Travel subsidy now available to support BreastScreen Tasmania clients

A reimbursement scheme to support Tasmanians who need to travel to access their regular breast screening appointment is now in effect.

The temporary client travel subsidy has been introduced to support eligible Tasmanians to be screened who would normally have received a screening on Mobile Screening Unit Luna.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said the Government recognised the importance of breast screening and supported the establishment of the temporary client travel subsidy to support affected clients in rural and remote locations.

“A permanent solution is underway – however, this support is vitally important for the interim,’’ Minister Archer said.

“I have directed the Department of Health to do everything possible to expedite the replacement of the Mobile Screening Unit.

“This travel subsidy, as an interim measure to support clients in rural and remote locations, will ensure vital healthcare does not lapse for Tasmanians.”

Under the scheme, clients who need to travel 50km or more each way from their usual screening location to access an alternate BreastScreen Tasmania service will be eligible for a subsidy.

Meanwhile, those who travel 100km or more each way from their usual screening location to an alternate BreastScreen Tasmania site will also be eligible for a reimbursement towards accommodation costs.

The temporary scheme will include all clients whose appointment was cancelled or missed in 2025 and 2026 due to the decommissioning of the Mobile Screening Unit known as Luna, retrospectively from the date Luna was decommissioned in April 2025. BreastScreen Tasmania will contact eligible clients with information on how they can access this assistance.

BreastScreen Tasmania is also continuing its partnership with cohealth and other community organisations to facilitate free charter buses from the East Coast to alternate screening locations, with more to be scheduled as required.

The BreastScreen Tasmania team is communicating with affected clients as appropriate to ensure access to free screening mammogram at an alternate BST site is maintained, and to resolve any barriers to access the service at the individual level.

For more information, visit: Breast screening | Tasmanian Department of Health