SWEP Victoria: Compression Garment Program Explained

The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP), run by Grampians Health for the Victorian Department of Health, administers the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP). It is Victoria’s main public route to subsidised compression garments. This guide covers how it works, who qualifies, what your practitioner lodges, current subsidy levels and where a private retailer fits. Checked against SWEP’s program pages and the June 2026 Victorian Aids and Equipment Program guidelines on 28 Sep 2026.

SWEP Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program at a glance

Run by SWEP (Grampians Health) on behalf of the Victorian Department of Health
Who it is for Under SWEP’s criteria: permanent Victorian residents (including refugees and asylum seekers) with a medically confirmed diagnosis of primary, secondary or sub-clinical lymphoedema, who are not covered for the same need by the NDIS, WorkSafe Victoria or the TAC
Subsidy (per affected limb, per 12 months) Ready-to-wear: up to $150 per set. Made-to-measure: up to $300 per set. Adjustable wrap system kit: $150. Donner: $60, once only
Quantities Adults: 4 sets, or 3 sets + 1 wrap kit, or 2 wrap kits. Under 18: 6 sets, or 5 sets + 1 wrap kit, or 2 wrap kits. Plus one donner
Who applies A SWEP-registered practitioner (AHPRA-registered OT, physio, RN, nurse practitioner or doctor with an ALA-endorsed course, or an ALA Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner)
Paperwork Online application, LCGP Eligibility Form, and a supplier quote on the LCGP Quotation Template
Your cost Any gap between the subsidy and the quoted price, paid via SWEP’s gap funding form
How garments are supplied SWEP orders from the quoting supplier after approval and has garments delivered to you. Suppliers must be registered with SWEP

How the program works

The LCGP is a subsidy, not a reimbursement. Your practitioner assesses you, decides which garments suit, gets a quote from a SWEP-registered supplier and lodges the application online with the eligibility form attached. Once SWEP confirms you are eligible, it places the order with the supplier and the garments are delivered to your nominated address. If the quote is higher than the subsidy, SWEP sends you a gap funding form so you can nominate how you will pay the difference.

Quotes must show TGA-registered garments meeting the relevant standard for their compression class (I–IV), itemised with delivery, GST and the supplier’s ABN.

Who typically qualifies

Two layers apply: SWEP’s general eligibility (permanent Victorian resident, Australian visa holder, asylum seeker or temporary protection visa holder) and the LCGP’s own criterion of a medical assessment confirming lymphoedema. People covered by the NDIS, WorkSafe Victoria or the TAC are directed to those schemes; NDIS participants under 65 are asked to call SWEP’s Safety Link Assist team on 1800 995 009. Garments are funded for limbs; padding and liners are not.

What your practitioner provides

  • The online LCGP application, lodged through SWEP’s AT Practitioner Portal.
  • The LCGP Eligibility Form with the medical confirmation of diagnosis.
  • A supplier quote on the LCGP Quotation Template showing garment codes, class, quantity, GST, delivery and the supplier’s ABN.
  • Measurements and the garment specification (ready-to-wear versus made-to-measure, day versus night, wrap system if relevant).

How to order with SWEP funding

  1. See a SWEP-registered practitioner. Your GP, hospital lymphoedema clinic or a private ALA-accredited therapist can assess you. Ask whether they are registered with SWEP for the LCGP.
  2. Agree the garments and get a quote. Your practitioner chooses the garments and asks a SWEP-registered supplier for a quote on the LCGP template. Check the quoted price against the subsidy so you know the likely gap.
  3. Practitioner lodges the application. They submit it online with the eligibility form and quote. SWEP confirms eligibility and, if there is a gap, sends you a gap funding form.
  4. SWEP orders, supplier delivers. Garments arrive at your nominated address. Anything outside the allocation — a fifth set, a different colour, travel or work pairs — is a private purchase you can make with us at any time.
Find my size in 60 seconds Call (02) 9062 3243 Mon–Fri 9–5 Sydney · info@compressionstockingsonline.com.au · Free delivery over $150, dispatched within 2 business days.

Where Compression Stockings Online fits

We are an Australian-owned, Sydney-based 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 SWEP-registered supplier, so SWEP does not order LCGP garments from us, and we do not decide anything for SWEP. We can help with:

  • Itemised quotes. We can prepare a written quote with ABN, GST, delivery and item descriptions by class, length and size — useful for private health insurance, an employer or your own budgeting. Because we are not SWEP-registered, SWEP cannot use our quote for an LCGP application.
  • Garments outside the program. Extra sets, second colours, or pairs for travel and work ship from Sydney within two business days, free over $150.
  • Fit and sizing support. Our sizing calculator takes about a minute, and our team can check your measurements against the brand’s chart over the phone on (02) 9062 3243.
  • Tax invoices and size swaps. Tax invoices with ABN and item descriptions, including class and size on each line; size swaps on unopened items under our returns policy.

Funding levels are set by the Victorian Department of Health and change from time to time; the figures above are from the June 2026 guidelines. SWEP supplies LCGP garments through its own registered suppliers.

Frequently asked questions

Does SWEP pay me back if I buy garments myself?

No. Under the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program your registered practitioner attaches a supplier quote to the application, and once eligibility is confirmed SWEP orders the garments from that supplier and has them delivered to you. Private purchases are not reimbursed.

How much does SWEP fund per garment?

As at the June 2026 guidelines: up to $150 per ready-to-wear set per affected limb, $300 per made-to-measure set, $150 per adjustable wrap kit, and a one-off $60 donner subsidy. Adults: up to 4 sets per limb per 12 months; under-18s: up to 6.

What if the garment costs more than the SWEP subsidy?

SWEP sends a gap funding form so you can nominate how the balance will be paid. Ask your practitioner what the quoted price is before the application goes in so there are no surprises.

Who can apply on my behalf?

A practitioner registered with SWEP for this program: an AHPRA-registered OT, physiotherapist, registered nurse, nurse practitioner or medical practitioner who has completed an Australasian Lymphology Association endorsed course, or an ALA Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner. You cannot apply directly.

Can Compression Stockings Online supply garments for a SWEP application?

No. SWEP requires suppliers to be registered with it, and Compression Stockings Online is not a SWEP-registered supplier, so your practitioner will need a quote from a registered supplier. Garments outside the program — extra sets, colours, travel or work pairs — can be ordered from us directly at any time as a private purchase.

Sources, checked 28 Sep 2026

This page is general information about how a public funding scheme works, not advice about your individual eligibility. Scheme rules, forms and funding levels change — confirm the current position with the scheme or your prescriber before ordering. Compression Stockings Online is not registered or contracted with any government funding scheme and does not decide eligibility.