Apply for PTSS

To be eligible for PTSS, you must:

• be an Australian citizen, or hold Australian permanent resident status;
• reside in WA; and
• have one or more severe or permanent disabilities from the categories below, that will always prevent you from using conventional public transport.

Mobility disability

To be eligible for PTSS under the mobility disability category, you must have a condition that limits physical mobility or impacts your functional capacity to use public transport. This may be determined through assessment of:

• use of walking or mobility aids (such as a wheelchair);
• capacity to navigate vertical steps;
• capacity to transition from sitting to standing, and standing to sitting;
• treatment or rehabilitation being undertaken,
• effect of any disability on your ability to access public transport;
• if the condition is stable, improving or deteriorating;
• medical evidence provided to support your application; and
• other considerations as required.

Vision disability

To be eligible for PTSS under the vision disability category, you are required to have a confirmed diagnosis of legal blindness. Information to assess your eligibility under this category may include: 

• Medical evidence:
  • an ophthalmologist’s report; or 
  • documentation of your visual acuity readings using the Snellen scale. 
• Information on your condition:
  • any treatment or rehabilitation being undertaken; and
  • whether the condition is improving or deteriorating.

Cognitive or intellectual disability

A cognitive or intellectual disability may affect your ability to plan a journey and find your way around independently in the community, preventing you from using public transport independently. Information to assess your eligibility under this category may include:

• Medical evidence:
  • Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score;
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA); 
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) report (or section);
  • Aged Care Assessment Team report; or
  • other relevant report or evidence, as determined by your medical practitioner.

Determination of a person’s eligibility under this category may include:

• Medical evidence such as a:
  • Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score;
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA); 
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) report (or section);
  • Aged Care Assessment Team report; or
  • Other relevant report / evidence, as determined by the medical practitioner.
• Details of treatment or rehabilitation being undertaken.
• The severity of the condition and detail regarding its effect on your ability to access public transport.

Factors or conditions that are not considered

Factors or conditions that cannot be considered in determining your eligibility are:

• anti-social behaviour;
• vision impairment that is not confirmed as legally blind;
• mobility impairment that is episodic only; 
• the lack of availability of, or proximity to, public transport; and
• any issues not related to a person being prevented from using conventional public transport by their disability including: 
  • the length of journeys; 
  • having to transfer between services; 
  • inconvenient timetables;
  • social/employment factors;
  • climatic/environmental factors;
  • personal security concerns in catching public transport;
  • income levels;
  • eligibility for other subsidies or a pension; and
  • temporary impairments.

Completing the application form

1. Fill out Part A of the Passenger Transport Subsidy Scheme application form (ODT47) and sign the declaration.  
    
2. Book an appointment with your medical practitioner. Note: you are responsible for any fees or charges associated with this medical assessment.
    
3. Read the Applicant identity documents information further down this page (and on page 2 of the form). Attach copies of one identity document from List 1 and one identity document from List 2.  If these do not show your WA residential address, also attach a copy of one document from List 3. 
    
4. Attach a colour photograph of yourself that meets the Photograph requirements outlined below (and on page 2 of the form). 
    
5. Take your application form and photograph to the appointment with your medical practitioner. 
    
6. Your medical practitioner will complete Part B of the form and sign the back of your photograph to certify you are the person they have assessed. 
    
7. Ask your medical practitioner if there are any medical documents that you need to submit to support your diagnosis and application. If there are, attach them to this application. 
    
8. Submit your form to DoT via email or post: 
   Email: ondemandtransport@transport.wa.gov.au
   Mail: On-demand Transport 
   GPO Box R1290 
   PERTH WA 6844

Standard subsidy (50%)

For people who don’t use a wheelchair.

• 50% of the fare (up to a maximum subsidy of $25) when travelling in a conventional taxi.

Wheelchair subsidy (50% or 75%)

For people who have demonstrated they require a wheelchair.

• 50% of the fare (up to a maximum subsidy of $25) when travelling in a conventional taxi.
• 75% of the fare (up to a maximum subsidy of $35) when travelling in a wheelchair in a wheelchair accessible taxi.

No, there are no age restrictions on who can access PTSS.

If your PTSS application is unsuccessful, DoT will notify you via mail. The letter will contain:

• an explanation for why your application was refused, which may include;
  • your PTSS application being incorrectly completed; or
  • reasons you are ineligible.
• information on other transportation subsidies you may be eligible for;
• details of next steps, including how to reapply; and
• if you decide to reapply for PTSS, your responsibilities for any fees and charges associated with medical assessments.