In Victoria, Lymphoedema patients are entitled to access the SWEP program (State Wide Equipment Program), a government-funded program that provides funding for garment wear on an annual basis. As a Myotherapist and Lymphoedema therapist working in Fitzroy North, I can help you overcome the bureaucracy and understand how to access the SWEP incentives and where to go and purchase the garments.
What Is the SWEP Program?
The SWEP or State-Wide Equipment Program is a Victorian government-funded scheme that provides subsidised or fully funded medical equipment to eligible individuals living with permanent or long-term conditions, and Lymphoedema is one of these conditions.
For those who live with a chronic condition like lymphoedema, the SWEP can significantly reduce the financial burden of compression garments, which are an essential, not optional, part of lymphoedema management.
So yes, SWEP is not a treatment program but an equipment funding pathway.
Why Compression Garments Are Essential for Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is a lifelong condition, and unfortunately, in most cases, it is not curable.
For managing this presentation, therapies like Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) can help reduce the swelling, and then compression is what maintains results.
Without appropriate compression:
- Swelling returns
- Tissue becomes heavier and more fibrotic
- Skin integrity is compromised
- Infection risk (cellulitis) increases
This is why access to properly fitted garments through programs like SWEP is so important.
What Lymphoedema Items Can Be Funded Through SWEP?
The SWEP may assist with funding for:
- Compression garments (flat knit or circular knit, based on clinical need)
- Wrap systems
- Custom-made garments when off-the-shelf options are unsuitable
The funding is based on:
- Medical necessity
- Functional impact
- Long-term condition status
- Financial eligibility
The SWEP does not automatically cover all the costs, as approval depends on correct documentation and assessment, and that’s where I can assist you. Below you will find a section dedicated to the cost covered by SWEP via the Lymphoedema Compression Gargments Program (LCGP).
SWEP and Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP)
In Victoria, patients with lymphoedema can access the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP) via SWEP. Indeed, SWEP and LCGP are 2 separate programs, but it is SWEP that took control of the LCGP in 2017, and this is how it works.
LCGP is funded by the Department of Health and provides subsidised compression garments and wrap systems for eligible individuals diagnosed with primary, secondary, or sub-clinical lymphoedema affecting the limbs.
What Is Funded Under the LCGP?
From the day of submission to the SWEP for the garment wear, you have 12 months to get funding for:
Adults
4 sets of compression garments per affected limb, or
3 sets of compression garments and 1 kit of Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per affected limb, or
2 kits of Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per affected limb
1 donner (once off)
Children under 18 years of age
6 sets of compression garments per affected limb, or
5 sets of compression garments and 1 kit of Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per affected limb, or
2 kits of Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) per affected limb
1 donner (once off)
Available Subsidies
Those above are the number of garments you get funding for, and each garment is subsidised as follows:
Ready to Wear (RTW):
$150 per set of garments per affected limbMade to Measure (M2M):
$300 per set of garments per affected limb where RTW is not compatible with limb size, shape, or required compression classAdjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) kit:
$150 per kitDonner (once off):
$60
Who Is Eligible for State Wide Equipment Program?
To be eligible for SWEP in Victoria, you must:
- Are a permanent Victorian resident, hold a temporary or permanent protection visa, or are an asylum seeker
- Have a long-term condition or disability, and/or are frail aged
- Do not receive other government funding for compression garments
- Are not an inpatient of a public or private hospital, or a permanent resident of a residential care facility
- Cannot claim garments through private health insurance
- Have not been discharged from a public hospital or extended care centre within the last 30 days, where garments relate to the hospital admission
Further assistance with determining your eligibility can be obtained via this link, which directs you to the SWEP website’s Check Eligibility page.
My Role in Supporting SWEP Applications
At my Lymphoedema clinic in Fitzroy North, I regularly support patients by:
- Performing comprehensive lymphoedema assessments
- Identifying the correct compression type and class
- Providing clinical justification for garments
- Working alongside GPs and specialists for referrals (my clinic is situated in a GP clinic)
- Ensuring garments align with the patient’s stage of lymphoedema and lifestyle needs
As a lymphedema practitioner, I trained with the Vodder Academy for Lymphoedema Management, so I do understand the importance of precise garment selection, not just eligibility.
On the other hand, I am also a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA), and I stay aligned with current best-practice standards when recommending compression solutions.
SWEP Is Not a Substitute for Treatment
Another important point that I want to mark again is that SWEP does not replace therapy.
What this means is that for the best outcomes, compression garments should be used alongside:
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
- Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
- Skin care
- Movement and load management
- Ongoing review and garment reassessment
In fact, compression works best after swelling has been optimally reduced, not as a standalone solution. This is because compression, applied to a non-managed Lymphoedema, may result in hard to apply, can crack the skin (which would lead to infections), and it may also be painful.
SWEP in Fitzroy North
At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, Myotherapy & Lymphoedema clinic in Fitzroy North, I support patients with evidence-based care, practical guidance, and individualised planning, so you can manage lymphoedema with confidence.
If you’d like support with SWEP-related compression, assessment, or ongoing lymphoedema management, use the button below to book a FREE 15-minute online consultation (Option 9).
Book Now A Free Online Consulation
FAQs — SWEP and Lymphoedema
What is the SWEP program for lymphoedema in Victoria? A: The State-Wide Equipment Program (SWEP) is a Victorian government-funded scheme that helps eligible people with long-term conditions, including lymphoedema, access subsidised or fully funded compression garments and equipment. SWEP is not a treatment program; it is an equipment funding pathway that can help with the cost of compression garments for lymphedema patients.
Does SWEP cover compression garments for lymphoedema? A: Yes. SWEP may assist with funding for compression garments such as flat knit, circular knit, wrap systems, and custom-made garments when clinically required. The approval of the funding depends on assessment, correct documentation, and eligibility. It does not automatically cover all costs. If you are not sure about your eligibility, contact me now.
Who is eligible for the State-Wide Equipment Program (SWEP)? A: To be eligible for SWEP in Victoria, you must be a permanent Victorian resident, have a long-term or permanent condition such as chronic lymphoedema, and be assessed and referred by an approved health professional ( I can help you with that ). Eligibility can be confirmed through the official SWEP website.
Can a Myotherapist help with SWEP applications? A: Yes. As a Myotherapist and Lymphoedema therapist in Fitzroy North, I support patients by performing comprehensive lymphoedema assessments, identifying the correct compression type and class, and providing clinical justification to support SWEP applications in collaboration with GPs and specialists.
Is SWEP a replacement for lymphoedema treatment? A: No. SWEP does not replace treatment. Compression garments work best when used alongside Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), skin care, and movement management. Compression is used to maintain results once swelling has been reduced.
Why is professional assessment important before using SWEP-funded garments? A: Incorrect or poorly fitted compression can be difficult to apply, uncomfortable, and may damage the skin or increase infection risk. A professional assessment ensures the garment is safe, effective, and appropriate for your stage of lymphoedema and daily needs.
What is the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP)?
A: The Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP) is a Victorian Department of Health–funded program that provides subsidised compression garments and wrap systems for eligible people diagnosed with primary, secondary, or sub-clinical lymphoedema affecting the limbs.
How many compression garments can I receive through the LCGP each year?
A: The number of garments depends on age and clinical need. Adults may receive up to four sets of compression garments per affected limb per year, while children under 18 may receive up to six sets per affected limb. Options may also include Adjustable Wrap Systems instead of, or alongside, garments.
What is the difference between Ready to Wear and Made to Measure garments?
A: Ready to Wear garments are standard-sized compression garments, while Made to Measure garments are custom-made for limb shapes or compression levels not available in standard sizes. The LCGP provides a higher subsidy for Made to Measure garments when Ready to Wear options are not clinically suitable.
A: The Lymphoedema Compression Garment Program (LCGP) is a Victorian Department of Health–funded program that provides subsidised compression garments and wrap systems for eligible people diagnosed with primary, secondary, or sub-clinical lymphoedema affecting the limbs.
A: The number of garments depends on age and clinical need. Adults may receive up to four sets of compression garments per affected limb per year, while children under 18 may receive up to six sets per affected limb. Options may also include Adjustable Wrap Systems instead of, or alongside, garments.
A: Ready to Wear garments are standard-sized compression garments, while Made to Measure garments are custom-made for limb shapes or compression levels not available in standard sizes. The LCGP provides a higher subsidy for Made to Measure garments when Ready to Wear options are not clinically suitable.
Giovanni La Rocca
Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipoedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.