Queensland Compression Garments: MASS and the QLD Health Scheme

Queenslanders often search for “MASS compression garments”, but the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme is only part of the picture. Compression garments in Queensland are supplied through Queensland Health’s statewide Compression Garment Scheme, delivered by the Hospital and Health Services (HHS), with MASS involved only as the ordering system in one region. This guide separates the two and explains who qualifies, what your prescriber lodges and where a private retailer fits. Checked against Queensland Health’s guideline page (updated 24 July 2026), its eligibility criteria document and the MASS guidelines on 28 Sep 2026.

MASS versus the Compression Garment Scheme

MASS subsidises a defined list of aids (continence, communication, daily living and mobility aids, medical-grade footwear, orthoses, oxygen) for permanent Queensland residents with a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, DVA Pensioner Concession Card (not Gold Card) or Queensland Seniors Card and a permanent, stabilised condition. It buys through contracted suppliers and does not reimburse private purchases. Compression garments are not on its list.

The Compression Garment Scheme is a Queensland Health clinical program. It supplies medical compression garments to eligible people following a detailed assessment by a qualified prescriber, and it does not require a concession card — Medicare enrolment is enough. Being told you “don’t qualify for MASS” does not by itself mean you are ineligible for garments.

Who typically qualifies

Queensland Health’s eligibility criteria require you to be aged 16 or older, a permanent Queensland resident, and to have a formal diagnosis of lymphoedema documented. You also need one of: Medicare enrolment, a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card, a Permanent Protection or Humanitarian visa, or asylum seeker status. The criteria do not cover people under 16.

You are not eligible while admitted to hospital as an inpatient for this treatment, or where another program is responsible — the criteria name WorkCover, the National Injury Insurance Scheme, and the NDIS where the NDIS fully subsidises the garment — or where third-party insurance fully covers the cost. The prescriber and HHS decide eligibility, not the retailer. Ask your HHS lymphoedema service if you are unsure.

What your prescriber provides

• A detailed assessment and measurements, and the garment specification (class, style, ready-to-wear or custom).
• The Compression Garment Order Form, lodged through REDCap (all HHS regions except Metro South) or MASSeApply (Metro South).
• Their credentials: AHPRA registration or SPA membership, and National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register listing if in private practice.
• A fit check when the garments arrive, since delivery is made to the prescriber rather than to you.

How to order with Queensland Health funding

1. Get assessed by an eligible prescriber. Your GP can refer you to a public HHS lymphoedema service, or you can see a private OT, physiotherapist, speech pathologist or podiatrist on the National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register.
2. Prescriber lodges the order. They complete the Compression Garment Order Form in REDCap (or MASSeApply in Metro South) and submit it to your HHS.
3. HHS supplies the garments. The HHS or its contracted supplier delivers two garments per body part to your prescriber, who fits them with you. Two replacement garments per body part may be provided every six months.
4. Fill the gaps privately. If you want additional sets, a second colour, or need a pair sooner than the scheme can supply, order directly from us — dispatched from Sydney within two business days.

Where Compression Stockings Online fits

We are an Australian-owned retailer (TW Marketing Pty Ltd, ABN 58 635 434 507) and an authorised stockist of Sigvaris, JOBST, Venosan, Juzo and Bauerfeind. Compression Stockings Online is not a Queensland Health or HHS contracted supplier and is not part of MASS, so we cannot supply garments under the scheme or lodge or influence an order. We can:

• Match your prescription. Give us the class (mmHg), style, length and brand your prescriber has recorded and we will find the equivalent in stock.
• Get the size right. Our sizing calculator takes a minute; our Sydney team can also check your measurements over the phone on (02) 9062 3243.
• Supply the extras. Spare sets, a lighter class for travel or work, and accessories are private purchases at any time, with free delivery over $150.
• Provide tax invoices with ABN, item descriptions, class and size for private health insurance claims, and swap unopened items for another size under our returns policy.

Queensland Health moved compression garment ordering to REDCap on 5 May 2026 and updated its guideline page on 24 July 2026. Scheme garments come through the HHS and its own contracted suppliers. If your prescriber is unfamiliar with the current process, the department’s onboarding contact is AH_CETU@health.qld.gov.au.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Queensland compression garment scheme part of MASS?

Not in the way people expect. MASS (the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme) does not list compression garments among its funded categories. Queensland Health supplies compression garments through a separate statewide Compression Garment Scheme delivered by each Hospital and Health Service. The one overlap is that prescribers in Metro South HHS lodge their compression garment orders through the MASSeApply system.

How many garments are supplied?

Eligible patients are entitled to two garments per body part in a single supply, and two replacement garments per body part may be provided every six months.

Do I have to pay anything?

The Queensland Health guideline describes the garments as free to eligible adults. If you want extra pairs, a different colour, or garments for use outside the scheme, those are private purchases.

Can a private physiotherapist or OT prescribe under the scheme?

Yes, if they hold the relevant degree (OT, physiotherapy, speech pathology or podiatry), AHPRA registration or Speech Pathology Australia membership, and are on the National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register. From 5 May 2026 all prescribers must use REDCap (Metro South uses MASSeApply).

Can I buy from Compression Stockings Online and claim from Queensland Health?

No. The scheme supplies garments through the Hospital and Health Service or its contracted supplier, delivered to your prescriber for a fit check, and Compression Stockings Online is not one of those suppliers. It does not reimburse private purchases. We can help with anything the scheme does not cover: additional sets, sooner supply while you wait, sizing help and tax invoices for private health insurance.