Unique concessions available to Australian seniors

As you approach retirement, a whole new world of senior discounts becomes available to you, aimed at acknowledging and honouring the valuable contributions of older Australians. 

While many people know of the major discounts available in areas such as transportation, utilities, and entertainment, there are also a number of unique and lesser-known benefits available to seniors in each state and territory. 

However, it can be difficult to discover and decipher the raft of concessions available to you, with the majority of them spread out across different government and business websites.

To make things easier for you, Starts at 60 has created a free, downloadable e-guide, called ‘Seniors Concessions Guide 2023’, released in March 2023, sharing the concessions available to those who hold the following cards: 

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card;
• Pensioner Concession Card;
• Health Care Card; and
• Seniors Card.

To give you a preview of what you can find in the eGuide, we’ve highlighted some of the more unique concessions in New South Wales and Queensland that you may not have known existed.

New South Wales

The NSW Government provides free Pensioner Will Preparation Services to those receiving Centrelink’s full Age Pension. NSW Trustee & Guardian can assist pensioners in preparing a Will completely free of charge and can be accessed either in person or over the phone. 

NSW Trustee & Guardian also offer to prepare a Power of Attorney free of charge to those receiving Centrelink’s full Age Pension. Pensioners can begin the process online or make an in-person appointment. 

Important Note: Fees and charges may apply for estate administration if NSW Trustee & Guardian are appointed executors of the Will. 

If you enjoy fishing, the NSW Government offer a 50 per cent discount on the recreational fishing license for Pension Concession Card holders. 

Pension Concession Card holders can apply for a National Parks Concession Pass to gain free vehicle entry into any of the 45 NSW national parks and reserves that charge entry fees. Pensioners can save up to $190 in annual park pass fees. Apply for your NSW parks concession pass here.

Seniors Card holders are entitled to a 20 per cent discount on all NSW National Parks Annual Passes. The National Parks Senior Discount does not include day or multi-day passes. You can apply for the seniors discount here. 

Important Note: Please allow up to 3 business days for the National Parks Concession Pass and National Parks Senior Discount to process.

Queensland

The State of QLD offers Pensioner Concession Card holders access to the Home Assist Secure service. The scheme offers referrals and subsidised maintenance and assistance including: 

• yard and outside maintenance
• small repairs and maintenance
• smoke alarm-related jobs, e.g. installation, battery changes, vent cleaning
• jobs, repairs and maintenance requiring a licensed tradesperson (e.g. an electrician).

If eligible, Home Assist Secure can also help employ tradespeople for you and plan any future work necessary for you. The scheme offers financial help towards minor home maintenance and modifications required for health, safety and security, or that need to be completed for you to continue residing at the property. 

For the full list of conditions, eligibility requirements, and providers, see here. 

For a full and extensive list of concessions available to Australian Seniors in each state, download your copy of our FREE Senior Concessions eGuide here. 

Disclaimer: The information in this e-guide was gathered from websites affiliated with state and territorial governments as of January 2023. Although utmost care was taken to ensure its accuracy, it’s always best to confirm the available concessions with the relevant card provider if you have any doubts. This guide is meant to serve only as an informational reference and presents the maximum available entitlements. The results from the calculator are just estimations and should not be considered as a definite entitlement. The figures and formulas used in this guide may be subject to change without notice, as determined by state governments.