Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to add to an answer that I provided on Thursday 5 March to Senator Ruston in relation to proton beam therapy. I indicated I'd return to the chamber if I had more information to provide.

Senator Ruston sought information about paediatric access to the Medical Treatment Overseas Program. This program helps approved Australians who have a life-threatening medical condition access life-saving treatment overseas where treatment is not available in Australia, such as proton beam therapy. The MTOP program requires a medical assessment to be undertaken against established eligibility criteria to determine whether an application will be supported. The assessment will consider whether the therapy—in this example, proton beam therapy—provides significant improvement in health outcomes compared to any alternative treatment available in Australia, such as photon radiation. Where applications are not approved, it is usually because photon radiation will provide equivalent outcomes for the individual patient.

Between 1 July 2021 and 20 June 2025, 112 applications were considered by MTOP. Of these, 91 were approved and 21 were not approved. The department has worked with the sector to streamline the process for MTOP applications for proton beam therapy. From 20 August 2025, a photon versus proton comparative plan is no longer required for some paediatric and young adult patients, supporting these patients to access PBT treatment more quickly.