Concessions for Pensioners: Queensland (QLD)
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Are you unsure of what you’re eligible for as an Australian senior? We’re here to help!
This guide details the benefits of Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders in Queensland (QLD). With the card, you can get cheaper medicine, bulk-billed doctor visits, and help with hearing services.
If you want to know more about what a PCC is and how to avail it, click here!
Read on to determine what concessions you're entitled to with your PCC!
In Queensland, you can check your eligibility for various concessions here.
Utilities
Electricity and gas
The electricity rebate is worth $372.20 per year, and holders of a Queensland seniors card, pensioner concession card, Low-Income Health Care Card and Veterans’ Gold Card are eligible.
Many cardholders are also eligible for the reticulated natural gas rebate of $80.77.
Check the full list of criteria and eligible cardholders to be sure.
The process is different depending on your energy setup. For the gas rebate, you’ll need to contact your provider and give them some information about your bills and concession details. For electricity, it depends on whether you hold the account directly or if you live in an apartment, residential park or another kind of dwelling and someone else sends your bill to you. Check the details on the Queensland government website.
For contact details of energy providers, check the listings on the Queensland energy and water ombudsman’s website.
Water
Eligible Pensioner Concession Card and Veteran Gold Card holders may be eligible for a subsidy of up to $120 each year off the cost of water access and usage charges. For more information, contact your water retailer.
Rates
Pensioner Concession card holders and Veteran Gold Card holders may be eligible to receive a subsidy of 20% (up to a maximum of $200 each year) of the gross rates and charges levied by your local council. For more information, contact your local council.
Motor vehicle registration
You may be eligible for a reduction on your vehicle or boat registration fee if you are:
See a table comparison guide of registration fees for concession card holders.
Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 2211
BRISBANE QLD 4001
If you hold a Seniors Card or you're a prescribed services person, you only have to show your concession document once.
If you have a Pensioner Concession Card you must show it every time you apply for concessional registration.
If you are presenting a digital copy of your Pensioner Concession Card as an alternative to your physical concession card, you will need to log into the Australian Government Centrelink Express Plus mobile app on your smart device and show your current card within the digital wallet.
Find more information about the Australian Government Centrelink Express Plus mobile app.
If you apply for a concession for a vehicle that is already part way through a registration period, the concession will take effect immediately, and you may be given a refund for the difference between the full registration amount and the concession amount for the remaining time in the registration period.
Concessions can only be applied to the current registration period and cannot be backdated to prior periods.
If you apply for a concession for a boat that is already part way through a registration period, the concession will take effect from the next registration period. Concessions for boats cannot be backdated to prior registration periods.
Transport
A Seniors Card+go is the easiest way to pay for public transport in South-East Queensland. It combines the discount of a Seniors Card with the convenience of the TransLink go card into one card.
Apply for a Seniors Card+go.
A concession fare is 50% cheaper than an adult fare, and some concession card holders are eligible for free travel on Translink, qconnect and regional ferry services.
The following groups can travel on a 50% concession fare (please check for eligibility and conditions of travel):
If you have one of the following cards, you will receive free travel: (please check for eligibility and conditions of travel)
Seniors Card +go is FREE, so you won't pay the usual $5 refundable deposit.
To apply:
You must pay a $5 refundable deposit and add a minimum of $5 credit to your card before you can travel.
Paper concession tickets can be bought:
Queensland Rail
Concession Card holders are entitled to four (4) Queensland rail entitlements each calendar year. To use your entitlements, you must have a valid Concession Card at the time of ticketing.
The following Concession Card holders are eligible for four (4) rail entitlements each calendar year to travel on long-distance services across Queensland.
On presentation of a current Australian state or territory Government Seniors Card, customers will receive a discount of up to 50% off the full adult rail fare on Queensland Rail Travel network services. Meals and upgrades to sleeping berths are additional costs.
On presentation of a current Seniors Business Discount Card, customers will receive a discount of up to 15% off the full adult rail fare on Queensland Rail Travel network services. Meals and upgrades to sleeping berths are additional costs.
For Veterans
Veterans possessing a TPI or TPI/EDA Veterans Travel Pass are entitled to one return journey on Queensland Rail Travel long-distance rail services each fortnight.
The travel entitlement covers Business, Premium Economy and Economy Seats.
If the cardholder exceeds their entitlement for the fortnight, they are entitled to half-fare travel as often as they wish.
Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Lift Payment
The Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) subsidises taxi travel—half of the total fare, up to a maximum of $30 per trip—for people with severe disabilities.
You can find more information on eligibility and how to apply here.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)
PTSS provides financial assistance for eligible patients to access specialist medical services not available locally.
If you live in Queensland and have been referred by a clinician to a specialist medical service that is unavailable at your local public hospital, you may be eligible for a subsidy.
You can register your interest here.
Courtesy Bus
Many RSLs offer a free courtesy bus to collect you from home. Speak to your local RSL for more information.
Other
Australia Post
Australia Post offers a 40% discount on postage stamps, discounts on redirecting mail and free document certification for eligible concession card holders..
You can apply if you hold any of the following Australian Federal Government concession cards:
Telstra
Telstra offers a number of concessions to Pensioner Concession Card holders, including a discount on new telephone service connection fee and a reduction in your home line plan costs. For more information, contact Telstra at 1800 676 442 or visit their website.
This guide details the benefits of Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders in Queensland (QLD). With the card, you can get cheaper medicine, bulk-billed doctor visits, and help with hearing services.
If you want to know more about what a PCC is and how to avail it, click here!
Read on to determine what concessions you're entitled to with your PCC!
In Queensland, you can check your eligibility for various concessions here.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Utilities
Electricity and gas
The electricity rebate is worth $372.20 per year, and holders of a Queensland seniors card, pensioner concession card, Low-Income Health Care Card and Veterans’ Gold Card are eligible.
Many cardholders are also eligible for the reticulated natural gas rebate of $80.77.
Check the full list of criteria and eligible cardholders to be sure.
The process is different depending on your energy setup. For the gas rebate, you’ll need to contact your provider and give them some information about your bills and concession details. For electricity, it depends on whether you hold the account directly or if you live in an apartment, residential park or another kind of dwelling and someone else sends your bill to you. Check the details on the Queensland government website.
For contact details of energy providers, check the listings on the Queensland energy and water ombudsman’s website.
Water
Eligible Pensioner Concession Card and Veteran Gold Card holders may be eligible for a subsidy of up to $120 each year off the cost of water access and usage charges. For more information, contact your water retailer.
Rates
Pensioner Concession card holders and Veteran Gold Card holders may be eligible to receive a subsidy of 20% (up to a maximum of $200 each year) of the gross rates and charges levied by your local council. For more information, contact your local council.
Motor vehicle registration
You may be eligible for a reduction on your vehicle or boat registration fee if you are:
- a Queensland resident
- a Queensland-issued Seniors Card holder (not available to holders of a Seniors Business Discount Card)
- a Pensioner Concession Card holder
- a prescribed services person (current or former member of the Australian Defence Force) and you have been assessed under the
- Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 as having at least a 70% degree of incapacity
or - Military Rehabilitation Compensation Act 2004 as having at least 50 impairment points.
- Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 as having at least a 70% degree of incapacity
- motorcycles
- motor vehicle not over 4.5t GVM
- motorised caravan (no GVM limit)
- recreational boat.
See a table comparison guide of registration fees for concession card holders.
How to apply
Complete the registration concession application (F3937) and show or provide a copy of one of the following:- your Queensland Seniors Card
- your Pensioner Concession Card
- your Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Veteran Gold Card embossed with TPI or EDA—if your Veteran Gold Card is not embossed or you have a Veteran White Card, your Veteran Gold or White Card will need to be accompanied with a letter from DVA confirming your level of incapacitation or impairment.
Email
Email the completed registration concession application (F3937) with a copy of the front and back of the concession card or supporting letter to [email protected].Post
Send the completed registration concession application (F3937) with a copy of the front and back of the concession card or supporting letter to:Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 2211
BRISBANE QLD 4001
In-person
Complete the registration concession application (F3937) and take it with your concession document to your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre or, if you live in a rural area, a QGAP office, Magistrates Court or local police station that provides vehicle or boat registration services—please call to confirm before visiting.If you hold a Seniors Card or you're a prescribed services person, you only have to show your concession document once.
If you have a Pensioner Concession Card you must show it every time you apply for concessional registration.
If you are presenting a digital copy of your Pensioner Concession Card as an alternative to your physical concession card, you will need to log into the Australian Government Centrelink Express Plus mobile app on your smart device and show your current card within the digital wallet.
Find more information about the Australian Government Centrelink Express Plus mobile app.
If you apply for a concession for a vehicle that is already part way through a registration period, the concession will take effect immediately, and you may be given a refund for the difference between the full registration amount and the concession amount for the remaining time in the registration period.
Concessions can only be applied to the current registration period and cannot be backdated to prior periods.
If you apply for a concession for a boat that is already part way through a registration period, the concession will take effect from the next registration period. Concessions for boats cannot be backdated to prior registration periods.
Transport
A Seniors Card+go is the easiest way to pay for public transport in South-East Queensland. It combines the discount of a Seniors Card with the convenience of the TransLink go card into one card.
Apply for a Seniors Card+go.
A concession fare is 50% cheaper than an adult fare, and some concession card holders are eligible for free travel on Translink, qconnect and regional ferry services.
The following groups can travel on a 50% concession fare (please check for eligibility and conditions of travel):
- Pensioners and veterans (using a current Pensioner Concession Card from any Australian state or territory)
- Seniors (using a valid Seniors Card from any state or territory)
If you have one of the following cards, you will receive free travel: (please check for eligibility and conditions of travel)
- TPI/EDA Veteran Travel card
- Vision Impairment Travel Pass
- Translink Access Pass
- go access Travel Trainer card
To travel on a concession fare
The Seniors Card +go is a single, convenient card for Queensland residents with a Seniors Card on one side and Translink senior go card on the other side.Seniors Card +go is FREE, so you won't pay the usual $5 refundable deposit.
To apply:
- visit the Seniors Card website
- call 13 74 68.
- When you receive your Seniors card + go, you must visit a go card retailer and add a minimum of $5 credit to your card before you can travel.
Buy a Seniors go card
Visit your local go card retailer or Queensland Rail station ticket office with your Seniors Card, buy online or call us on 13 12 30.You must pay a $5 refundable deposit and add a minimum of $5 credit to your card before you can travel.
Paper concession tickets can be bought:
- from a ticket office at train stations during opening hours
- from a fare machine at a major interchange, busway, train or tram stations
- onboard buses (currently regional areas only)
Queensland Rail
Concession Card holders are entitled to four (4) Queensland rail entitlements each calendar year. To use your entitlements, you must have a valid Concession Card at the time of ticketing.
The following Concession Card holders are eligible for four (4) rail entitlements each calendar year to travel on long-distance services across Queensland.
- Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) issued by Services Australia or the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA)
- Australian Government DVA Health Card endorsed as WAR WIDOW/WIDOWER (Queensland residents only)
- Spouse/partner of a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) or Extreme Disability Adjustment (EDA) Veteran travel pass holder with a confirmation letter stating they are a Queensland resident.
On presentation of a current Australian state or territory Government Seniors Card, customers will receive a discount of up to 50% off the full adult rail fare on Queensland Rail Travel network services. Meals and upgrades to sleeping berths are additional costs.
On presentation of a current Seniors Business Discount Card, customers will receive a discount of up to 15% off the full adult rail fare on Queensland Rail Travel network services. Meals and upgrades to sleeping berths are additional costs.
For Veterans
Veterans possessing a TPI or TPI/EDA Veterans Travel Pass are entitled to one return journey on Queensland Rail Travel long-distance rail services each fortnight.
The travel entitlement covers Business, Premium Economy and Economy Seats.
If the cardholder exceeds their entitlement for the fortnight, they are entitled to half-fare travel as often as they wish.
Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Lift Payment
The Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) subsidises taxi travel—half of the total fare, up to a maximum of $30 per trip—for people with severe disabilities.
You can find more information on eligibility and how to apply here.
The Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS)
PTSS provides financial assistance for eligible patients to access specialist medical services not available locally.
If you live in Queensland and have been referred by a clinician to a specialist medical service that is unavailable at your local public hospital, you may be eligible for a subsidy.
You can register your interest here.
Courtesy Bus
Many RSLs offer a free courtesy bus to collect you from home. Speak to your local RSL for more information.
Other
Australia Post
Australia Post offers a 40% discount on postage stamps, discounts on redirecting mail and free document certification for eligible concession card holders..
You can apply if you hold any of the following Australian Federal Government concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Department of Veterans' Affairs Card
- Veterans' Repatriation Health Card
Telstra
Telstra offers a number of concessions to Pensioner Concession Card holders, including a discount on new telephone service connection fee and a reduction in your home line plan costs. For more information, contact Telstra at 1800 676 442 or visit their website.
