South Australia (SA)
Detailed information on concessions for South Australian residents can be found in the Factsheet CON04 Concessions in SA (PDF 131kB).
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.
PCC card holders in South Australia may also be eligible for concessions provided by the South Australian government, local councils or private companies. These include: limited free rail travel within South Australia, concessions on interstate rail travel and some private interstate coach travel, and concessions on government public transport. Concessions, reductions and other benefits may also be available on gas, rates, water and sewerage, electricity, vehicle registration and drivers' licenses. Ambulance cover, spectacles, and some pet services may also be available at reduced costs.
Special Rate 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 Seniors Card; others may be claimed on the basis of a DVA Gold card; others require proof of T&PI status.
T&PI veterans are eligible for limited free travel on the Great Southern Railway; free metro travel from TransAdelaide; concessions on property rates, and concessions on motor vehicle registration and drivers' licenses. Concessions may also be available on utilities bills, and exemptions from stamp duty and GST may be available on the purchase of private vehicles.
War widow(er)s
War widow(er)s in South Australia may be eligible for concessions through a number of schemes, such as the PCC, the Gold Card, and the state Seniors Card. Using a gold card, war widow(er)s can access concession travel from TransAdelaide; widow(er)s of WWI veterans can access limited free travel on the Great Southern Railway; war widow(er) may be able to access concessions on private bus travel and electricity 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.