Getting Started with Community Transport
Community Transport: Wollongong-Shellharbour (CTWS) is here to provide safe and reliable transport options for people who live independently, but who find it difficult to access private or public transport.
As a guide, you're probably eligible for subsidised Community Transport services if you have no access or limited access to transport and are:
✓ 65 years or older
✓ 50 years or older and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
✓ Under 65 years of age and transport disadvantaged. This means you have limited or no access to private transport and can’t make use of buses or trains for financial, geographic, cultural or social reasons.
How to Apply
You will need a referral for Community Transport services from My Aged Care. You can either call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or you can apply for an Aged Care assessment online via the My Aged Care website. Have your Medicare card ready and expect the application to take around 20 minutes.
If you are deemed eligible for support, you will then be referred for an Assessment in your home. The assessor will usually contact you within two weeks to arrange a time to do this.
For more information, please see the My Aged Care FAQs online.
Please note that people who are on a Home Care Package (HCP), receive funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or who live in residential accommodation - such as aged care homes - are currently not eligible for subsidised transport through CTWS.
Please call us on 1300 987 422 between 8am and 4.30pm weekdays.
We will ask you a few questions about your circumstances to determine your eligibility for our services. This involves asking about your ability to get around, whether or not you’ll need assistance from your home and getting into a vehicle, your emergency contact details and other circumstances. This information also helps us determine whether you meet the criteria set by our funding bodies, and how we can best serve you.
Please note that people who are on a Home Care Package (HCP), receive funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or who live in residential accommodation - such as aged care homes - are currently not eligible for subsidised transport through CTWS.
What happens once I'm registered?
We will send you a welcome pack which includes our Service User Handbook. This includes more details about how to book, changing or cancelling an appointment, how we use your information and other important information.
If you are over 65 years of age, we'll also send you a copy of the Aged Care Quality Standards Charter that outlines your rights as a service user.
Once you are registered, you can start booking transport for routine events and one-off appointments, request taxi eTickets or even join our outings and trips. You will be invoiced at the end of the month for all trips taken.
Service Area
Community Transport: Wollongong-Shellharbour (CTWS) is funded to provide subsidised transport services to people living independently in the area between Austinmer in Wollongong’s north to Dunmore in Shellharbour. Your destination doesn’t necessarily have to be within this area, however, higher fees will apply for longer distances. You'll be advised of trip costs at the time of booking.
For people who live outside of our service area:
- If you live in the Wollongong City Council area north of Austinmer, please contact Northern Illawarra Neighbour Aid Inc.
- If you live south of Dunmore in the Kiama LGA, please contact Blue Haven Care.
For assistance
Please speak with one of our friendly and experienced team by calling 1300 987 422 between 8am and 4.30pm on weekdays.
You can also use the button below to ask about our services.