Concessions for Pensioners: Tasmania (TAS)
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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 Tasmania (TAS). 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!
Utilities
Annual electricity concession
The Tasmanian government’s annual electricity concession gives eligible residents a discount calculated on a cents-per-day rate, which is 157.460 cents per day at the time of writing. Holders of a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), a Low-Income Health Care Card, an ImmiCard on bridging visa E or a card that is deemed a Concession Card by the Tasmanian government are eligible for the discount on their primary place of residence.
To apply, you will need to fill out a form provided by the Tasmanian government and send that form to your electricity provider, who will assess your application.
Heating allowance
The Heating Allowance is a payment of $56 per year to eligible pensioners living in Tasmania. Two payments of $28 are made each year on 15 May and 15 September. Payments are made under the Pensioners (Heating Allowances) Act 1971.
Eligibility means tested and successful applicants do not need to reapply each year.
The allowance is available to people who hold a Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card and receive any of the following:
*Other conditions also apply.
Apply online or by requesting a form by email or phone.
For more information:
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Phone: 1800 300 068
Email: [email protected]
Medical cooling or heating concession
The medical cooling or heating concession is a daily discount to eligible customers who have, or who live with a person who has, a medical condition that requires the cooling or heating of their main home to manage that medical condition.
The current concession is 47.163 cents per day (Please note: This figure could change, please check page 22 of the linked PDF for more information).
To apply, complete the application form and have it certified by your medical practitioner, then submit it to your electricity retailer. As well as meeting the medical requirements, you must also have a Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card, or a Health Care Card.
For more information: Contact your electricity retailer.
Water and sewerage concession
Eligible TasWater customers can receive a Tasmanian Government funded discount of up to $211.50 ($105.75 for water charges and $105.75 for sewerage charges) for the financial year.
To be eligible for the concession, individuals must be legally responsible for the TasWater account, and occupy the property as their main home.
Eligible concessions are:
For more information: TasWater
Phone: 136 992
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.taswater.com.au/Accounts and Billing/Apply for Concessions or Rebates
Rates
A 30% reduction on local government rates and charges (capped at a maximum amount each year) is available to a pensioner who, on 1 July each year, holds one of the following:
Motor vehicle registration
The discounts listed below are based on a 12-month payment period.
Discounts on vehicle registration fees are available for:
40% motor tax rebate
The 40% rebate on motor tax (which is included in motor vehicle registration) is available for: goods-carrying vehicles (such as utes and vans), not used for any trade or business purposes, with a gross vehicle mass not over 4.5 tonnes.
The rebate is available to people who hold one of the following:
100% rebate
A 100% exemption from duty on vehicle registration applications and transfers is available to people who:
hold a DVA Veteran Card embossed with TPI, or
are members of the Transport Access Scheme (for people with a severe disability).
Note: This concession only applies to one vehicle registered in the eligible person's name. The gross vehicle mass must not be over 4.5 tonnes.
If you currently own a vehicle that receives a motor tax (100% exemption) and are looking to purchase a new vehicle, you will need to dispose of your existing vehicle or transfer it from the concession holder’s name before the purchase of the new vehicle.
For more information: Department of State Growth
Phone: 1300 135 513
Email: [email protected]
Motor vehicle registration compulsory third party insurance (MAIB)
A concession of $56 on MAIB third party insurance premiums is available for: motor vehicles (other than motorcycles) not over 4.5 tonnes (applies to one vehicle registered in the name of the eligible person).
The concession is available to people who hold one of the following:
Note: The discount listed above is based on a 12-month payment period.
Public transport
The National Seniors Transport Scheme provides Seniors Card holders with concessions on public transport throughout Australia.
Tasmanian Seniors Card holders enjoy significant discounts and benefits on transport and travel, including:
Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) and Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) pensioners are entitled to free travel on public bus services.
You must present your DVA Veteran Gold Card embossed with TPI or EDA. To travel on Metro bus services for free, you will need to apply for and use a Greencard.
Transport access scheme
A 50% concession on the cost of taxi travel is available to people:
A 60% concession on the cost of travel in a wheelchair-accessible taxi is available to people:
To apply for a Taxi Smartcard or an Australian Disability Parking Permit, you will need to download and submit the appropriate form.
If you do not have a Disability Parking Permit, download and complete the Transport Access Scheme application form.
If you already have a Disability Parking Permit, or if you have a Taxi Smartcard which needs to be updated for wheelchair taxi access, please use the Transport Access Scheme supplement application form.
Applications take approximately three weeks.
Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line)
Discounted passenger fares are available to Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card holders. Card holders must provide their pension card number when they book. The card must still be current at the date of travel and presented at check-in. Please note the discounted passenger fares are applicable to selected passenger fares and are subject to availability.
Check the website for further terms, conditions and availability or call the Customer Contact Centre on 1800 884 305 for further assistance.
You can read further information about Pensioner Eligibility here.
Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
Travelling for specialised health services can be costly for Tasmanians who live a long way from the health care services they need. The Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) can help.
PTAS covers some of the travel and accommodation costs for Tasmanians who need to travel long distances for specialised care.
PTAS provides financial help in three ways:
If you are a concession card holder or the child of a concession card holder (i.e. your own child), you and your child will only have to pay the gap between the subsidy and the actual cost of travel.
Eligible concession cards are:
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 fees and a reduction in your home line plan costs. For more information, contact Telstra at 1800 676 442 or visit their website.
Visual Aids
PCC holders are eligible for subsidies of 70% on scheduled items, such as lenses, basic frames and extras, low vision aids, non-cosmetic contact lenses, prostheses and intraocular implants. Conditions apply, and there is a dollar limit per item.
For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Community Equipment Scheme (CES)
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders may be eligible for this scheme, which provides equipment to help people with disabilities live independently and safely in the community. You must have a long-term or indefinite-duration disability or require equipment as part of discharge from a hospital or residential care. You will not be eligible if you receive equipment from other government-funded programs or have received compensation for the injury. For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Orthotics/prosthetics
A reduced contribution charge for orthotic and prosthetic services is provided to eligible PCC holders whose costs are not met by other organisations, such as the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB), Worker's Compensation or the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Clients are charged for more advanced and specialised technology. For more information, please contact the Department of Health at 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Department of Health
Phone:
Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (South): 6166 7377
Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (North): 6777 8562
Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (North-West): 6493 6272
Email: [email protected]
Lymphoedema
PCC holders may be eligible for financial aid if they need compression garments to help manage lymphoedema. For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Department of Health
Phone:
Royal Hobart Hospital, Physiotherapy: 6166 8634
Royal Hobart Hospital, Occupational Therapy: 6166 8314
Launceston General Hospital, Physiotherapy: 6777 6216
North-West Regional Hospital, Physiotherapy: 6493 6250
Email:
(South) [email protected]
(North) [email protected]
(North-West) [email protected]
Wigs
PCC holders may be eligible for financial aid to buy wigs for cancer and alopecia patients. Holders of a DVA Veteran Gold or White card should contact DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) to check their eligibility for the provision of a wig. For more information, consult your medical specialist, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Enteral feeds and supplements
PCC holders with serious medical conditions affecting their ability to meet nutritional requirements with normal food and drink may be eligible for tube feeds and oral nutrition supplements at a subsidised cost. The subsidised supplements are only available if you are not eligible for financial aid from any other government-funded program, including the DVA. For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Continuous Positive Airways Pressure Program
PCC holders may be eligible for financial aid for people clinically assessed as having a sleep-related breathing disorder requiring a continuous positive airways pressure machine. For more information, consult your medical specialist or contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
This guide details the benefits of Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders in Tasmania (TAS). 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!
Image Credit: Flickr
Utilities
Annual electricity concession
The Tasmanian government’s annual electricity concession gives eligible residents a discount calculated on a cents-per-day rate, which is 157.460 cents per day at the time of writing. Holders of a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), a Low-Income Health Care Card, an ImmiCard on bridging visa E or a card that is deemed a Concession Card by the Tasmanian government are eligible for the discount on their primary place of residence.
To apply, you will need to fill out a form provided by the Tasmanian government and send that form to your electricity provider, who will assess your application.
Heating allowance
The Heating Allowance is a payment of $56 per year to eligible pensioners living in Tasmania. Two payments of $28 are made each year on 15 May and 15 September. Payments are made under the Pensioners (Heating Allowances) Act 1971.
Eligibility means tested and successful applicants do not need to reapply each year.
The allowance is available to people who hold a Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card and receive any of the following:
- Age Pension
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension (DSP)
- Parenting Payment
- Service Pension.
*Other conditions also apply.
Apply online or by requesting a form by email or phone.
For more information:
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Phone: 1800 300 068
Email: [email protected]
Medical cooling or heating concession
The medical cooling or heating concession is a daily discount to eligible customers who have, or who live with a person who has, a medical condition that requires the cooling or heating of their main home to manage that medical condition.
The current concession is 47.163 cents per day (Please note: This figure could change, please check page 22 of the linked PDF for more information).
To apply, complete the application form and have it certified by your medical practitioner, then submit it to your electricity retailer. As well as meeting the medical requirements, you must also have a Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card, or a Health Care Card.
For more information: Contact your electricity retailer.
Water and sewerage concession
Eligible TasWater customers can receive a Tasmanian Government funded discount of up to $211.50 ($105.75 for water charges and $105.75 for sewerage charges) for the financial year.
To be eligible for the concession, individuals must be legally responsible for the TasWater account, and occupy the property as their main home.
Eligible concessions are:
- Health Care Card, or
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card, or
- DVA Veteran Gold Card holders.
For more information: TasWater
Phone: 136 992
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.taswater.com.au/Accounts and Billing/Apply for Concessions or Rebates
Rates
A 30% reduction on local government rates and charges (capped at a maximum amount each year) is available to a pensioner who, on 1 July each year, holds one of the following:
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card (but not a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card)
- DVA Veteran Gold Card – inscribed with TPI or ‘War Widow’ whose Veteran Gold Card and entitlements are issued under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004
- resides at the property as their principal place of residence, and
- is legally responsible to the council for the rates of the property.
Motor vehicle registration
The discounts listed below are based on a 12-month payment period.
Discounts on vehicle registration fees are available for:
- motor vehicles (other than motorcycles) not over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass ($55.37)
- trailers (including caravans) ($27.97)
- motorcycles ($50.07).
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- DVA Veteran Gold or White Card
- members of the Transport Access Scheme (for people with a severe disability)
- eligible asylum seekers.
40% motor tax rebate
The 40% rebate on motor tax (which is included in motor vehicle registration) is available for: goods-carrying vehicles (such as utes and vans), not used for any trade or business purposes, with a gross vehicle mass not over 4.5 tonnes.
The rebate is available to people who hold one of the following:
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- DVA Veteran Gold or White Card and
- eligible asylum seekers.
100% rebate
A 100% exemption from duty on vehicle registration applications and transfers is available to people who:
hold a DVA Veteran Card embossed with TPI, or
are members of the Transport Access Scheme (for people with a severe disability).
Note: This concession only applies to one vehicle registered in the eligible person's name. The gross vehicle mass must not be over 4.5 tonnes.
If you currently own a vehicle that receives a motor tax (100% exemption) and are looking to purchase a new vehicle, you will need to dispose of your existing vehicle or transfer it from the concession holder’s name before the purchase of the new vehicle.
For more information: Department of State Growth
Phone: 1300 135 513
Email: [email protected]
Motor vehicle registration compulsory third party insurance (MAIB)
A concession of $56 on MAIB third party insurance premiums is available for: motor vehicles (other than motorcycles) not over 4.5 tonnes (applies to one vehicle registered in the name of the eligible person).
The concession is available to people who hold one of the following:
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- DVA Veteran Gold or White Card
- members of the Transport Access Scheme (for people with severe disability)
- eligible asylum seekers.
Note: The discount listed above is based on a 12-month payment period.
Public transport
The National Seniors Transport Scheme provides Seniors Card holders with concessions on public transport throughout Australia.
Tasmanian Seniors Card holders enjoy significant discounts and benefits on transport and travel, including:
- Concession prices when using the Metro and Merseylink public transport services.
- Concession rate travel on metropolitan public transport in all states and territories.
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- Seniors Card - all States and Territories
- Evidence of Immigration Status (EDI) or
- Residence Determination Immicard (RDI)
- aged 70 years and over
- classified as a War Widow by DVA
- eligible adult students
Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) and Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) pensioners are entitled to free travel on public bus services.
You must present your DVA Veteran Gold Card embossed with TPI or EDA. To travel on Metro bus services for free, you will need to apply for and use a Greencard.
Transport access scheme
A 50% concession on the cost of taxi travel is available to people:
- With a permanent and severe disability who have been assessed as meeting eligibility criteria for membership of the Transport Access Scheme
- Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
A 60% concession on the cost of travel in a wheelchair-accessible taxi is available to people:
- With a permanent and severe disability who have been assessed as meeting eligibility criteria for membership of the Transport Access Scheme and who are totally wheelchair reliant.
To apply for a Taxi Smartcard or an Australian Disability Parking Permit, you will need to download and submit the appropriate form.
If you do not have a Disability Parking Permit, download and complete the Transport Access Scheme application form.
If you already have a Disability Parking Permit, or if you have a Taxi Smartcard which needs to be updated for wheelchair taxi access, please use the Transport Access Scheme supplement application form.
Applications take approximately three weeks.
Spirit of Tasmania (TT-Line)
Discounted passenger fares are available to Services Australia or DVA Pensioner Concession Card holders. Card holders must provide their pension card number when they book. The card must still be current at the date of travel and presented at check-in. Please note the discounted passenger fares are applicable to selected passenger fares and are subject to availability.
Check the website for further terms, conditions and availability or call the Customer Contact Centre on 1800 884 305 for further assistance.
You can read further information about Pensioner Eligibility here.
Patient Travel Assistance Scheme
Travelling for specialised health services can be costly for Tasmanians who live a long way from the health care services they need. The Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS) can help.
PTAS covers some of the travel and accommodation costs for Tasmanians who need to travel long distances for specialised care.
PTAS provides financial help in three ways:
- Travel assistance
- Accommodation assistance
- Assistance if you need someone to travel with you.
- are a Tasmanian resident
- are receiving an eligible clinical service from an approved clinical provider
- need to travel a distance of
- more than 75 km (one way) to the nearest specialised health service or
- more than 50 km (one way) to the nearest cancer or dialysis centre, and
- are not receiving financial help for travel costs from another organisation.
If you are a concession card holder or the child of a concession card holder (i.e. your own child), you and your child will only have to pay the gap between the subsidy and the actual cost of travel.
Eligible concession cards are:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Card
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
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 fees and a reduction in your home line plan costs. For more information, contact Telstra at 1800 676 442 or visit their website.
Visual Aids
PCC holders are eligible for subsidies of 70% on scheduled items, such as lenses, basic frames and extras, low vision aids, non-cosmetic contact lenses, prostheses and intraocular implants. Conditions apply, and there is a dollar limit per item.
For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Community Equipment Scheme (CES)
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders may be eligible for this scheme, which provides equipment to help people with disabilities live independently and safely in the community. You must have a long-term or indefinite-duration disability or require equipment as part of discharge from a hospital or residential care. You will not be eligible if you receive equipment from other government-funded programs or have received compensation for the injury. For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Orthotics/prosthetics
A reduced contribution charge for orthotic and prosthetic services is provided to eligible PCC holders whose costs are not met by other organisations, such as the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB), Worker's Compensation or the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Clients are charged for more advanced and specialised technology. For more information, please contact the Department of Health at 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Department of Health
Phone:
Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (South): 6166 7377
Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (North): 6777 8562
Orthotic Prosthetic Services Tasmania (North-West): 6493 6272
Email: [email protected]
Lymphoedema
PCC holders may be eligible for financial aid if they need compression garments to help manage lymphoedema. For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Department of Health
Phone:
Royal Hobart Hospital, Physiotherapy: 6166 8634
Royal Hobart Hospital, Occupational Therapy: 6166 8314
Launceston General Hospital, Physiotherapy: 6777 6216
North-West Regional Hospital, Physiotherapy: 6493 6250
Email:
(South) [email protected]
(North) [email protected]
(North-West) [email protected]
Wigs
PCC holders may be eligible for financial aid to buy wigs for cancer and alopecia patients. Holders of a DVA Veteran Gold or White card should contact DVA on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) to check their eligibility for the provision of a wig. For more information, consult your medical specialist, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Enteral feeds and supplements
PCC holders with serious medical conditions affecting their ability to meet nutritional requirements with normal food and drink may be eligible for tube feeds and oral nutrition supplements at a subsidised cost. The subsidised supplements are only available if you are not eligible for financial aid from any other government-funded program, including the DVA. For more information, contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
Continuous Positive Airways Pressure Program
PCC holders may be eligible for financial aid for people clinically assessed as having a sleep-related breathing disorder requiring a continuous positive airways pressure machine. For more information, consult your medical specialist or contact the Department of Health on 1300 135 513 or visit the Tasmanian Department of Health website or the TAS Concessions website here.
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