Seniors Card explained

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 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:

NT

NSW

Qld

SA

ACT

Tas

Vic

WA

Australian Seniors card by state and territory

Australian Capital Territory
To be eligible for the ACT Seniors Card you must be at least 62 years of age (although this is being lowered to 60 from July 2020), a permanent resident of the territory and not involved in paid employment for any longer than 20 hours per week.

To obtain a card, simply make an application at ACT government public libraries, office of the Council on the Ageing, or the Hughes Community Centre. You cannot apply online in the ACT as you can in some other states. When applying, you will have to provide proof of ACT residency and your age. It then has to be witnessed by a staff member from the organisation where you are making the application.
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.
Find out more

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.

You can apply online using the Seniors Card Application Form on the NSW Seniors Card website. If you don’t have it already, you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and use the file. On completion of the form, you are required to have it witnessed by a Justice of the Peace before mailing it to Locked Bag 7001, Liverpool, NSW 1871.

You can obtain an application form at:

  • any Centrelink office in NSW
  • any branch of the ANZ Bank in NSW
  • DADHC regional offices
  • any electoral office of a parliamentary Legislative Assembly member
  • NSW Government Access Centres
  • local council offices throughout the state
  • the NSW Offices of Fair Trading
  • local government libraries
  • any NSW Trustee office. 

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

Queensland
Application for a Queensland Seniors Card can be made two months prior to your 60th birthday. Your eligibility will be determined when you apply. An alternative to the Seniors Card in Queensland is the Senior Business Discount Card. All you need do is go to the Queensland Government Community Services website, fill and submit your completed form online.
Find out more

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.

South Australian Seniors Card holders receive:

  • free Adelaide metro public transport between 9am and 3pm every week day
  • free Adelaide metro public transport all weekend and public holidays
  • 50 percent concession on all state public transport at other times
  • concessions when using public transport in any other Australian state or territory
  • rebates on the State Emergency Services Levy and council rates if you meet the conditions.


Find out more

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. 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:

  • Medicare card
  • debit or credit card that contains your signature
  • Centrelink Aged Pension Card or your Veterans affairs card
  • change of name or marriage certificate
  • a recent bank statement
  • water, gas or power bill issued within the last six months.


Find out more

Victoria
To be eligible for the 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.

In Victoria, you can apply for the card at any Australia Post outlet. When you are finished completing the form, you can send it to Seniors Card Program, GPO Box 4316, Melbourne Vic 3001, or email the completed form to seniorscard@health.vic.gov.au 
Find out more

Western Australia
To be eligible you must reside in Western Australia and be a permanent resident aged 63 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 using a WA Seniors Card Application form. You can also obtain one from the WA Senior Card Centre, the major banking establishments, and local council offices of parliamentary electoral offices. The completed form is to be sent to WA Seniors Card Centre, level 2, 140 William Street, Perth WA 6000.

Find out more

What’s the best thing about your Seniors Card? Which is the most useful discount for you?

Related articles:
Seniors Card goes trans-Tasman
Seniors Card – What if you lose it?
Getting the most out of your seniors card

Written by Ben Hocking

Ben Hocking is a skilled writer and editor with interests and expertise in politics, government, Centrelink, finance, health, retirement income, superannuation, Wordle and sports.

Leave a Reply

How to calculate travel costs

Clean your oven and microwave