Transport concessions
Air Travel
If you are 60 years or over you may obtain a discount on the
full economy fare in most situations. The rate of discount varies
and is set by the airlines. Proof of age is required. Fares are
subject to availability and some conditions apply.
Vision impaired people (and escorts) may receive a 50% discount
on the full economy fare, and a guide dog will be carried free
of charge. The Association for the Blind issues a letter confirming
eligibility of the passenger and attendant for access to the concession.
Qantas Airways.........................13 13 13
Skywest Airlines........................1300660088
Association for the Blind......... (08) 9311 8202
Annual Free Trip
You will receive a free trip voucher with your PCC each year.
You may use it to redeem your entitlement to two free single journeys
between the same locations in the same year, or one return journey
per year on TransWA services.
If you lose your voucher, you should contact TransWA on (08)
9326 2600, and tell them that it has been lost, misplaced or stolen.TransWA will send an application for for a replacement voucher.
An administration fee may apply to re-issue the voucher.
Restrictions over the use of the free travel vouchers will apply
during school holiday periods.
DVA ..................................1300551918 or 1800555254 (country callers)
TransWA ...........................13 10 53
www.transwa.wa.gov.au
Annual free trip from the north west
If you hold a PCC and have been living north of the 26th parallel
for a continuous period of at least 2 years, you are entitled
to one free trip per calendar year to Perth (or anywhere in the
South West that can be reached for an equivalent fare).
The trip must be taken on a regular air or bus service, from
the town nearest to your residence, and the return section of
the journey completed within 3 months.
Contact:
TransWA ...........................13 10 53
Attendant’s scheme
A 50% subsidy is available to carers who accompany people with
severe disabilities when travelling on Westrail or privately operated
inter-town bus services.
Contact:
Department of Planning and Infrastructure .......(08) 92168000
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Interstate rail
PCC holders are eligible for a discount from Great Southern
Railways for rail journeys on:
- the Indian Pacific
- the Ghan
- the Overlander
Contact:
Great Southern Railways..................132147
Easy access parking
ACROD issues parking permits to people who are no longer able
to use regular parking because of their disabilities (either as
a driver or as a passenger). Permits are issued to individuals,
regardless of age, based on a set of criteria.
Contact: ACROD...................... (08) 92425544
www.acrod.org.au
Inter-town Rail or Coach Fares
You are entitled to a 50% discount on the basic fare on regular
TransWA services in country areas.
A 30% concession on the adult fare is available on privately
operated bus services between WA towns. An additional concession
is offered by some private operators.
Contact;
Department of Planning and Infrastructure .........(08) 92168000
www.dpi.wa.gov.au
TransWA ......................................131053
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Intra-town Bus Fares
Concessions of up to 66% of the adult fare may be offered on
privately operated bus services within country towns in WA.
Contact;
Department of Planning and Infrastructure .........(08) 92168000
www.dpi.wa.gov.au
Motor Driver Licence
PCC holders receiving a service pension from DVA who are of age
pension age (65 male or 61 female) receive drivers' licences free.
All other PCC holders are entitled to a 50% discount.
Contact:
Department of Planning and Infrastructure Licensing Division 13 11 56
Motor Vehicle Registration
Most PCC holders are eligible for a 50% concession on the licence
fee of a motor vehicle renewal, subject to completion of an application
form and production of their card. However they are NOT exempted
from payment of stamp duty on transfer or initial registration
of a vehicle.
A 100% concession, and exemption from stamp duty on transfer
or initial registration of a vehicle, is available to holders
granted service pension on the grounds of Invalidity (section
37 of the VEA), and who are on the maximum rate of service pension.
Applicants must provide a letter from DVA confirming their eligibility.
There is a limit of one concession per person, for any of the
above.
Contact:
Department of Planning and Infrastructure Licensing Division 13 11 56
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Perth to Meekatharra
The free trip voucher may be used to undertake one free return
journey per year on Greyhound or Pioneer services between Perth
and Meekatharra or places en route.
Contact;
Department of Planning and Infrastructure...................(08) 92168000
Taxi User Subsidy Scheme
The scheme offers a 50% fare subsidy (to a maximum of $25 per
trip) to people who have severe and permanent disabilities, when
travelling in conventional or multi-purpose (wheelchair accessible)
taxis throughout the state.
Contact:
Department of Planning and Infrastructure.................... (08) 92168000
Transperth Bus, Train and Ferry services
Concessional fares are available on normal bus, train and ferry
services. Your card must be shown to obtain the concession.
A low cost All Day ticket allowing unlimited travel on metropolitan
services is available for card holders.
Contact:
Transperth Information....................... 13 62 13
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Household concessions
Council rates
PCC holders may be able to obtain a rebate of up to 50% on current
municipal rates. The rated land must be owned and occupied by
the card holder at 1 July each year. The applicant must also be
a cardholder at 1 July each year. Where the rated land belongs
to a number of people (other than a spouse) a proportionate rebate
may be obtained.
Applicants for the rebate should register with the relevant council
within 35 days from the date of issue of the rates notice.
In some circumstances, annual rates may be deferred. Please
check with your local council. Deferred rates are a charge against
the property ane may be recovered:
Contact: Your local council
Energy
The State Government provides a energy rebate for households
under the Domestic Energy rebate Scheme. All PCC holders may claim
concessions in respect of their principal place of residence for
energy supplied for residential use. Because every eligible energy
customer is an electricity customer but may not be a gas customer,
the State Government has chosen to pay its rebate through Western
Power. There is no additional rebate for Alinta Gas customers.
You may be eligible for:
Contact:
Western Power..................................... 13 13 53
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Housing
Homeswest has a range of assistance programmes available to low
and middle income earners seeking rental accommodation or home
finance. These include Rental Assistance, Bond Assistance, Mortgage
Support and a number of Home Purchase Assistance programmes
Contact:
Department of Housing and Works office on (08) 92224666
www.dhw.wa.gov.au
Post Office
Australia Post offers free redirection of mail for the first
month if you change your postal address.
Free postage is available to blind pensioners for approved literature
received or sent as surface mail, and at a reduced rate by air
mail.
Contact:
Your local Post Office
Telephone allowance
If you have a telephone connected to your home for private use,
registered in your name (or your partner’s) then you are able
to get a Telephone Allowance. The payment is made by DVA every
three months with your pension. The allowance is paid four times per year and is indexed annually.
Contact:
DVA 13005519184 or 1800555254 (country callers)
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Telephone Concessions
Telstra offers a number of concessions to PCC holders, including:
- new service connection fees reduced by $50
- in-place connection fees reduced by $25
- discount on first 10 calls made each month
A brochure 'Pensioner Benefits' detailing the products and
services which may be of help to card holders is available on
request
Contact:
Telstra ........................................13 22 00
Water, Sewage and Drainage
PCC holders may be able to obtain a rebate of up to 50%, or
deferment of the payment of the annual service charge. Pensioners
must own and occupy the residential property as their ordinary
place of residence as at 1 July of the charging year. Pensioners
should register with the Water Corporation before 31 July of
the charging year. Where the water rates are billed by the local
council, applications should be with the council by 31 July.
PCC holders may also be eligible for a concession of 50% on
part of the water consumption charges. Applications must be
made to the Water Corporation if you are not currently registered
for the property concerned. Where the water rates are billed
by the local council, you should direct your enquiries to that
council. The concession is also available to card holders who
occupy a residential property but do not necessarily own it.
Contact:
Water Corporation................................ 13 13 85
Bunbury Water Board ...........................(08) 9780 9500
Busselton Water Board .......................(08) 9754 1811
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Health concessions
Gold Card - White Card
If you are a veteran or war widow with a Repatriation Health
Card - for All Conditions (gold card), that card should always
be used when accessing medical, hospital, pharmaceutical and allied
health services. The card entitles you to a wider range of health
benefits than the concessions listed below.
If you are a veteran with a Repatriation Health Card - for specific
Conditions (white card) you should use that card when accessing
medical, hospital, pharmaceutical and allied health services in
respect of the accepted disabilities. The card entitles you to
a wider range of health benefits than the concessions listed below.
If you only hold a PCC you should use it in conjunction with
your Medicare card when accessing medical, hospital, pharmaceutical
and allied health services (as should white card holders in respect
of non-accepted disabilities).
Ambulance Fee Concession
PCC holders are entitled to a 50% rebate on the cost of ambulance
transport. No concession fee is offered on Ambulance Benefit Fund
membership fees.
Contact:
St John Ambulance............................. (08) 9334 1222
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Dental Treatment
Subsidised dental treatment is available to most PCC holders
under the State Dental Scheme, if they have been receiving a pension
for six months or more.
Treatment can be obtained through public dental clinics, Dental Health Services, or in places where there are no clinics, through
dental practitioners who participate in the Country Patients Dental
Subsidy Scheme. You may be asked to provide a statement of pension
income. These may be obtained from DVA on 1300551918 or 1800 555 254.
Contact: Your nearest public dental clinic
Dental Health Services...............93130555
Carer Allowance
This allowance(previously called the Domiciliary Nursing Care
Benefit) provides financial support to carers of frail aged, or
younger people with a disability, who have been assessed as requiring
nursing home level of care.
The benefit is tax free, not means tested, and is indexed each
January. The rate from July 1998 is $75.60 per fortnight.
Contact:
Centrelink ....................132717
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Eye Care
PCC holders are eligible for free eye examinations with optometrists
who bulk bill Medicare. Free eye examinations are also provided
through government eye care clinics at selected public hospitals.
Contact:
Your local optometrist or eye clinic.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation are available through
the Office of Hearing Services. Hearing assessment and hearing
rehabilitation, including provision and fitting of some hearing
aids are available free of charge. You will be asked to pay an
annual fee (currently $30) to cover maintenance, repairs and the
supply of batteries.
Contact:
Office of Hearing Services..........1800 500 726 or TTY 1800 500
496
Patients Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)
The scheme provides financial help for travel and accommodation
expenses to WA country residents who must travel more than 100
kilometres, one way, to obtain essential specialist medical treatment
which is not available locally, or from a visiting specialist.
Under the scheme assistance is available for an attendant to
accompany the patient, where it is necessary for medical reasons.
Applications for assistance must be completed by a general practitioner
and lodged prior to departure at the nearest public hospital.
Contact:
Your nearest public hospital or nursing post
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Pharmaceuticals
PCC holders are entitled to prescription medicines listed on
the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at the concessional price. You will pay more than the concessional price
if the medicine is not listed on the scheme or is only partially
covered.
There is a safety net to help people who need a lot of medicines.
To join the safety net you obtain a Prescription Record Form from
a pharmacy or public hospital. You should ask your pharmacist
to record your purchase of prescription medicines on the form.
When the total of the prescribed items
exceeds 52 in a calendar year, you are entitled to most scheme
medicines free of charge for the rest of the calendar year.
Contact: If you have any queries about the cost of prescription
medicines call 1800020 613
Spectacles Subsidy Scheme
Under the scheme Pensioner Concession Card holders are entitled
to claim a 50% subsidy on the cost of one set of spectacles every
two years (to a maximum of $50). If you are entitled to assistance
for spectacles from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs you are
not entitled to a further subsidy under this scheme.
Contact:
Spectacles Subsidy Scheme, Health Department of WA (08) 9222 4222
www.health.wa.gov.au
Miscellaneous
Department for Community Development
This State Government department has a range of programmes to help
those in severe financial crisis. These include:
- The Unforeseen Crisis Programme—where a person or family has become
destitute because of an unforeseen crisis beyond their control
- Recurring Health Expenses—to meet extraordinary recurring health
expenses
- Optical Programme—where a person with a serious eye condition
does not have the means to purchase spectacles and does not qualify
for other assistance
- Funerals Programme—limited help is available in certain circumstances
Contact:
Department for Community Development..................... (08) 92222555 or 1800622258
www.community.wa.gov.au
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Legal Aid
Legal Aid Western Australia provides low cost initial advice
and assistance to those in need of it throughout WA. The services
provided include:
Contact:
Legal Aid Information Line on (08) 9261 6200 or 1800 809 616 for
country callers.
Recreational Fishing Licences
Card holders are entitled to a 50% discount on the licence fee.
Contact:
Fisheries Department ..................................(08) 9482
7333
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Second Harvest
Second Harvest operates many community food centres in the country
and metropolitan area providing low cost food to card holders
and people on low income.
Contact:
Second Harvest ..............................................(08)
9277 3756
Seniors Card
This card entitles holders to a range of concessions on a wide
range of products and services. (This card is not the same as
the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card - refer to the fact sheet).
To be eligible for a Seniors Card you must be:
- 60 years or over
- a permanent resident in Western Australia
- not in full time employment.
Contact:
Seniors Card Hotline on (08) 9221 1236 or 1800 671 233 for country
callers.
TAFE
Concessions are available on fees for vocational and adult courses.
Contact: your nearest TAFE campus.
Zoo Entrance Fees
Discounted entrance fees are available to card holders
Contact: Zoo information line (08) 9474 3551
www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au
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Other Cards
Concessions are also offered on cards other than the PCC. For
instance, some DVA pensioners may be eligible for concessions
because they have a Gold Card. If you are unsure which card to
use, make sure that you ask the authority or business that is
providing the concession. Only one discount is available on a
service at any time.
All states issue their own Seniors Card. Eligibility for this
card is determined by each state and is usually based on age and/or
the number of hours worked. per week. Concessions vary between
states but may include discounts on travel, licences or household
expenses. State Seniors Cards are also often accepted at local
businesses and may be accepted where a PCC is not.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is issued to eligible
veterans and their partners who do not receive an income support
pension. CSHC entitles the holder to prescription pharmaceuticals
at concession rates, telephone allowance, concession fares on Great Southern Railways, and, combined with a State Seniors Card, council and water rates. To qualify for a CSHC applicants also need
to meet other criteria.
Obligations
You should:
- tell us if you change your address;
- return your card if you no longer receive an income support
pension.
Remember
Some agencies and businesses give concessions for more than one
type of card and in some cases at a different rate.
Always ask if:
- you are unsure about whether you are eligible for a concession;
or
- you have more than one card and are not sure which one to use.
More information
If you need more information contact your DVA office on 1300551918 or 1800555254 for country callers.
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