Funded Compression Garments in Australia: Scheme Guides
Compression garments are funded in Australia through a patchwork of state health programs, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the NDIS. Each scheme has its own eligibility rules, prescriber requirements, paperwork and way of supplying garments — and most of them order the garments themselves rather than reimbursing you. These guides explain each scheme in plain English, checked against the official sources on 28 Sep 2026, so you know what to ask your prescriber and where a private retailer like us fits in.
The one thing to understand first
EnableNSW, SWEP, Queensland Health and DVA supply garments through their own contracted or registered suppliers after a prescriber lodges paperwork. They generally do not reimburse private purchases. Compression Stockings Online is not a contracted or registered supplier for any of these schemes. The NDIS is different: self-managed and plan-managed participants can buy low-cost assistive technology from any supplier, including us, and claim it; NDIA-managed participants must use registered providers, and we are not NDIS-registered. Whatever the scheme, first sets, trial pairs, extra sets, different colours and garments for travel, work or pregnancy usually sit outside the funded allocation — that is where a retailer helps.
Scheme guides
EnableNSW (New South Wales)
NSW Health’s assistive technology program funds long-term compression garments after a successful six-week trial, ordered through the NSW Government contract. Two sets per limb every six months, prescribed on Form ENAB0027 by an ALA-trained clinician, with a $100 annual co-payment for Bands 1–2. The first set and trial garments are not funded.
SWEP Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (Victoria)
Victoria’s State-wide Equipment Program subsidises up to four sets per affected limb each year for adults (six for children): $150 per ready-to-wear set, $300 made-to-measure, plus a one-off $60 donner. A SWEP-registered practitioner lodges the application with a registered supplier’s quote; SWEP orders the garments and you pay any gap.
Queensland Health Compression Garment Scheme (and MASS)
Queensland supplies compression garments through a statewide Queensland Health scheme delivered by each Hospital and Health Service, not through MASS, which does not list garments as a category. Eligible Queensland residents aged 16 and over receive two garments per body part, with two replacements every six months, ordered by an eligible prescriber through REDCap (or MASSeApply in Metro South).
DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program
Veteran Gold Card holders, and White Card holders with an accepted condition, can receive medical compression garments through RAP. A nurse, physiotherapist, podiatrist, GP, specialist or OT completes the D0992 order form and sends it to a DVA-contracted supplier; custom garments, and quantities above the RAP schedule limit, need prior approval. Allied health prescribers need a GP or specialist referral.
NDIS
Off-the-shelf compression garments under $1,500 count as low-cost assistive technology paid from Core – Consumables, with no quote or approval needed for low-risk items. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can buy from any supplier and claim with a tax invoice showing the ABN and item description; NDIA-managed participants must use a registered provider. NDIS guidance also points people managing lymphoedema to their state scheme.
Quick comparison
| Scheme | Who lodges · Supplied how · Your cost |
|---|---|
| EnableNSW | ALA-trained clinician on ENAB0027 · EnableNSW orders via state contract · $100/yr (Bands 1–2) or 20% of items $800+ (Band 3) |
| SWEP (Vic) | SWEP-registered practitioner online with supplier quote · SWEP orders from registered supplier · Gap above $150/$300 per set |
| Queensland Health | Eligible prescriber via REDCap/MASSeApply · HHS or contracted supplier delivers to prescriber · Described as free |
| DVA RAP | Authorised prescriber on D0992 · DVA-contracted supplier · Delivery at no cost to you; ask DVA about any contribution for upgrades |
| NDIS | You (or plan manager) using Core – Consumables · Any supplier if self/plan-managed; registered provider if NDIA-managed · From plan funds, under $1,500 low-cost AT |
How we help, whichever scheme you use
- Matching a prescription. Tell us the class (mmHg), length, style and brand your prescriber wrote down; we stock Sigvaris, JOBST, Venosan, Juzo and Bauerfeind as an authorised stockist.
- Getting the size right. Our sizing calculator takes a minute, and our Sydney team can check your measurements over the phone on (02) 9062 3243.
- Paperwork that works. Tax invoices with our ABN (58 635 434 507), item descriptions, class and size on each line; itemised quotes with ABN, GST and delivery on request.
- Fast delivery and size swaps. Dispatched from Sydney within two business days, free over $150, with size swaps on unopened items under our returns policy.
Compression Stockings Online is not registered or contracted with EnableNSW, SWEP, Queensland Health, DVA or the NDIS, and does not decide eligibility. Each guide lists the official sources it was checked against on 28 Sep 2026; scheme rules change, so confirm the current position with your prescriber or the scheme before ordering.