Do you live in Regional, Rural or Remote Australia?

Do you want to gain knowledge and make connections to help you live better with Parkinson’s or a Parkinson’s-Plus Condition?

The Connections 2025 Travel Grant is here to help you meet the cost of travel to the 2025 Parkinson’s Australia National Conference, 6-8 April 2025 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

Grant winners will have eligible travel costs from their home to and from Canberra paid for and organised by Parkinson’s Australia.

Applications Close 11.59pm on Sunday, 16 February 2025.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

We define Regional, Rural or Remote areas using the same model used by the Department of Health and Aging. All non-metropolitan locations classified as MM2 through MM7 are eligible. Click on your state below to view a list of Regional, Rural and Remote locations that are eligible for the purpose of the Connections 2025 Travel Grant.  

ACT  |  NSW  |  NT  | QLD  |  SA  |  TAS  |  VIC  |  WA 

The value of travel paid for by Parkinson’s Australia will vary, depending on: 

  • The actual cost of travel from the grantee’s home to the Parkinson’s Australia National Conference at the National Convention Centre, Canberra 
  • The winning grantees’ individual travel needs. 

n.b. Cash will not be provided.

Grant winners will have some or all of their travel costs organised and paid for by Parkinson’s Australia, according to their individual access needs.  

The application form will ask you to tell us which eligible travel costs you need funded in order to attend PANC25. You may pay some of these yourself. 

Eligible travel costs may include some or all of: 

  • Transfer via taxi between your home and nearest airport. 
  • Transfer via taxi between Canberra airport and your accommodation. 
  • Transfer via taxi between your accommodation in Canberra and the conference venue (National Convention Centre Canberra). 
  • Return economy airfares to Canberra. 
  • A pre-paid fuel card (if you choose to travel by road instead of by air).  
  • Accommodation for the nights of 6, 7 and 8 April in the best value available standard or accessible room at one of our recommended hotels.

  1. Conference tickets are not included. If successful, you will need to purchase your own ticket/s to PANC25, and sign a grant agreement, prior to travel being booked. You must also come to the registration desk in person, at the Parkinson’s Australia National Conference and attend a full day of conference on the 7th and/or 8th of April 2025 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. 
  2. Meals and other sundry expenses incurred while travelling to or attending PANC25 must be paid for by the grantee, except where these are packaged as a standard inclusion in an eligible travel cost (for example, room with breakfast; included airline meal; conference morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea). 
  3. Personal travel insurance is not included. If you require travel insurance, you must purchase this yourself.  

Yes! Please let us know on your application form which eligible costs you can meet yourself.  

The application form will ask you what kinds of supports you would need to travel to, and participate in, PANC25 should your application be successful. This information is not provided to the selection committee, who will assess applications based on your answers to the other questions in your application. 

  • Bringing a support person with you: If you need to bring a support to assist you at all times while travelling to and attending PANC25, you may apply to have the support person’s ‘eligible travel costs’ funded, too.  
  • Support while travelling: major airlines such as Qantas and Virgin can offer assistance to solo travellers with specific access needs.  We can also arrange airport transfers by access taxi. 
  • Support at the conference: you may wish to hire a support worker to assist you while in Canberra. The cost of hiring a support worker is not covered by the Grant but may be claimable under your NDIS or My Aged Care package – check with your NDIS or My Aged Care provider. 

You can read the full Terms and Conditions for the Connections 2025 Travel Grant in our downloadable Application Pack.

Contact Meg: meg@parkinsons.org.au or 0404 605 639 

Dates and times

Applications Close: 11.59pm Sunday, 16 February 2025. 

Grants awarded: Between 1 and 11 March 2025.

Conference dates: 6-8 April 2025.

How to apply

Applications for this round of Travel Grants have now closed.

Applicants will be notified between 1 and 11 March, 2025.

Please reach out to our team if you have any questions.

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Parkinson’s Australia National Conference

6-8 April 2025, National Convention Centre Canberra, ACT