You may be eligible for travel assistance if:

1. You’ve been referred to the specialist you’re going to see by another specialist (not a GP)
   and
2. Both specialists are publicly funded – that is, they are part of a government-funded health and disability service (for example, a renal dialysis centre or a specialist disability service)
   and
3. You can answer ‘yes’ to one or more of the questions in the checklist below.

You can also use the National Travel Assistance eligibility tool to check your availability for travel assistance.

Checklist:

1. Do you travel more than:

• 80 km one way per visit (for a child)?
• 350 km one way per visit (for an adult)?

2. Do you visit a specialist 22 or more times in two months?
3. Do you visit a specialist six or more times in six months, and travel more than:

• 25 km one way per visit (for a child)?
• 50 km one way per visit (for an adult)?

4. Are you a Community Services Card holder and travel more than:

• 25 km one way per visit (for a child)?
• 80 km one way per visit (for an adult)?

Notes:

A child is anyone younger than 18 years of age at the time of treatment.

If you receive or are eligible for travel assistance from another provider, such as ACC, Work and Income, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Transport or the Ministry of Education, you may not be eligible for assistance under the National Travel Assistance Scheme.

Mileage is calculated from your residential address to the facility or hospital via the shortest route that is practical.