Medical Travel Assistance for Rural Families

Highlights

• Government programs provide financial support and services for people living in regional, rural, or remote areas, including farmers, students, and others.
• Financial assistance can help cover the costs of raising children, accessing health care, and coping with financial hardship.
• If you live in a rural or remote area and need to travel for medical care, you may be eligible for financial aid, such as travel assistance programs that reimburse some travel and accommodation costs.
• There are also various health, transportation, accommodation, and crisis support options available to eligible individuals in rural or remote communities.

In This Article

• Healthcare Travel Support for Rural Families
• Financial Aid and Services for Regional Communities
• Coping with Financial Stress: Support Options
• Tools and Assistance

Healthcare Travel Support for Rural Families

If you live in a rural or remote area and need to travel for health care, financial aid may be available. Travel assistance programs provide reimbursement for some travel and accommodation costs.

Each region has its own program, which covers part or all of transport costs and contributes to accommodation expenses when travel is necessary for medical care.

Rebates may be available for telehealth appointments, helping individuals in remote locations access specialists without the need for travel. Check with your healthcare provider about telehealth options to save time and costs.

You may qualify for higher medical rebates if your family meets the safety net threshold for medical expenses.

Financial Aid and Services for Regional Communities

Government programs provide various payments and services for individuals in these areas.

Payments for farmers include:

• Farm Household Allowance
• Freight Equalisation Scheme

Payments for students include:

• Fares Allowance
• Study assistance programs
• Relocation scholarships
• Tertiary access payments
• Assistance for isolated children

Financial help for carers:

Carers of children with disabilities or medical conditions may qualify for government benefits such as:

• Carer Payment (income support)
• Carer Allowance (a supplementary payment)

Additional financial aid may also be available. Carers can access government-funded services by contacting relevant support agencies.

Coping with Financial Stress: Support Options

Financial difficulties can be stressful for individuals and families. Community support organizations provide assistance to those in crisis.

Some resources offering financial aid, support, or counseling include:

• Carer support services
• Social work services
• Crisis assistance programs
• Financial counselling services – for free financial advice
• Crisis support and suicide prevention hotlines – available 24/7

Rural financial counselling services offer free, independent, and confidential assistance to help farmers and small rural businesses with financial planning.

Tools and Assistance

Parents can access support from maternal child health nurses through helplines and video consultations, available daily.