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
On the back of your Transport pass is a free trip voucher. 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 Westrail services.
If you cannot find your transport pass voucher, you should contact
DVA on 1300 551918.
Restrictions over the use of the free travel vouchers may apply
during school holiday periods.
TransWA ..........................................................13
10 53
www.transwa.wa.gov.au
Top
Annual free trip from the north west
If you 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: Department of Planning & Infrastructure (08) 92168000
TransWA 131053
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 & Infrastructure (08) 92168000
Interstate rail
The Great Southern Railway (GSR) offers free travel and sleeping
berths, but not the cost of meals, over Commonwealth owned track.
A carer may accompany the TPI veteran and may receive the same
concession on presentation of a medical certificate testifying
to the need for a carer.
The T&PI Association conducts an annual ballot to allot six
interstate (between Perth and Sydney) free travel passes for its
members. Meals are not included.
Contact: Great Southern Railway 13 21 47
Top
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
Motor Vehicle Licence
T&PI pensioners are eligible for a 100% concession on the licence
fee of a motor vehicle renewal; and exemption from the stamp duty
on the initial registration or transfer of a motor vehicle.
Contact: Department of Planning and Infrastructure 13 11 56
GST exemptions on Motor Vehicle Purchase
T&PI pensioners are entitled to exemptions from GST in respect
of the purchase of a new motor vehicle to be used for personal
transportation. Some restrictions apply.
T&PI pensioners are also entitled to exemption from GST in respect
of necessary spare parts required for the running of a motor vehicle
owned by the pensioner and used for personal transportation.
The attached declaration will need to be printed out and completed
to claim the exemption on the motor vehicle purchase.
The Department of Veterans Affairs cannot offer taxation advice,
any specific taxation queries should be directed to the Australian
Taxation Office.
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 & Infrastructure 131156
Top
Transperth Bus, Train and Ferry services
T&PI pensioners are entitled to a Transperth free pass, allowing
free unrestricted travel on all Transperth services.
Contact: DVA 1300 551918 0r 1800 555 254 (country callers)
Household concessions
Council rates
T&PI pensioners may be able to obtain a rebate of up to 50% on
current municipal rates.
To apply for the rebate they must hold a State Concession Card.
The card is issued by the Department of Family and Children Services.
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 or recovered.
Please check with your local council.
It is very important that advice of any change in ownership or
residency is advised immediately to the local council as this
affects your entitlements to a rebate or deferment.
Contact: Your local council or The Department For Community
Development (08) 9222 2502
Energy
The State Government provides a energy rebate for households
under the Domestic Energy rebate Scheme.
T&PI pensioners 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.
The following rebates apply: a 100% rebate on the supply charge
for electricity a dependent child rebate for children in your
care an exemption on the account establishment fee on a new domestic
account or the transfer of an account.
Contact: Western Power 13 13 53
Top
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: Deprtment of Housing & Works (08)
92224666
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 1300 551918 or 1800 555254 (country callers)
Top
Health concessions
Gold Card
As a T&PI pensioner you have 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.
Carer Allowance
This allowance is paid by Centrelink to a person who is spending
considerable time caring for someone living in the same house,
because of their disability, frailty or medical condition. This
allowance is tax free and is not means tested.
Contact: Centrelink 132717
www.centrelink.gov.au
Pharmaceuticals
You are entitled to prescription medicines listed on the Repatriation
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) by paying a patient contribution
charge per prescribed medicine. You will pay more than the basic
patient contribution 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 your recorded spending
exceeds the safety net limit 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 enquiries about the cost of prescription
medicines call 1800020613
Top
Miscellaneous
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 on1300650579
www.legalaid.wa.gov.au
Recreational Fishing Licences
You may be entitled to a 50% discount on the licence fee.
Contact: Fisheries Department (08) 9482 7333
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).
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.
Veterans’ Children Education Scheme
Financial assistance and career guidance and counselling is
available to dependent students of living or deceased T&PI veterans.
Contact: DVA 1300 551918 or 1800 555254 (country callers)
Top
|
