Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Detailed information on concessions for ACT residents can be found in the Factsheet CON08 Concessions in ACT (PDF 122kB).

Pensioner Concession Cards

The Australian Government issues, through DVA, a Pensioner Concession Card to eligible persons on service pensions, age pensions, and income support supplement. Holders are eligible for a range of Australian Government concessions including the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the National Diabetes Services Scheme, benefits through the Office of Hearing Services, and some discounts on Great Southern Railway services, Telstra and Australia Post services.

Other discounts are provided by the ACT government, such as discount travel on ACTION buses, drivers license fees, and rebates on rates. NSW government concessions available to ACT PCC holders include free ambulance transport and limited free travel on Countrylink trains. The PCC is also used by other agencies to determine concessions on bills, private transport and items such as spectacles.

Special Rate (T&PI) Veterans

Special Rate (formerly Totally and Permanently Incapacitated) Veterans are eligible for State, Federal and private company concessions on the basis of a number of schemes. Many concessions may be claimed if the veteran holds a Pensioner Concession Card or ACT Seniors Card; others may be claimed on the basis of a DVA Gold card; others still require proof of T&PI status.

In the ACT, Special Rate veterans are eligible for free travel on ACTION buses; concessions on water and sewerage; concessions on registration and drivers' licenses; GST exemption on new cars; exemptions from Stamp Duty in the purchase of private vehicles; and other concessions available to the veteran community as a whole.

War widow(er)s

War widow(er)s in the ACT are eligible for a number of concessions if they hold Pensioner Concession Cards or Seniors Cards, or on the basis of their DVA Gold Card. They can access discounted travel on the Great Southern Railway and ACTION buses; widows of WWI veterans can obtain free travel on ACTION buses. ACTEW AGL may offer a rebate on utilities bills.

What if I hold several concession cards?

Many veterans will hold more than one concession card. For example, a war widow is entitled to a Gold Card from DVA, and may also hold a Pensioner Concession Card and a Seniors Card.

For health services, veterans and widow(er)s should use their Gold Card if they have one. If the veteran or widow(er) holds a White Card they should use it for their accepted disability, and their PCC for other medical needs. If the veteran or widow(er) lives in a state which provides free ambulance transport to Pensioner Concession Card holders, and the veteran or widow(er) holds a PCC, they should use that card when travelling by ambulance or when they receive the bill.

For all other services, the veteran should consult the service provider about entitlements for different cards. Often the concessions will be the same, but sometimes they differ. Many small businesses only accept the state Seniors Card, so it may be in your interest to apply for one. Information is available on the factsheets about how to apply for a Seniors Card in each state.