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The best discounts for pensioners in Australia

Growing older has its perks – as well as wisdom and perspective, you can also get some sweet discounts. Here are the best perks for Australian seniors.

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Shirley Liu
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As you get older your financial situation changes drastically. Your earnings may reduce, your time available to make up for losses will decrease, and it becomes more important than ever to have all your financial eggs in a row.

But while long-term planning to manage your pension and superannuation can be a hassle, there are also increased opportunities for savings money. There are lots of discounts and deals available exclusively for pensioners – some well-known, some rarely used, and as always, finder.com.au is here to scour the market for the best available.

Concession cards

One of the best-known routes to saving is using a concession card. Many concession schemes for pensioners are free and require nothing more than proof of age, while others have a membership fee.

National Seniors card

National Seniors is a national consumer lobby for Australians over 50. It offers membership for a low yearly fee (starting from $40), which offers access discounts, rewards, reduced price insurance and an advice line.

Am I eligible?

The National Seniors card is open to anyone who:

  • Is age 50 years or over or
  • Has a spouse/partner who is 50 years or over.

What do I get?

  • Hundreds of discounts, including money off flights, wines, healthcare and travel.
  • Discounts on insurance, including travel, home & contents and vehicle insurance.
  • Advice and information on a range of important topics, including careers, health and technology.

Click here for more information on the National Seniors Card.

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Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

The Commonwealth Seniors Card is provided by the Australian Department of Human Services, and provide older Australians with access to cheaper prescription medicines, government medical services and other federal concessions.

Am I eligible?

You qualify for the Seniors Health Card if you:

  • Have reached age pension age (usually 65)
  • Have a Tax File Number, or a valid reason for not having one.
  • Are resident in Australia.

You also need to have an income below a certain level. . At the time of writing, the income requirement is set at:

  • $51,500 for singles
  • $82,400 combined for couples
  • $103,000 combined for couples separated by illness or respite care, or where one partner is in prison

What do I get?

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card entitles you to discounts on Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription medicines, which can represent a significant saving. You will also need to show your Medicare Card when lodging your prescription.

You may also get discounts on:

  • Rail travel on Great Southern Rail services, such as the Indian Pacific, the Ghan and the Overland
  • Out-of-hospital medical expenses through the Medicare Safety Net
  • Health, household, transport and education concessions, as offered by different businesses and retailers in each state. More information on this will be provided once your application for the card is accepted by your state.
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Pensioner Concession Card

Another card from the Australian Government, the Pensioner Concession Card aims to provides some health concessions and access to other discounts.

Am I eligible?

You may be able to get a Pensioner Concession Card if you receive any of the following benefits:

  • Age pension
  • Bereavement allowance
  • Carer payment
  • Disability support pension
  • Newstart or youth allowance.
  • Parenting payment

You're also eligible if you’re aged over 60 and have been receiving any of the following allowances for more than nine months:

  • Newstart allowance
  • Parenting payment
  • Partner allowance
  • Sickness allowance
  • Special benefit
  • Widow allowance

What do I get?

The Pensioner Concession card entitles you to reduced price medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. You may also be eligible for other concessions including:

  • Bulk billing for doctor's appointments (at your doctor's discretion)
  • Refunds for medical expenses through the Medicare Safety Net
  • Assistance with hearing services
  • Discounted mail redirection through Australia Post

Depending on your state or territory, you might also be entitled to:

  • Reduced property or water rates
  • Reduced energy bills
  • Reduced fares on public transport
  • Reduced cost of motor vehicle registration
  • Free rail journeys
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Any other discounts for those over 60?

Aside from the card and membership schemes, many private businesses also offer discounts for seniors. It’s always worth asking in every store you visit. A few that we have found which offer senior discounts: SpecSavers, Red Rooster, Best Western Hotels, Ultratune and Telstra.

Travel insurance

You have more free time to travel when you're retired – but getting insurance can be tricky. Older people, in general, usually have to pay more for insurance, and people over 80 may struggle to find cover at all. There are several insurance companies that offer specialised travel insurance policies designed with seniors in mind. If you’re on the look out for insurance, then check any of the links below:

Credit cards

It can also be tricky to qualify for a credit card if you’re no longer working, but there are always options. Check out the link below for our full guide to credit cards for seniors.

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The secret: ask, ask, ask!

The most important rule: constantly ask if there is any seniors discount. Every time you visit a store or are checking out with a purchase, get into the habit of asking 'Are there any discounts available for seniors?' The worst that they can do is say no.

A lot of businesses keep quiet about discounts they offer, and so you might not see your discount advertised. But if you ask, you might find yourself with a little more money in your pocket.

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24 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    KERRIJune 13, 2019

    Hi I am 53 and was wondering wether I’m entitled to a seniors card

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NikkiJune 13, 2019

      Hi Kerri,

      Thanks for your inquiry!

      Yes, according to our page above, you are entitled to the National Seniors Card.

      The age requirement for the National Seniors card is open to anyone who:

      • is age 50 years or over or
      • Has a spouse/partner who is 50 years or over

      Below are the benefits:

      • Hundreds of discounts, including money off flights, wines, healthcare, and travel.
      • Discounts on insurance, including travel, home & contents, and vehicle insurance.
      • Advice and information on a range of important topics, including careers, health, and technology.

      You can find more information about the National Seniors Card.

      Hope this helps!

      Best,
      Nikki

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    IwanFebruary 11, 2019

    I would like to to Perth return From Brisbane, on my Seniors Health card, could you tell me the cost, regarding the travel arraignment sleeper etc

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NikkiFebruary 12, 2019

      Hi Iwan,

      Thanks for getting in touch! The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card gives you access to prescription medicines, government medical services and other federal concessions, rail travel, out of hospital medical expenses and etc. As the costs are offered by different businesses and retailers in each state, the costs are not visible to us and must be asked directly from the provider itself. Hope this clarifies!

      Best,
      Nikki

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    GailNovember 29, 2018

    Why do aged pensioners in NSW get better services and more discounts than aged pensioners in QLD ? If I’m an old lady in NSW than I’m an old lady in QLD and the rest of Australia as well

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      ValDecember 4, 2018Staff

      Hi Gail,

      Thank you for leaving a question.

      Each state and territory has a Seniors Card scheme and some reciprocal arrangements are in place for using your card in other states. It is a free card providing transport concessions and participating business discounts on a range of goods and services.

      You might want to check on the
      https://www.gov.au/ to check on the differences per state scheme offered.

      Cheers!
      Val

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    HoneyDecember 29, 2017

    Even though I am now no longer working, as I can only get a seniors business card in Queensland. Is it recognised as a Seniors Card so that I can get discounts?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JhezDecember 31, 2017Staff

      Hi Honey,

      Thank you for your comment.

      If you hold a Seniors Business Card, you can avail discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland. You can also access the free Senior Shopper service. To know the details, kindly visit Queensland Government Website.

      Unlike Seniors card, you may not have an eligibility for certain Queensland Government concessions.

      Hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    MarianSeptember 27, 2017

    Where can I get help with my garden in Armadale WA

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      GruSeptember 28, 2017

      Hello Marian.

      Thanks for reaching out to Finder.

      For now, we do not feature a gardening service just yet.

      Alternatively, you may search further online for a gardening services provider in your area and from there, select what would best suit your needs. You may also want to check out some voucher codes and discount coupons for when you would want to purchase items for your garden.

      Cheers,
      Gru

      Reply
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