Patients are expected to make their own transport arrangements when attending health care appointments.
Depending on your circumstances, you can consider one of the following options:
- Driving yourself or getting help from a family member, carer or friend.
- Community transport services such as those available through My Aged Care, the NDIS or the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
- Public transport, such as buses or trains. Transport for NSW has information on a public transport trip planner to help you.
- Taxis or ride-share services.
You should confirm with your health care professional if you are safe to drive or leave the hospital alone after your appointment. Some health care appointments require you to be discharged into the care of a family member, carer or friend.
Hospital parking assistance
Parking concession rates are available for eligible patients and visitors when parked in the hospital’s gated public car parks. Learn more about obtaining concession rates and validating parking.
Taxi transport subsidy scheme
Residents of NSW who are unable to use public transport because of a severe and permanent disability may be eligible for a subsidy of 50% of a taxi fare.
Application forms can be completed by patients with their GPs. Download and complete an application form. Then visit Service NSW to apply online.
Isolated Patient Transport and Accommodation Assistance Scheme
The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS), provides financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs when you need to travel more than 100km one way or 200km within a week for specialised medical treatment that is not available locally.
Visit the IPTAAS website for eligibility criteria and to register. For help, call 1800 IPTAAS (1800 478 227) or email Iptaas@health.nsw.gov.au.
Community transport
Community transport is a government subsidised service for eligible seniors, pensioners, and those with accessibility needs or limited access to public transport.
Services vary between operators. Contact your local operator to check if their services suit your specific needs. Local operators include Active Care Network, Peppercorn, Lithgow Community Transport.
Services may require an approved care package such as through My Aged Care or NDIS.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients
Blue Mountains Aboriginal Community Transport provide transport for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over the age of 50. They service clients living in the Blue Mountains, between Mt Victoria and Glenbrook and can get you to medical appointments in Penrith and Lithgow as well.
Visit Blue Mountains Aboriginal Community Resource Centre for eligibility and registration requirements.
You can also access short-term transport support via the Close The Gap - Integrated Care Team. To arrange, call (02) 4706 0299 (NBMLHD) or (02) 8080 0522 (WSLHD).
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Veteran Gold and White Card holders may have access to the Booked Car with Driver (BCWD) service, where DVA arranges taxi or hire car transport on their behalf with no out of pocket expenses.
Visit the Booked Car with Driver service page for more information or call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).