What Discounts and Help can you get with a Pension or Health Care Card in Australia?
Each state in Australia has different concessions based on the type of card you have and it is not determined by Centrelink, it is at the discretion of local providers.
This is what makes it confusing for so many people.
As such, it always pays to ask.
Don’t be scared to simply ask your electricity, registration or other providers if your card gets a discount or concession rate.
The PBS is about the only consistent discount, where concession cardholders are entitled to a discount on medicine.
All other potential discounts on services such as transport, electricity, and rates are decided by the local providers and governments in each state which can make it tricky to know what you are entitled to.
Low income or healthcare cards do not get as many discounts or benefits as pension cards. But always ask and outline your circumstances!
This post covers anything I have found and includes a few affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure for that here.
A Few Immediate Bonuses
To get you started, The Thrifty Issue has loads of freebies and discounts for you and you don’t need to use your card or prove anything.
Freebies
We created a full list of Australian freebies, sign up bonuses and discounts here.
It has everything from transport to food, stationery to toys and more.
$100 From ING
New customers can get $100 by following a few easy steps.
$21 Instantly from Up Bank
When you get a new account with Up Bank, which is backed by Bendigo, you instantly get $21 in the account. This is for a limited time only.
Discounts
Get up to $200 off with HelloFresh, spread across your first 6 boxes for new and returning customers. Conditions apply.
Get Easy meals from $2.19 per plate with this discount from EveryPlate. This offer is for new AND returning customers.
45% off your first box with Marley Spoon and further discounts.
Up to $140 off Dinnerly, spread across your first few boxes.
How to Survive on Centrelink
Ensuring you get all the discounts you can is one part of surviving on Centrelink.
There is so much more to it though. Check out all the articles on Centrelink here.
Otherwise, keep scrolling as there is a lot in this article.
Medical Discounts for Concession Cards
All Australian concession cards entitle you to a discount on health care and prescriptions.
This includes ambulance fees in most states.
You will be sent the bill then you ring the number on your bill.
They will request your proof such as your Centrelink number and details on your card.
Then it will be cleared so you don’t have to pay. Getting the bill can be a bit of a shock though.
Optical Discounts
Subsidised glasses apply in most areas, meaning discounted glasses and contacts.
At the least, we all get free eye tests through Medicare.
Check before you book your appointment if they offer subsidised glasses or prescriptions because not all do.
If they do not, go elsewhere because they likely won’t allow you to have your prescription to purchase glasses elsewhere either.
Free Hearing Tests
Certain locations offer free hearing tests.
Bulk Billing
Bulk billed doctors and dental work is another perk with a pension/healthcare card.
With bulk billing doctors, they can be harder to come by and often have a longer wait time than other doctors.
Dental work is rarely bulk billed but there are some places that do it, usually with a long waitlist as dental work is so expensive.
For children, check your eligibility for the $1,000 dental scheme for each child.
Ask your local healthcare providers or check with a pharmacist as they often know the options available in your local area.
Discounted Electricity, Land and Water Rates
Discounts on electricity, land rates and water rates for all concession cards, even low-income health care cards, are available in some states.
You will need to check with your local council, electricity provider and water board.
It is not automatically entered into the system, you need to call and inform them or let them know when you sign up with them.
The rebate or concession amount varies from state to state.
Some electricity companies and councils also offer an energy audit to help reduce the cost of electricity by offering tips, light bulbs, power boards, draft stoppers and other products.
Education Discounts and Payments for Concession Card Holders
Fees at Tafe (CIT for Canberra) can be halved for eligible cards and courses.
Apprentices and trainees are eligible for health care cards but not for half-price course fees.
Some preschools, primary and high schools offer discounted fees for pensioners if you ask plus there is a School Fees Allowance for some circumstances with Centrelink, usually paid directly to the school.
On top of this, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for an extra payment from Centrelink for studying, for example:
Education Entry Payment
Pensioner Education Supplement
Payments for students and trainees
Movies and Entertainment Discounts
Most movie theatres will offer discounted tickets to all concession cards, but we found years ago that with the health care card it depended on who was on the counter.
Almost all shows, attractions and events have concession rates as well, although some of those concessions apply only to seniors, people on disability or veterans, not single parents or low incomes.
If you are a carer, be sure to get a companion card or similar as this gets you even more discounts.
Free and Discounted Travel
Public transport can be used at a discounted rate for most states on all cards, some states health care cards alone are entitled to discounted transport.
You are also entitled to 4 free train trips within your state to the border.
You pay a booking fee still and if going past the border you pay the concession rate for the remainder of your trip in whichever states you travel.
Mail Redirection and Stamps
You are eligible for a reduced rate on mail redirection but only if the redirection is from a home address to home address, not PO Boxes.
Australia Post also offers discounted stamps for concession card holders, discounted mail redirection and free document signing/verification.
Registration and Licences
Car registration is waived in most states with only the compulsory third party needing to be paid.
As soon as you are on the pension, go into the registration office and update your details to have this applied.
To be clear, it is the registration fee only, not the whole amount.
Many people get mixed up. All cars being registered also require insurance.
The cost of insurance takes up a large portion of the overall fees but only the registration part of the fee is discounted if at all.
Drivers licences are free in some states, as are licence renewals but not the actual driving test.
Pet registration is heavily discounted as well.
Banking for Concession Card Holders
Numerous fee-free banking options are available for holders of various concession cards.
Just ask the banks, some even offer free money sessions to help you sort your finances.
There are also plenty of fee-free bank accounts you can access even without a concession card.
Bonus saving accounts are offered for either those who save a certain amount it will be matched by the bank or those who get a loan, repay it and then apply for a saver account and save a certain amount will have it matched by the bank.
Interest-free loans are available for certain items such as white goods or furniture usually through charities.
You can find information about NILS here.
Rubbish Removal
Some states or territories offer free rubbish removal to pension cardholders.
Some councils offer free pickups as well for everyone.
This is a great way to clear out your house as needed.
Pension Day
Many hairdressers, some supermarkets, chemists, mechanics and other places that offer a service have a pension discount day.
It is up to the provider if the discount only applies to seniors, veterans or all cardholders.
The total value of any of these concession cards has been placed at tens of thousands of dollars.
The discounts can be significant.
The reduced prescriptions and doctors appointments, free registration, reduced public transport and discounted energy rates are worth thousands on their own.
Do you have a concession card? What do you use it for? Have you ever added up how much money it saves you?
More Ways to Save Money
Check out these articles too:
50 ways to live for free
How to stick to a budget as a single mum or single-income family
What to do when you are newly single
How to reduce your 3 biggest expenses
7 tips to manage finances when you have mental health issues
Where are the best Aussie giveaways and competitions?
How we cleared $90,000 worth of debt in 12 months (they started off unemployed)
43 ways for single mums to make money (or anyone who wants flexible income options)
12 ways to get coupons and discounts in Australia
Check out our complete list of freebies here or Australian birthday freebies here. Join The Thrifty Issue Facebook Group to discuss more ways to make and save money!
Ways to Make Money on Centrelink
Given the interest in this article, I have added below things you can do to make money on the side, even if on Centrelink.
Remember to be transparent about your income with Centrelink otherwise if you are overpaid, you will have to pay it back.
Online Surveys – $2,000+ per year
Online surveys won’t make you rich and do not need to be delared.
Most readers make $2,000 to $5,000 per year with the following:
Octopus Group: the highest paying online survey site in Australia. It’s free to join here. They also now pay $45 to $120 for various mystery shopping and market research gigs.
PrizeRebel: Pays in USD, is free to join but not as many surveys as Swagbucks. Join PrizeRebel here.
I have a full list of online survey sites for Aussies you can read.
Get Cash Back
Cashback sites are easy to use. Basically, you join then add the extension to Chrome and download the app.
Then, whenever you shop online it will pop up with how much you can get back.
If you shop a lot, you’ll get more back. We have more cashback sites here but our favourite cashback apps are Shopback and Honey.
Rent Your Space Out
Got a spare garage? You can rent it to others for storage, to have their special car or anything else.
You can list your garage, storage cage or other space on Spacer or try Gumtree.
Carparks and driveways are other options.
They can be used to store boats and caravans or if you live somewhere parking is expensive, you can rent it to office workers.
Fiverr
Sign up to Fiverr and offer something such as creating videos, graphics, voiceover work or anything else you can do.
It’s that simple and no, you don’t have to only charge $5 though that is how Fiverr originally started.
You can choose how much you charge and upsell other services to make more money.
This dad made almost $1,000,000 in a few years and this woman made over $1,000,000 in 6 years on Fiverr.
What started as a side gig for both resulted in them being able to quit their jobs.
Side Gigs
There are a lot of things you can do on the side to make money such as buy things to resell, freelance writing, tasks on Airtasker etc.
Read how to make an extra $20,000 this year or how I made $33,277.57 on the side one year.
We live in unique times, so while not everything in the articles we have linked to will be possible right now, there is a lot which can help.
For more ways to make and save money follow us on social media:
The Thrifty Issue Facebook Page
The Thrifty Issue Facebook Group
The Thrifty Issue Instagram
Hi Kylie,
I was just wondering if you’ve also heard of the ‘Savers Plus’ program offered via Brotherhood of St Lawrence? http://www.bsl.org.au/Saver-Plus
One of the conditions of application is that you’re a concession card holder. I used the program to help start up an education savings fund, which paid out 100% increase at the end of 10mths towards the children’s education expenses. Well worth checking out if you’re eligible.
🙂
Catherine
Thanks for the tip Catherine!
Because of my inbetween job/going full time to part time I’ve just become eligible for a health care card & was wondering what they could be used for! Great timing to find this. Sadly in QLD it doesn’t entitle you to concession public transport, which would be the most useful additional benefit for me.
That’s unfortunate they don’t offer that. I do wish it we had the same concessions for all states instead of it varying so much.
Hi Kylie,
I tried getting remimbursed for my car registration using my Health Care Card and VicRoads wouldn’t do it. I paid my car rego about a week prior to receiving my Health Car Card.
Just wondering where you got your info from? Perhaps it doesn’t apply in Victoria?
Thanks
Jean
As it says in the article, each state is different. Sometimes it also depends on who you talk to on the day which makes it a little frustrating and inconsistent.
Isn’t it just for pension card as stated, not healthcare card? Which doesn’t give you much…..
you have to show your card at the counter at vic roads when paying your reg
I believe the discount on rego is for pension card holders not healthcare cards.
Hi Kylie, My niece is in Melbourne visiting her Grandmother. She has a Western Australia Health Care Card as she is at Uni . She was using public transport today. When purchasing her ticket she asked if they accepted the WA healthcare card. Ticket person said yes. On the train an Inspector said she couldn’t and would be fined. He said the ticket person was incorrect. She is going to get a $275. fine and it will be a court case.
So does that mean Melbourne don’t accept WA Health Cards. It doesn’t seem fair when she was tring to do the right thing.
Can you help us on this Kylie Please.
Thankyou.
Joy
Hi Joy,
I have heard of some states not accepting other states student id’s, but not health care cards. I would look into objecting it, as she does have a concession, did ask the ticket person and was trying to do the right thing. Good luck. How awful.
Pensioners in n.s.w. do not pay car rego (apart fro the CTP) why did I have to pay rego in queensland. Same for water rates, in nsw discount is $150, why $30 in queensland?
Unfortunately, each state has it’s own rules and discounts.
You get 50% off rego component in Qld.
Thanks, Lisa!
As far as NSW Car rego, if a couple own two cars and both hold a pensioner concession card each, are they allowed to get free NSW rego on both vehicles? Thanks.
Dave, you would need to double check with the RTA. If you own your car and your partner owns there, presumably you should both be eligible for concessions on your respective cars and I can’t find any information online to the contrary. It might help to go in separately/pay them individually as each Centrelink reference number will be applied individually, but I have known of others having issues when doing things together vs going in separately. It came down to the person on the desk knowing what to do. Good luck and if you can, let us know how you go with it please? Thank you!
Hi I payed for six months rego and did not realize that I could get a discount with my pension card. Can I still go to them and get some money back. I live in Brisbane.
Hi Rhonda, according to their site, yes. http://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/concession/cheaper/index.html#seniors you will need to fill out this form https://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/forms/QF3937/ and take it with you.
In on a disability pension cousin said I can get discounts on glasses where do I that
Check with your local optometrist. Otherwise, I highly recommend asking for your prescription including the pupillary distance (commonly known as PD) and ordering your glasses online. If you go to stores that offer ‘two for $199″ or similar deals, their glasses are exactly the same as glasses from places like Zenni Optical. I have been purchasing my glasses online for 5 years now at around $10 to $30 each, I have had them checked and they are exactly what I used to pay $500 for. I’ll do a post about it soon.
Hi Kylie. We have moved from the UK to ACT, we got here at the end of August. I have received a health care card today and obviously have no idea about any of the concessions. We paid for our car rego, would we be able to get this back and whom would I go to and ask? In regards to public transport, is there a concession in the ACT for that as I have been using a my way card up until now. Again, who would I go too to find out that info? With the bills, I’m gathering I would need to speak to the electricity and gas people separately. Any help would be great.
Thank you
Kiran
Hi Kiran,
If it is a health care card specifically and not a pension card, then in the ACT you aren’t eligible for a discount – see this link https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/694/#!tabs-7
In order to get public transport concession, you need to go to a MyWay Recharge Agent or Access Canberra Shopfront, show your health care card and request a concession one. This link https://www.transport.act.gov.au/myway-and-fares/mywayguide/concessions says Health Care Cards are eligible.
As for electricity etc. check with each provider, call and ask.
Also, depending on your situation, there are a few services available for discounted groceries with Comms@Work and similar with those who have this card.
All the best!
Kylie
I truely dont understand why each state is different, the federal government manage centerlink payments, or am I a bit dumb on where the money comes from. I also dont get it that home owners assets test limit is lower than non home owners, we had to endured the high interest rates of the eighties where a lot of people just walked away because it was just too damn hard. We went without holidays, dinners out etc ect just to hold onto our property, I was granted a part disability pension about a year ago now and because my husband’s superannuation and the bit we have saved is just over the limit my part pension has been stopped. There is absolutely no incentive in this country to save for a rainy day, renters dont pay rates, they dont have to maintain a property and all the expense that goes with it, I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY I’M BEING PENALIZED. The $200 a fortnight was a big help in paying for my medications. I usually don’t write on public forums but I’m annoyed, if an eighteen year old can walk out of school having put nothing into the system and get payments something is wrong with this country.
Hi Veronica, it is frustrating that each state is different. Centrelink payments come from the federal government, however the concessions and businesses or government organisations invloved with those concessions are not run by the federal government, hence the differences. Registration, transport etc are done on a state level. Electrcity etc have different taxes, exemptions and rates in each state and aren’t government owned.
It is difficult too, with the home owner vs renting and payments given as a result. I never understood why that is, as it is still a huge cost of living and I know many owners who after working hard their whole lives end up losing their home or living in poverty, they would have been better renting at that point.
And I am sorry to hear about your payments being cut off. There is no incentive to save or improve when it is made this difficult. I hope it can be sorted for you quickly. Always appeal decisions.
Hi I am trying to find information on concessions available on Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards in NSW.
It would appear that different utilities ( electricity, water etc) and different councils also have different rules!
Could you tell me if concessions apply on car registration costs.?
Many thanks
Christine
Hi Christine, the best option would be to check with the RTA. According to this link of theirs, your specific health care card is not listed http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/fees/
Hi I am on a pension card have recently move from another state to nsw my car rego was renewed before I moved am I untitled to a refund on rego
Hi Sharon, if you go into the RTA and switch your registration over they will be able to tell you.
I no this is an old thread but heres hoping ill get a response still.
I recently put 12 months nsw rego on my car
But i just recieved my pension n pension card.
Can i claim money back on it.
And what steps to do so.
Thankyou
You just ring the transport department who can do most things online or over the phone there are a couple of forms to fill in once then it’s all done and you probably will get a discount but I didn’t when I got my senior card as it became part of my life the day I applied for the concession regarding der registration hope that helps anyone
Can you use a health care card as a concession card at theme parks in Queensland
Hi Jennifer, no, they only accept pensioner or senior cards for concession. Check Groupon though, as they often have great deals for the theme parks.
Hi
I only just found out today that I can get free rego in NSW on the single parent pension . I paid a couple of months ago ( without knowing )
Would I be eligible for a refund ??
Do I just go in to the RTA ??
Thanks for your help 🙂
You could try. My ex mother in law got a refund a few years back by going into the RTA with her pension card.
Just renewed my rego, with pensioners rate over $600 for a year in South Australia, I’d like to know how other states can get it for free.
Generally, the rego aspect is free but the greenslip is still payable, so $600 would be about right in most states.
Thought I’d add something.
The NSW Dept of Environment & Heritage have an appliance replacement offer for people with certain concession cards.
This will give you up to 40% off the price of selected fridges and up to 50% off the price of selected televisions.
It’s a scheme to replace older appliances with newer energy efficient appliances and help the people on these concessions to lower their electricity bills.
I replaced a fridge under the scheme a few weeks ago and it’s absolutely worth it.
The scheme is here: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/households/appliance-replacement-offer.htm
“To receive this offer you must:
— be a NSW resident
— hold one of the following:
— Pensioner Concession Card
— Health Care Card or Low Income Health Care Card from Centrelink
— Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
— own a fridge 6 years old, or older, and want to replace it
— own a plasma or cathode ray tube (CRT) television and want to replace it
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders are not eligible for this offer.”
I have always had the disability pension card and just recently got my seniors card I didn’t think you could get your car registration free in Queensland I have always paid the full amount. I get a concession on there is that what you are talking about. ?
Hi Julie, as stated it varies state to state. Some provide a concession, some do the registration part free but car owners still need to pay for the greenslip/insurance and road worthy certificates. Details for Queensland are linked to above and here https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/concession/cheaper
Just found this page and am astounded by the concessions I could have claimed.
As pensioners we manage ok but are by no means rich. Keep this information coming.
Many thanks, Andy.
Thank you, Andrew. I am glad it has been useful.
My husband needs to see an Opthomoligist, each visit is $200 plus, we cannot afford this, is there any kind of assistance for this kind of service?
Hi Terry, for most specialists, it is at their discretion whether they offer a discount or not. You would need to ask them directly.
Hi, We have moved from the NSW to SA. I got my car registry done on Thursday and received my pension concessions card on Friday. We paid for our car rego, would we be able to get this back and whom would I go to and ask? Also what sort of concession do I get when I buy general medicines? Do I get discounts them as well or just prescription medicine? Any help would be great.
Thank you
Hi Sheeba, you would need to check with registration in SA to see if you would get anything back. As for concession on medicines, it is only prescription. Thanks
Hi,
I have received my health care card two months ago and its valid until 2021.Now recently I have started a part time job. Am I still would be able to get concession by using it? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
It would depend on how much you make and if you are still eligible. You would need to check with Centrelink. Congratulations on the job though! Not easy at this time so that’s fantastic 🙂
Hi Kylie
I have been out of work for
Awhile now and just received
my healthcare card and have
2 rego’s due.I live in WA and
would like to know if I can get
A discount on my registration?
Hi Mark, from what we have read for WA, it appears you need a pension card specifically. Ask when you go to renew registration though. Chances are, if you do get a discount it will only be for 1 vehicle though.
are strata fees discounted like rent assistance for people living in over 55’s villages
Hi.
I’m just about to receive a Commonwealth Seniors Card and can’t (yet) seem to get information on whether it is suffuicient to receive a discount of course fees at TAFE (in Victoria).
You don’t happen to know?
Cheers and thank you. I’ve signe up for your newsletter.
Hi Frank, that is fantastic you are looking at TAFE courses. From what I understand in Victoria some are https://www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe
To confirm for whatever it is you’d like to study there is the TAFE and Training Line on 13 18 23 or email tafe.courseline@djsir.vic.gov.au
You might also be eligible for other support if you are getting any Centrelink https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/payments-you-can-get-for-higher-education?context=60078
Thank you for the support and good luck with your studies.