Concession Cards and Eligibility Requirements
Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC)
Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card Holders
ACT Seniors Card (ASC)
Other
Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC)
A Centrelink Health Care Card entitles the holder to cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), as well as other concessions from state and local governments. These concessions vary from state to state. Some of the extra concessions may also be available to your dependants.
Eligibility
To check your eligibility see www.centrelink.gov.au/Internet/internet.nsf/payments/conc_cards_hcc.htm 
How to apply
You can apply in person at a Centrelink office. To find your nearest Centrelink office see http://centrelink.findnearest.com.au/
Phone the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 to get an application form mailed out to you.
For more information
Phone the Family Assistance Office 13 61 50
Download the guide to Centrelink Concession cards www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/publications/co153.htm
Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
A Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card entitles the holder to reduced cost medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as well as other concessions. When using services covered by Medicare, you will also need to present your Medicare Card.
Department of Veterans Affairs offers a number of pension types, including income support, service pension and social security age pension. Benefits include reduced transport costs, prescription pharmaceuticals at a discount rate, discounted car registration and drivers licenses.
Eligibility
To check your eligibility for a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card see www.centrelink.gov.au/Internet/internet.nsf/payments/conc_cards_pcc.htm
To check your eligibility for a Department of Veterans affairs Pensioner card see www.dva.gov.au/pensions/elmnet/elmnetindex.htm
How to apply
You can apply in person at a Centrelink office. To find your nearest Centrelink office see http://centrelink.findnearest.com.au
Phone Retirement Services on 13 2300 to get an application form mailed out to you.
To apply for a Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card use the eligibility module at www.dva.gov.au/pensions/elmnet/elmnetindex.htm which provides a guide to test your eligibility and then provides directions for application procedures.
Pensioner Concession card holders are entitled to reduced costs medicines.
For more information on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme see www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/services/scripts/pbs-compensation.jsp
For more information on Medicare see www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/register/index.jsp
For information on the Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Card entitlements see www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/IS125%20Pensioner%20Concession%20Card.pdf
For more information
Phone Centrelink Retirement Services on 13 23 00
Down load the Guide to Centrelink Concession Cards www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/publications/co153.htm
Department of Veterans Affairs Phone: 133 254
Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card Holders
The holder of a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card is entitled to treatment and care of all health related conditions at the Departments expense, excluding diseases or injuries for which the individual has received compensation. For more detail see the Department of Veterans Affairs fact sheets at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm
Eligibility
To check your eligibility for a Gold Card see the Department of Veterans Affairs fact sheets at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm
How to apply
For information on how to apply for a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card see www.dva.gov.au/health/Gold_Card/gcindex.htm
Summary of Entitlements
The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a fact sheet ‘Concessions for Gold Card Holders ACT (SOI75)’ available at www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm
For more information
General Enquiries 133 254
Connects callers from anywhere to their capital city State office.
Non-metropolitan Callers 1800 555 254
Connects non-metropolitan callers to the capital city State office.
Dialling from Interstate 1300 13 1945
Allows callers to contact any State office via a series of voice prompts.
Local Veterans' Affairs Network (VAN) Offices 1300 55 1918
Connects callers with their nearest VAN office.
ACT Seniors Card (ASC)
ACT Seniors Card is managed by the Council on the Ageing ACT (COTA) on behalf of the ACT Government. A Seniors Card provides cardholders with discounts at over 300 businesses in the ACT and a number of businesses interstate. The ACT Seniors Card also provides concessions for transport on ACTION Buses, discounts on motor vehicle registration and dog registration in the ACT.
Eligibility
Eligibility is determined by age.
How to apply
Application forms are available from and can be lodged at ACT Government Shopfronts, ACT Public Libraries and the Council on the Ageing (ACT).
To find your nearest ACT Government Shopfront
www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/CAP/accesspoint/cc?action=shopFront&groupId=5
To find your nearest ACT Public Library see www.library.act.gov.au/mylibrary/locations
Summary of Entitlements
Businesses that offer discounts to ACT Seniors Card holders are listed in the Seniors Card Directory. hwww.dhcs.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/6328/Seniors_Card_Directory.pdf
New businesses and updates to this directory can be found at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/senior_card/act_seniors_card_directory
For more information
Seniors Card Manager
Ph: 02 6282 3777
Email: seniorscard@cota-act.org.au
Council on the Ageing
PO BOX 5566
Hughes ACT 2605
Council on the Ageing
Hughes Community Centre
Wisdom St
Hughes ACT 2605
Other
Other individuals or organisations that are eligible for various ACT Government Concessions include
Assistance Dog Users: Individuals with a disability who utilise an assistance dog.
Low Income (other than proven by a HCC): Low income earners may also be entitled to assistance if they are unable to meet the full cost of an immediate family members funeral. For more information see the Funeral Assistance Program.
Current social housing tenants with low incomes may be entitled to the rental rebate scheme that assists those individuals to meet rental costs. For more information see the Rental Rebate Scheme.
Home Buyers with moderate incomes: May be eligible for the Home Buyer Assistance Scheme which charges duty at a concessional rate and offers assistance towards improving housing affordability for those in greatest need of assistance. For more information see the Home Buyer Assistance Scheme.
Individuals who require life support equipment: Persons who use prescribed life support equipment that is electrically operated are entitled to a rebate on their electricity account. Residential property owners using life support equipment that depends on the fresh supply of water, may be entitled to a reduction in water usage charges. For more information see the Life Support Rebate.
Students with a Disability: Transport assistance to school is provided to students with a disability provided they meet other eligibility criteria. For more information see the Special Needs Transport concession.
By assessment: Individuals with a severe disability that are unable to use public transport may be entitled to a concession for transport by taxis. For more information please see the Taxi Subsidy Scheme.
By referral: Some concessions are available for health related matters, that generally require a referral from a treating professional.
