A great way to save money as you get older is to take advantage of the benefits that you get from having a concession and/or seniors card. There are certain criteria you need to meet to be eligible for a concession card, and depending on where you live you can access the benefits available from the seniors card … including what savings you can receive in your state.
Can I get a concession card?
There’s a concession card available through Centrelink that many older Australians are entitled to. Primarily, the concession card helps qualifying pensioners with certain health and prescription costs.
To be eligible, you must:
- have reached Age Pension age
- be an Australian resident and live in Australia or you hold a special category visa
- not get a payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- meet the income test.
If you qualify and receive a pensioner concession card, you may be entitled to reduced cost medications that are currently available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as well as many state and territory government concessions such as reduced rates on property and water rates, energy bills, registration for your motor vehicle and vastly reduced costs for public transport.
To find out more about the benefits, go to the Services Australia website.
What does a seniors card get me?
There are different eligibility rules in each state and along with residency rules the following criteria applies:
- NT – 60 or over
- ACT/SA/TAS – 60 or over and working less than 20 hours per week on average
- WA – 63 years and above and working less than 25 hours per week on average
- NSW – 60 years and over – two cards with one for those who work 20 hours and over per week and those that work under that amount on average
- VIC – 60 or over and working less than 35 hours per week
- QLD – 65 and older and working less than 35 hours or 60-64 that works less than 35 hours and holds one of four other benefits cards
There are different discounts and benefits from a seniors card, depending on where you live, so it’s important to check the eligibility in your state and what other benefits may be applicable to you. Here is an overview of what may be available to you, based on your location:
Australian Capital Territory
- 10% off motor vehicle registration and 28% discount on electric vehicle registration
- 25% off visiting the National Dinosaur Museum and other various discounts off other tourist attractions such as the National Zoo and Questacon
Find out more about the ACT Seniors Card
New South Wales
- At least 20% off the National Maritime Museum, Sea Life Aquarium, Taronga Zoo and more attractions
- 50% off adoption fees of cats or dogs over 8 (known affectionately as ‘golden oldies’) from the RSPCA
Find out more about the NSW Seniors Card
Northern Territory
- $55 off annual vehicle registration
- Free bus travel in Darwin and Alice Springs
- Up to 25% local attractions like Crocodylus Park, Crocosaurus Cove and the Darwin Aviation Museum
Find out more about the NT Seniors Card
Queensland
Access to the Senior shopper program - Pick a product you want, call the Senior Shopper hotline and they will find the supplier with the cheapest price and generally get back to you within 24 hours
At least 20% off entry to the Australian Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and exhibitions at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art
Find out more about the QLD Seniors Card
South Australia
- Free off-peak public transport in Adelaide
- At least 20% of two and 12 month National Park passes
- 50% off registration for your first vehicle and trailer and your driver’s licence
Find out more about the SA Seniors Card
Tasmania
- 40% off recreational sea fishing licences
- $52 off annual vehicle registration
Find out more about the TAS Seniors Card
Victoria
- Free entry into the Melbourne Museum, the Immigration Museum and Scienceworks
- Some free travel on weekend trips on public transport
- Exemption from needing to hold a fishing licence
Find out more about the VIC Seniors Card
Western Australia
- 50% off print and digital newspaper subscription
- Free off peak public transport
- Up to 50% off long-distance train trips
Find out more about the WA Seniors Card
Many cards also hold reciprocal rights across different states and territories and New Zealand. So if you are travelling, be sure to check out what you're entitled to on that place’s seniors card website.
You can take advantage of the benefits offered to you for both the concession card that is made available via Centrelink and the seniors card available to you in your relevant state. Research what’s available and understand what you’re entitled to – after all, it might save you some money.
A great way to save money as you get older is to take advantage of the benefits that you get from having a concession and/or seniors card. There are certain criteria you need to meet to be eligible for a concession card, and depending on where you live you can access the benefits available from the seniors card … including what savings you can receive in your state.
Can I get a concession card?
There’s a concession card available through Centrelink that many older Australians are entitled to. Primarily, the concession card helps qualifying pensioners with certain health and prescription costs.
To be eligible, you must:
If you qualify and receive a pensioner concession card, you may be entitled to reduced cost medications that are currently available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as well as many state and territory government concessions such as reduced rates on property and water rates, energy bills, registration for your motor vehicle and vastly reduced costs for public transport.
To find out more about the benefits, go to the Services Australia website.
What does a seniors card get me?
There are different eligibility rules in each state and along with residency rules the following criteria applies:
There are different discounts and benefits from a seniors card, depending on where you live, so it’s important to check the eligibility in your state and what other benefits may be applicable to you. Here is an overview of what may be available to you, based on your location:
Australian Capital Territory
Find out more about the ACT Seniors Card
New South Wales
Find out more about the NSW Seniors Card
Northern Territory
Find out more about the NT Seniors Card
Queensland
Access to the Senior shopper program - Pick a product you want, call the Senior Shopper hotline and they will find the supplier with the cheapest price and generally get back to you within 24 hours
At least 20% off entry to the Australian Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and exhibitions at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art
Find out more about the QLD Seniors Card
South Australia
Find out more about the SA Seniors Card
Tasmania
Find out more about the TAS Seniors Card
Victoria
Find out more about the VIC Seniors Card
Western Australia
Find out more about the WA Seniors Card
Many cards also hold reciprocal rights across different states and territories and New Zealand. So if you are travelling, be sure to check out what you're entitled to on that place’s seniors card website.
You can take advantage of the benefits offered to you for both the concession card that is made available via Centrelink and the seniors card available to you in your relevant state. Research what’s available and understand what you’re entitled to – after all, it might save you some money.