National Travel Assistance Scheme

The National Travel Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to People who are referred by their specialist to see another specialist, and need to travel long distances, or travel frequently.

Both specialists must be part of a publicly funded health and disability support service, e.g. renal dialysis centre or a specialist disability service.

What does travel assistance mean for me?

When your publicly funded specialist (not a GP) has referred you onto another publicly funded specialist, you may be eligible to receive travel assistance under this scheme.

If eligible, you will receive assistance towards your travel and possibly your accommodation costs.  Your specialist will need to approve accommodation costs.  Your specialist will need to approve accommodation and specialised transport needs, this includes taxi, mobility taxi, or air travel.

Travel by private vehicle or public transport is assessed on registration.

Michelle Powell is the Patient Transport and Accommodation Co-ordinator at the Northland District Health Board, Michelle covers the area from Wellsford to the Cape.  Please contact Michelle if you have any queries regarding this scheme.  Ph: 09 430 4101 ext 7405 or email

If you meet the criteria you will receive assistance towards your travel and possibly your accommodation costs.

The criteria for an adult are:

• Being a Community Services Card holder and travel more than 80kms one way per visit
• Visiting a specialist six or more times in six months and travel more than 50km one way per visit
• Travel more than 350km one way per visit
• Visit a specialist 22 or more times in two months

The criteria for a child are:

• Anyone under the age of 18yrs
• Travel more than 80 km one way per visit
• Visit a specialist 22 or more times in two months
• Visit a specialist six or more times in six months and travel more than 25km one way per visit
• Are a Community Services Card holder and travel more than 25km one way per visit

Accommodation:

• If you are eligible and your accommodation is approved by your specialist you will be able to claim for some assistance
• If you live 100kms away you can claim for accommodation assistance
• If your health or disability specialist recommends a support person to assist you, you can claim accommodation costs
• Children eligible for travel and accommodation assistance will always be eligible for assistance towards support persons costs

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