🤝 Wamba Wamba Services

Services for Aboriginal people in Wamba Wemba country — Swan Hill & Mallee, Victoria

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🏥 Health Information

Understanding health coverage as an Aboriginal person

For: If you have questions about health coverage

What health services Aboriginal people in Victoria are entitled to, including Medicare, Closing the Gap, and bulk billing at ACCHOs.

Understanding health coverage as an Aboriginal person

There are specific health rights and services available to Aboriginal people in Australia. This guide explains what’s available and how to access it.

Medicare — everyone in Australia is entitled to it

Medicare is Australia’s public health system. If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you’re entitled to Medicare. Medicare covers:

You should already have a Medicare card. If you don’t, you can enrol at servicesaustralia.gov.au or at any Services Australia office.

ACCHOs — bulk billed, culturally safe healthcare

ACCHO stands for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. These are health services run by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people. In the Mallee region:

ACCHOs bulk-bill through Medicare — this means there is no out-of-pocket cost to see a GP at an ACCHO. You don’t pay anything.

ACCHOs also provide culturally safe care — the staff understand Aboriginal culture and community. This matters for healthcare.

Closing the Gap scripts — cheaper medicine

The Closing the Gap (CTG) Pharmacy Program provides cheaper medicines for Aboriginal people with chronic disease. If you have a chronic condition (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, etc.), ask your GP or Aboriginal Health Worker about CTG scripts.

With CTG, you pay:

You don’t automatically get CTG — you need to be registered by your GP or ACCHO health service. Ask your doctor or health worker.

PBS medicines — $7.60 for concession card holders

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) keeps many medicines affordable. If you have a concession card (Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, etc.), most PBS-listed medicines cost $7.60 per script.

If you don’t have a concession card but need expensive medicine, ask your doctor about alternatives that are PBS-listed.

Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTIS)

If you need to travel to a specialist appointment that is more than 100km away from your home, you may be eligible for the Victorian Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTIS). This helps with:

Ask your GP or ACCHO health worker to help you apply for PTIS — they know how it works.

Transport Access Scheme

If you have a permanent disability or chronic condition that makes it hard to get to appointments, you may be eligible for the Transport Access Scheme (TAS) in Victoria. This gives you half-price public transport fares.

Apply through Access Canberra or contact your local community health service for help.

Your right to refuse treatment

You have the right to refuse medical treatment. If a doctor or hospital recommends something you’re not sure about, you can:

For serious conditions, always get a second opinion — especially if surgery or invasive treatment is being recommended.

Your medical records are yours

You have the right to your own medical records. You can request them from any GP, hospital, or health service you’ve attended. Ask the reception staff — they are required to provide them.

If you need specialist care

If you need to see a specialist (cardiologist, endocrinologist, etc.), your GP or ACCHO can refer you. At a public hospital, specialist appointments are bulk-billed if you’re referred by a GP and have a Medicare card.

If you’re referred to a private specialist, ask whether they bulk-bill — some do, especially for concession card holders.

Key contacts

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