Cancer Council SA welcomed Premier Peter Malinauskas’s pre-election commitment earlier this year to reform the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)—changes that were strongly advocated for by our team alongside other for-purpose organisations and health consumers.
Commencing for the 2026/7 financial year:
- The PATS accommodation subsidy will increase from $44 per night to $110 for individuals.
- For those travelling with an approved escort, the accommodation subsidy increases from $88 per night to $154.
- The PATS travel subsidy will expand to include people who travel a minimum of 300km per week to access oncology or renal services.
Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands said boosting the PATS subsidy would deliver a practical impact for thousands of South Australians who rely on accommodation and support services.
This is truly a transformative step for our sector and a major win for the regional patients, families and communities that are required to travel to access medical specialist services that are not available to them locally.
“Cancer Council SA has been proud to stand alongside other accommodation providers and for-purpose organisations to advocate for meaningful enhancements to the PATS scheme—not only for people living with cancer, but for all those who need life-changing treatment in our state.
“By reducing the financial strain, these reforms will help people access specialist care earlier, stay on treatment longer, and focus on recovery. That improved access will save lives.”
The PATS reforms will also help underpin the operational sustainability of Cancer Council SA’s 120-room Greenhill Lodge, meaning the organisation can explore additional accommodation capacity to meet rising demand for services.
Ms Rowlands said long-term assurance around service delivery at Greenhill Lodge would enable Cancer Council SA to look at growth opportunities, including new supportive accommodation in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
“We are very excited to explore an opportunity to build a second lodge in Adelaide’s north, which could accommodate an additional 2,500 people with cancer and their families each year.”
The $60 million project would be located within 10 kilometres of the Playford Health and Wellbeing Precinct surrounding the Lyell McEwin Hospital and would offer up to 50 rooms of supportive accommodation.
