While you may not be eligible for the Age Pension, most retired Australians would be eligible for a Seniors Card, which opens up a world of discounts and rebates that could save you hundreds, if not thousands. Here’s how it works.
What is a Seniors Card?
The Seniors Card is a free discount card provided by Australian state and territory governments. It offers savings on goods and services to seniors, including transport concessions and participating business discounts.
How can I get a Seniors Card?
Seniors Cards are available throughout Australia for residents aged 60 (or 65 for WA) and over who are no longer working full time. However, eligibility varies depending in which state or territory you reside, so it’s best to check your state’s or territory’s website.
Where can I use my Seniors Card?
You can use your Seniors Card at thousands of participating businesses throughout your state or territory and, in some cases, interstate. You can ask particular businesses whether they accept Seniors Cards or look up your state’s or territory’s online directory. Some Australian states and territories also have reciprocal arrangements with New Zealand and the UK.
View your relevant online directory for discounts here:
Australian Seniors Card by state and territory
Please be aware that it is free to apply for any of the following cards. If you are being asked for an application fee it is a scam.
Australian Capital Territory
To be eligible for the ACT Seniors Card you must be at least 60 years of age, a permanent resident of the territory and not involved in paid employment for any longer than 20 hours per week.
You can apply for a senior’s card by completing an online form. If filling out the online form is a problem you can download a PDF copy here to print and fill out yourself, or a hard copy can be mailed to you. You will then need to either post the completed form to COTA ACT, Hughes Community Centre, 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes ACT 2605 or visit the COTA office at the Hughes Community Centre to drop it off and receive personal assistance. Find out more
Northern Territory
To be eligible for the Northern Territory Seniors Card you must be at least 60 years of age and a permanent resident.
Once issued, the card lasts a lifetime and never has to be renewed, though you can request a replacement if it gets lost or damaged. For any further information on what benefits are provided and how to apply, contact the Senior Card Office on 1800 441 489 or visit here.
New South Wales
To be eligible for the NSW Seniors Card you must be at least 60 years of age, a permanent resident and not involved in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week. This card entitles you to a Gold Opal card with transport concessions Australia Wide. Check the Seniors Card website in the state you’re visiting for further details.
If you work for more than 20 hours of paid work a week, across a 12-month period you can be eligible for the Seniors Savers Card. This card is not eligible for the Gold Opal card.
Once you have selected which card you are eligible for, you will need the following to apply:
- a MyServiceNSW account (you can create one when you start your application).
- your email address
- two proof of identity documents – accepted forms of identification are listed on the application
- your postal address
- your date of birth.
Please note, a MyServiceNSW account is not required if you apply by calling 13 77 88. Please allow up to 21 days the processing of your application and for it to be sent.
Further information can be obtained from the Seniors Card call centre by phoning 1300 364 758 during office hours on any week day. Find out more and apply here.
Queensland
Queensland has three seniors cards:
Queensland Seniors Card: This card offers the following benefits:
- eligibility for certain Queensland Government concessions
- discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
- access to the free Senior Shopper service.
Seniors Card +go: This card is for seniors who use, or plan to use, public transport in South East Queensland. It offers the same concessions and discounts as above, but also functions as a go card on Translink services:
- eligibility for certain Queensland Government concessions
- discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
- go card for use on public transport in South East Queensland
- access to the free Senior Shopper service.
If you already have a Seniors Card, you can upgrade to the Seniors Card +go for free.
Seniors Business Discount Card: if you’re not eligible for the Queensland Seniors Card or Seniors Card +go, you may still be eligible for the Seniors Business Discount Card, which offers:
- discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
- access to the free Senior Shopper service.
Find out more and the eligibility rules for each card here.
South Australia
To be eligible for the South Australian Seniors Card you must be at least 60 years of age, a permanent resident and not involved in paid employment for any longer than 20 hours per week.
There are no pension or income restrictions applied and no fees charged when you apply for an SA Seniors Card.
To apply online you’ll need one of these:
- driver’s licence number
- Medicare number
- pension card number.
You can also pick up an application at any SA public library and mail the completed form to Seniors Card
PO Box 196
Rundle Mall SA 5000.
For more information or to apply online visit here.
Tasmania
To be eligible for the Tasmanian Seniors Card you must be at least 60 years of age, a permanent resident and not involved in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week.
You can apply for a Seniors Card over the counter at any Service Tasmania shop and receive it on the same day or visit here.
If you are visiting a Service Tasmania shop you will need to produce at least three original proofs of identification, at least one of them proving your date of birth. An extract of your birth certificate or a copy of your citizenship papers are acceptable, as is your passport, drivers or firearm licence. Other identification documents that are accepted include:
Victoria
Victoria has two seniors cards.
Victorian Seniors Card. You must be at least 60 years of age, a permanent resident and not involved in paid employment for more than 35 hours per week.
Victorian Seniors Business Discount Card. You must be at least 60, a permanent resident and working more than 35 hours per week.
Find out more an apply online here.
Western Australia
To be eligible you must reside in Western Australia and be a permanent resident aged 65 years or more who does not work more than 25 hours in a week.
The Western Australia Seniors Card is regarded as being one of the most generous Senior Cards in Australia. More than 500 businesses throughout the state contribute to the success of the WA Seniors Card, and it includes many generous government concessions. You can apply online here.
However, the state government understands that there can be a significant barrier for some seniors, especially for those who are located in remote parts of Western Australia to provide photo identification as part of their WA Seniors Card application.
If you do not have sufficient identification documents to apply for a WA Seniors Card, please call 1800 671 233 or email [email protected] for further assistance.
Find out more here.
What’s the best thing about your Seniors Card? Which is the most useful discount for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Also read: Are you on the right carer payment?
Western Australia is so wrong to make everyone wait until 65. This needs to change.
If I’d known this I wouldn’t have moved here. It’s so important to us.
WA you should be ashamed treating the elderly like this. The richest state and the tightest .
So upset.
Everyone should rally about this. And speak up. It’s so wrong.