Tag Archives: circular knit

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 limb Made to Measure (M2M):$300 per set of garments per affected limb where RTW is not compatible with limb size, shape, or required compression class Adjustable Wrap Systems (AWS) kit:$150 per kit Donner (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).