Seniors Discounts and Concessions
Older Australians on low or fixed incomes can access a range of concessions to help with household and other expenses and get discounts on products and services.
There are many types of concessions including Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Seniors Card and Transport Concession Card.
Government Concessions
Low income and fixed income earners may be eligible for some government concessions. This could include the cost-of-living concession, water and sewerage rate assistance, residential parks scheme (a combined concession for people who live in residential or caravan parks) and more.
Each state and territory may have different concessions available. Therefore, the best thing to do is to visit your state government website for full and accurate information on your entitlements. Here are the state contacts:
Australian Capital Territory Government
Pensioner Concession Card
A pensioner concession card can entitle you to cheaper medicine, bulk billed doctor visits and help with hearing services. In some states you may also get assistance with your utility bills, property and water rates, public transport, motor vehicle registration and train fares. People that get certain payments from the government are entitled to this card. These include, but are not limited to, the Age Pension, carer payments and disability support pension. This card is normally sent to you once you have set up and receive a payment that makes you entitled to it.
For more information on the Pensioner Concession Card, please visit the Services Australia website.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is provided by Centrelink for those that meet the criteria but do not get any government benefits. This concession card can get you cheaper health care and some other discounts. The criteria includes being of Age Pension age or older, an Australian resident or have an applicable visa, not being in receipt of any Centrelink or Veteran Affairs income support and meeting a specific income test.
For more information on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, please visit the Services Australia website .
Seniors Card
The Seniors Card is a great way to access many deals and discounts. Each state and territory has a Seniors Card that is for their residents over the age of 60 who are retired or work reduced hours. Each state and territory has different guidelines. You can apply via your applicable state or territory. The Seniors Card entitles you to deals and discounts in your local area and can include public transport, food and drink, health and medical, travel and accommodation, professional services, retail and more. You can access information on the deals and discounts available through their website or their annual printed directories.
Look up more information, the discounts and deals available or apply now via the below state and territory websites:
Australian Capital Territory Seniors Card
Northern Territory Seniors Card
Western Australian Seniors Card
As many of the concession websites advise, remember to always carry your concession cards with you and to make the most out of the discounts on offer.
Further information can be found here at Services Australia.
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