In a state with a population as widespread as Western Australia, it is not feasible to provide all the specialist medical services people might need, close to where they live. Instead, the Government provides subsidies to help patients and carers travel when specialist services are not locally available. Subsidies are provided through the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, administered by the Department of Health.

This audit examined the Department of Health’s administration of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme. We looked to see whether the Department was applying appropriate standards of governance to ensure accountability, transparency and fair and equitable customer service.

There has been a significant increase in demand for the scheme in the last three years. The number of subsidised trips has increased 43 per cent from 55 110 to 78 772 per year. Over the same period, the cost of subsidies has increased 78 per cent from $19 million to $34 million per year.

The Department has implemented a new electronic system to help streamline the application and assessment processes to meet the increased demand for the scheme. However in doing so, they have missed some opportunities to implement more robust assessment and approvals processes. While the scheme is being appropriately administered by the Department, some processes need to be strengthened to minimise the risk of inappropriate payments being made.