has an antiques warehouse and a cafe serving Devonshire tea with delectable lavender scones.
The ideal time to come is May, June and July when the lavender field is in flower and you can head out to pick stems by the bunch.
13. Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre
A big plus point for the city’s visitor information centre is the location, opposite the silos and between the regional art gallery and heritage museum.
So if you’re in need of any pointers to get the most out of South Burnett, you won’t have to go far.
The centre offers a host of free services, from one-to-one advice, to booking accommodation and tours and providing leaflets for events, attractions and itineraries.
The staff are volunteers with a real love for their home, and a depth of knowledge that comes from it.
The centre’s shop also deserves a mention, selling many of the goodies we’ve mentioned in this list, like wine and peanut products.
14. Ringsfield House Museum
Meriting the short drive to Narango is this elegant homestead built in 1908 and designed by noted Queensland architect Robin Dods.
The house has had a few different roles, starting out as a fine residence, then becoming a maternity hospital (almost 4,000 babies were delivered here between 1942 and 1970), then serving as a Lifeline refuge before becoming a house museum in 1992. Ringsfield House stands out for its broad verandahs, and airy, outsized bedrooms.
There’s period furniture and historical displays inside, as well as a cafe for light meals or a hot drink in a refined setting.
15. Nanango Country Market
On the first Saturday of the month Nanango stages a gigantic market, touted as the largest of its kind in South East Queensland.
The Nanango Country Market is attended by an ever-changing contingent of up to 320 stallholders, so there’s always something different.
For a taster you’ll find seasonal fresh produce, honey, seafood, meat, poultry, cheese, plants, furniture, jewellery, toys, homewares, arts and crafts and pet supplies.
Bring an appetite because there’s also an enticing choice of food and coffee outlets.
15 Best Things to Do in Kingaroy (Australia):
- Kingaroy Heritage Museum
- The Peanut Van
- South Burnett Wine Region
- Local Heritage
- Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail
- Kingaroy Observatory
- Apex Park and Lookout
- Mount Wooroolin Lookout
- Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery
- Crane Wines
- Kingsley Grove Estate
- Pottique Lavender Farm
- Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre
- Ringsfield House Museum
- Nanango Country Market
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More information on PTSS
The PTSS health service directive is the overarching document, outlining the principles of the Scheme and contains mandatory outcomes and requirements to be achieved by the hospital and health services.
The PTSS protocol supports the health service directive to prescribe the mandatory requirements/steps to be taken by staff administering the Scheme.
The PTSS Guideline supports both the health service directive and the protocol, and provides detailed information on the Scheme, including eligibility criteria and the types of assistance available to eligible patients.
The PTSS Repatriation Policy outlines the requirements for the repatriation of deceased eligible PTSS patients on PTSS related travel.
Patients may be eligible for PTSS if they are required to travel more than 50 kilometres from the public hospital or health facility closest to their permanent place of residence to access eligible specialist medical services. The specialist medical services that are eligible for PTSS subsidies are:
- Allied health - only when provided as an essential component of eligible specialist medical services
- Anaesthesia including hyperbaric medicine
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology and hepatology
- Geriatric medicine
- Haematology
- Immunology and allergy
- Infectious diseases
- Intensive care medicine
- Internal medicine
- Medical oncology
- Nephrology (renal medicine)
- Ante and post-natal appointments are only covered if the patient is referred to a medical specialist i.e. not a general practitioner or midwife.
- Maternity and birthing services are covered only if the services or level of care required are not available at the patient's closest public hospital or health facility.
- Ophthalmology excluding laser refractive services
- Organ transplant (for organ recipients only)
- Paediatrics and child health
- Palliative medicine
- Radiation oncology
- Radiology, including but not limited to diagnostic radiology, diagnostic ultrasound and nuclear medicine
- Rehabilitation medicine including wheelchair fitting services
- Respiratory and sleep medicine
- Rheumatology
- Surgery, including but not limited to cardio-thoracic surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology (head and neck surgery), otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), oral and maxillofacial surgery, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery * including transgender services, urology and vascular surgery. * Plastic and reconstructive surgeries - only those attracting a Medicare rebate are eligible.
Patients who have already travelled for specialist medical treatment within the last 12 months and were unaware of PTSS, or required urgent appointments or admissions and did not have adequate time to obtain approval in advance, can submit a retrospective (past) PTSS application. Retrospective applications will be assessed against the same eligibility criteria as PTSS applications submitted prior to a specialist appointment.
If an approved patient's circumstances change, such as they travelled alone to receive treatment and subsequently required an escort to join them, a retrospective application can be submitted to subsidise an escort. Patients are only able to make one retrospective application which may include claims for multiple specialist appointments.
Patients are able to appeal the outcome of their application if they don't agree with the final decision.
An appeal should be lodged at the patient's local hospital or health facility within 30 calendar days of receiving notification of the outcome. Appeals lodged after this time may be accepted at the discretion of the local hospital or health facility.
During the appeals process, patients will be responsible for providing any additional information to support their appeal. This information will be considered along with their original application and assessed using the same criteria. Appeals should be assessed within five working days from the date of lodgement, but may take longer if additional information is required.
Patients can use this appeals form or one from their local hospital or health facility.
The following PTSS brochures and posters are available to download and display in local health facilities and community organisations.
PTSS DL brochure
PTSS DL brochure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
PTSS A3 posters
PTSS A3 posters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Patients can lodge a complaint or provide feedback on the Scheme either verbally or in writing to their local hospital or health facility. Each Hospital and Health Service has a complaints coordinator who reviews feedback for all the facilities in their area. Patients can contact the complaints coordinator to assist, even if a formal complaint has not been lodged.
The circumstances of the feedback/complaint should be clearly described, including times, dates, locations, names of persons involved, the particular issue, details of satisfactory resolution, and patient/carer's contact details.
Queensland Health's compliment and complaints process.
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Service Description The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) provides assistance to patients and in some cases their carers to enable them to access specialist medical services from which they are isolated. A subsidy is provided to approved patients and carers (escorts) to assist in the cost of travel and accommodation to the nearest specialist ...
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) provides financial assistance for eligible patients to access specialist medical services not available locally. Increased Patient Travel Subsidy rates, effective 1 July 2023. For more information see PTSS subsidies below.
Cafe. Kingaroy Hospital has a patient café near the hospital entrance. Wellbean Co. is an enterprise of the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation with 100% of profits from Wellbean Co Kingaroy supporting the Kingaroy Hospital.. The café is serving up barista-made coffees and drinks, as well as fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps and a daily selection of muffins and slices.
December 9, 2020. Kingaroy Hospital is again accepting Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme forms face-to-face, a Darling Downs Health spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday. southburnett.com.au was contacted earlier this year by a reader concerned a locked box had replaced the face-to-face service. The reader was worried there could be delays in payment ...
PTSS office address: Kingaroy Hospital, 166 Youngman Street, Kingaroy, 4610 Office hours: 9.00am - 1.00pm Monday - Friday. Chinchilla Hospital Ph: 4662 8882 ... [email protected] PTSS office address: Ground Floor, 100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas, 4814.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme helps with travel and accommodation costs for patients who need to use specialist medical services that aren't available in their local area. You can read more about the subsidy scheme on the Queensland Government website. Last updated: September 2024. Information for patients and visitors to Darling Downs ...
Your personal information is being collected in order to assess whether you are eligible to receive a subsidy under the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. The personal information provided by you will be securely stored and made available to appropriately authorised officers of Queensland Health. Personal information recorded on this form will not ...
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme helps with travel and accommodation costs for patients who need to use specialist medical services that aren't available in their local area. If you live in a rural and remote area, and have to travel more than 50 km to your local public hospital, you may be eligible for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. ...
Example: Bryan is a visually impaired patient travelling from Atherton to Cairns for specialist medical treatment. His PTSS application has been approved for private motor vehicle travel and an escort. As Bryan and his escort will travel together, they will receive one travel subsidy payment equal to $0.34 per kilometre for the return journey from Atherton Hospital to Cairns Hospital.
Use this online form to register with the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS). If you are already registered with the PTSS and your details have not changed you do not need to re-register. If your details have changed since you registered, use this form to update them. Additional Information. Field
The Queensland Government supports patients who need to travel, particularly rural and remote patients, to access specialist medical services through the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS). The scheme provides financial assistance to eligible patients (and approved escorts) who are required to travel more than 50 kilometres from their local ...
Patient registration— (Form A) Use this form to register with the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS). If you are already registered with the PTSS and your details have not changed you do not need to re-register. If your details have changed since you registered, use this form to update them. Register here for PTSS. Online form.
Mater recommends all patients travel with an escort or carer. All guests staying in Mater accommodation facilities are required to be able to care for themselves in a standard accommodation environment. ... All funds are used to support patient care and medical research at Mater. Location. 3 Allen Street (off Vulture Street) South Brisbane ...
Step 1 - Register. To be considered for a travel subsidy patients need to register with the PTSS. Patients who are already registered do not need to register again unless their details have changed. and submit it at any Queensland public hospital or health facility—in person or via email, fax or post. Patient travel offices have different ...
Service Description The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) provides assistance to patients and in some cases their carers to enable them to access specialist medical services from which they are isolated. A subsidy is provided to approved patients and carers (escorts) to assist in the cost of travel and accommodation to the nearest specialist medical service that is more than 50 km from the ...
Contact Details. Address 166 Youngman Street, Kingaroy, QLD 4610. Directions 166km to Toowoomba Hospital. Postal Address PO Box 333, Kingaroy, QLD 4610. Telephone 07 4162 0200. Fax Number 07 4162 0201. Opening Hours. Monday 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM. Tuesday 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM.
Frequently asked questions. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. More detailed information on the questions and answers in the headings can be found by clicking the link in the heading text. About PTSS. The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) provides financial assistance to ...
Overview of Kingaroy Hospital. Kingaroy Hospital is multispecilaity hospital in Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia. Find patient reviews, specialty ranking and compare with nearby hospitals. Hospital Type: Public
If you live in a rural and remote area, and have to travel more than 50 km to your local public hospital, you may be eligible for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme. Find out if you're eligible. The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme helps with travel and accommodation costs for patients who need to use specialist medical services that aren't ...
PTSS subsidies. New subsidy scheme rates apply for travel and accommodation appointments from 1 July 2023. $70 per night commercial accommodation. The private motor vehicle subsidy rate increases to 34c per kilometre. Full cost of the repatriation of a deceased patient to their place of residence is included in the Scheme.
Contact Details. Address Kingaroy Hospital, 166 Youngman Street, , Kingaroy, QLD 4610. Postal Address PO Box 333, Kingaroy, QLD 4610. Telephone 07 4162 0200. Fax Number 07 4162 0201. Opening Hours. Monday 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM. Tuesday 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM. Wednesday 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM.
Directly outside Kingaroy you'll be in picture-perfect wine country, and the next village or town is never far away. For a bite-sized trip you could amble or cycle to Crawford (5.3km) or Memerambi (11.1km), and read the interpretive boards laying out the railway's history. 6. Kingaroy Observatory.
More information on PTSS. is the overarching document, outlining the principles of the Scheme and contains mandatory outcomes and requirements to be achieved by the hospital and health services. supports the health service directive to prescribe the mandatory requirements/steps to be taken by staff administering the Scheme.