The aim of the Ivanhoe Homes is to provide comfortable and supportive, low cost accommodation to patients and their carer coming to Melbourne for hospital treatment. Our rooms consist of 2 single beds, and only one room per patient is allowed.
Any hospital in Melbourne is eligible to refer patients and carers to the home for accommodation. Initial bookings must be made/confirmed by a doctor, liaison nurse, social worker, or other professional at the treating hospital. Guests who have previously stayed with us may make subsequent bookings directly themselves (if they have stayed within the last 24 months) to attend hospital appointments or treatment. A new referral will be required if they have not stayed within the last 2 years.
Unfortunately due to high demand we are not accepting a patient or carer who lives under 100kms from the treating hospital.
We accept patients claiming TAC, Workcover and State Patient Transport Schemes. The cost to residents is kept to a minimum and is usually tied to the amount claimable from Workcover, TAC or the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme of their home state. Eligibility and payments vary from state to state.
Upon your arrival we will do our best to notify you of our accommodation costs and/or the various claim requirements. If you are in any doubt regarding accommodation costs please to not hesitate to speak to Sandra or Leila in the office asap.
We accept cash and have EFTPOS facilities. We do not provide invoices to guests; however, upon payment we do provide receipts.
If you are staying less than 5 nights we ask that you pay upfront on arrival. If eligible, you may then claim back the accommodation cost from the relevant government department.
RATES (Based on the current relevant State Government schemes):
If claiming from DHHS (all costs are excluding GST as a non-for profit we do not charge GST) :
Victoria: $45 per person / per night (this is for the patient and one escort).
Queensland: $70 per person / per night.
Northern Territory: $60 per person / per night.
Tasmania: $90.90 per person / per night.
South Australia: $40 per person / per night.
Western Australia: $110 per person / per night or $125 for two people per night.
New South Wales: $75 per night for the first 7 nights. $120 per night from the 8th night onwards.
ACT: $50 per person / per night.
DVA Cardholders $111.80 per night and are required to pay on arrival and then submit claim to DVA for reimbursement. No bulk billing allowed.
Cancer Trial patients are not covered under their State Scheme, therefore the cost will be $45 per person per night regardless of which state they live in.
Children aged: 0-1 year old – no charge 2 – 15 year old – $15 per child / per night
(Children are permitted to stay only on Friday and Saturday nights unless they are the patient and only if we have a suitable ground floor room available)
An additional person staying in the room will be an out of pocket cost of $45 per person / per night
Payment is required on arrival.
Those staying longer than 5 nights may be able to have their accommodation Bulk Billed. If eligible we ask that these arrangements be made at the start of your stay to ensure all the required paperwork is in order. Bulk Billing is only available for eligible Victorian, NSW and Tasmanian residents.
If you have made Bulk Billing arrangements for your accommodation and choose to travel home on a weekend you cannot claim the travel cost mid treatment if you wish to keep the same room. If you wish to claim travel you will be required to check out of your room and if the stay is 5 nights or under each week then the room cost is to be paid for and claimed back along with the travel cost by the patient.
Here is more information on the Government Assistance Schemes
The Ivanhoe Homes relies on this accommodation income together with support from many community groups, particularly in regional areas, for our continued operation. The Ivanhoe Homes does not receive any government financial or other support and do not seek it. We prefer to be independent as far as possible. The support of service groups and individuals from towns whose residents have benefited from the home have helped sustain our operations. Many former guests remain active supporters.