Still feel like you’re missing out on discounts everyone else seems to know about? This might be why
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With the cost of living climbing and every dollar needing to stretch a little further, even small savings can make a real difference.
What many older Australians don’t realise is that there could be money, perks or discounts hiding in plain sight—just waiting to be claimed.
From overlooked entitlements to under-the-radar offers, the opportunities to boost your budget might be closer than you think.
With prices climbing higher and bills arriving faster than ever, most older Australians were searching for ways to make their money go further.
But what many didn’t realise was that some of the best savings didn’t come from cutting back—they came from cash and perks hiding in plain sight.
From forgotten superannuation to surprise bank account bonuses, here’s how a bit of digging could have uncovered serious value...without changing your day-to-day spending.
The $17 Billion Hidden in Forgotten Super
One of the most overlooked sources of money was superannuation that had slipped off people’s radar.
According to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), there were more than seven million forgotten or unclaimed super accounts across the country, holding over $17 billion in funds. What made this worse was that fees and charges continued to chip away at this money, until it eventually ended up in the ATO’s hands—waiting to be claimed.
Finding lost super wasn’t as complicated as many thought. Those who linked their MyGov account to the ATO could see a full list of their super accounts, including any that had been forgotten. With a few clicks, they could consolidate their funds into one super account of their choice, making it easier to manage and reducing multiple sets of fees.
Lost Shares, Dormant Bank Accounts and Insurance Windfalls
But super wasn’t the only financial ghost lurking around.
Some Australians had money tied up in old share dividends, unused bank accounts and life insurance policies they didn’t even remember. A quick search using MoneySmart’s ‘Find Unclaimed Money’ tool—by simply entering your name—could have reconnected you with your rightful funds.
In addition, state and territory governments were holding onto unclaimed money from various sources, including trust accounts and old refunds. Those who reached out to their state or territory’s revenue office could find out if anything was waiting for them.
State-Based Rebates That Often Went Unused
Many government support programs were left on the table—not because they weren’t useful, but because people simply didn’t know they existed.
Families with kids, for instance, could have claimed sports and creative vouchers in several states. These included:
Meanwhile, some Sydney drivers overlooked the toll rebate scheme. Those regularly spending between $60 and $400 per week on tolls could have been eligible for rebates of up to $340 a week.
Free Perks Hiding in Your Bank Account
It turned out your bank account may have been more generous than you thought.
Several major Australian banks offered bonuses to their customers, though they rarely shouted about them. For instance:
These were perks that added up over time—if you knew where to look.
Loyalty Programs Worth Joining
Loyalty programs were often dismissed as marketing fluff, but some quietly handed out real value.
Fast food chains, fashion retailers and even major department stores provided freebies to members. Signing up to a mailing list or loyalty program could get you:
There was a catch—you typically needed to stay subscribed to promotional emails. But for those who didn’t mind the occasional email clutter, the rewards were sweet.
Still, not all perks lasted forever. Qantas points, for example, expired after 18 months of inactivity. A quiet reminder to check those balances before they vanished.
Health Benefits Many Missed
Health support didn’t always come with fanfare, either. Some Australians missed out on Medicare rebates simply because they hadn’t added their bank details to their Medicare account.
With a linked account, they could have claimed rebates for GP and specialist appointments, medications, eye tests and preventative screenings.
Other health perks included:
Free Community Events and Local Perks
Local councils proved to be underrated hubs of activity and savings.
Residents who signed up to the ‘What’s On’ sections of council websites were the first to know about free events like:
They aren’t just fun—they saved money while connecting you to your neighbourhood.
Food Freebies Worth Knowing
In the weekly shop, even a few dollars saved here and there could add up. And yes, there were actual free chickens involved.
Coles’ ‘Hot Chicken Promise’ meant if you couldn’t find a hot chicken during the posted hours in the deli, they would give you a voucher to collect one later that week—for free.
Meanwhile, Woolworths’ ‘Teambunch’ program let members trial new products for free at home, including snacks, drinks, meats and more. In return, you simply gave your feedback on what you tried.
Apps like ‘Too Good To Go’ also offered discounted bags of surplus food from local cafes and stores. These ‘surprise bags’ were picked up during a set window, offering both savings and a chance to prevent food waste.
For many Australians, the trick wasn’t just about budgeting better—it was about spotting what had quietly been available to them all along.
Between unclaimed funds, loyalty perks, rebates and hidden bonuses, these small wins could have made a big difference over time. With a little curiosity and a few smart moves, the savings were there for the taking.
With so many hidden savings and perks waiting to be uncovered, what’s the best unexpected freebie or rebate you’ve ever scored? Let us know in the comments.
In a previous story, we uncovered a surprising Kmart perk that many pension card holders didn’t even know existed—proving that savings can turn up in the most unexpected places.
For seniors looking to make the most of every dollar, especially on everyday essentials, these kinds of little wins can quickly add up.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth a look.
Read more: Pension card holders, this Kmart perk is too good to miss!
What many older Australians don’t realise is that there could be money, perks or discounts hiding in plain sight—just waiting to be claimed.
From overlooked entitlements to under-the-radar offers, the opportunities to boost your budget might be closer than you think.
With prices climbing higher and bills arriving faster than ever, most older Australians were searching for ways to make their money go further.
But what many didn’t realise was that some of the best savings didn’t come from cutting back—they came from cash and perks hiding in plain sight.
From forgotten superannuation to surprise bank account bonuses, here’s how a bit of digging could have uncovered serious value...without changing your day-to-day spending.
Hidden perks every Aussie pensioner should know. Image source: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
The $17 Billion Hidden in Forgotten Super
One of the most overlooked sources of money was superannuation that had slipped off people’s radar.
According to the Australian Tax Office (ATO), there were more than seven million forgotten or unclaimed super accounts across the country, holding over $17 billion in funds. What made this worse was that fees and charges continued to chip away at this money, until it eventually ended up in the ATO’s hands—waiting to be claimed.
Finding lost super wasn’t as complicated as many thought. Those who linked their MyGov account to the ATO could see a full list of their super accounts, including any that had been forgotten. With a few clicks, they could consolidate their funds into one super account of their choice, making it easier to manage and reducing multiple sets of fees.
Lost Shares, Dormant Bank Accounts and Insurance Windfalls
But super wasn’t the only financial ghost lurking around.
Some Australians had money tied up in old share dividends, unused bank accounts and life insurance policies they didn’t even remember. A quick search using MoneySmart’s ‘Find Unclaimed Money’ tool—by simply entering your name—could have reconnected you with your rightful funds.
In addition, state and territory governments were holding onto unclaimed money from various sources, including trust accounts and old refunds. Those who reached out to their state or territory’s revenue office could find out if anything was waiting for them.
State-Based Rebates That Often Went Unused
Many government support programs were left on the table—not because they weren’t useful, but because people simply didn’t know they existed.
Families with kids, for instance, could have claimed sports and creative vouchers in several states. These included:
- Up to $200 in South Australia and Tasmania
- Up to $500 in Western Australia
- $50 twice a year for lower-income families in New South Wales
- Potential new voucher rounds in Queensland
Meanwhile, some Sydney drivers overlooked the toll rebate scheme. Those regularly spending between $60 and $400 per week on tolls could have been eligible for rebates of up to $340 a week.
Free Perks Hiding in Your Bank Account
It turned out your bank account may have been more generous than you thought.
Several major Australian banks offered bonuses to their customers, though they rarely shouted about them. For instance:
- ANZ had movie tickets from $12
- NAB offered tickets from $13.50
- ING ran a referral offer worth $100 for you and a friend if certain criteria were met
- Macquarie and CBA gave access to discounts at major retailers and on gift cards
These were perks that added up over time—if you knew where to look.
Loyalty Programs Worth Joining
Loyalty programs were often dismissed as marketing fluff, but some quietly handed out real value.
Fast food chains, fashion retailers and even major department stores provided freebies to members. Signing up to a mailing list or loyalty program could get you:
- A free burrito from Guzman y Gomez
- A $5 discount from Bonds
- A free Whopper from Hungry Jacks on your birthday
- A free drink from Boost Juice on your birthday or within two days of it
- A $10–$30 voucher from Myer, depending on your loyalty tier
There was a catch—you typically needed to stay subscribed to promotional emails. But for those who didn’t mind the occasional email clutter, the rewards were sweet.
Still, not all perks lasted forever. Qantas points, for example, expired after 18 months of inactivity. A quiet reminder to check those balances before they vanished.
Health Benefits Many Missed
Health support didn’t always come with fanfare, either. Some Australians missed out on Medicare rebates simply because they hadn’t added their bank details to their Medicare account.
With a linked account, they could have claimed rebates for GP and specialist appointments, medications, eye tests and preventative screenings.
Other health perks included:
- Free flu shots under the National Immunisation Program, available through GPs, pharmacies and community health centres for eligible groups
- Mental health treatment plans, which gave access to up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions per calendar year at reduced rates
- Private health insurance discounts, including cashback deals and gift cards—depending on your provider
Free Community Events and Local Perks
Local councils proved to be underrated hubs of activity and savings.
Residents who signed up to the ‘What’s On’ sections of council websites were the first to know about free events like:
- Movie nights
- Toddler playgroups
- Community workshops
- Buy/sell/swap events
- Open mic nights
They aren’t just fun—they saved money while connecting you to your neighbourhood.
Food Freebies Worth Knowing
In the weekly shop, even a few dollars saved here and there could add up. And yes, there were actual free chickens involved.
Coles’ ‘Hot Chicken Promise’ meant if you couldn’t find a hot chicken during the posted hours in the deli, they would give you a voucher to collect one later that week—for free.
Meanwhile, Woolworths’ ‘Teambunch’ program let members trial new products for free at home, including snacks, drinks, meats and more. In return, you simply gave your feedback on what you tried.
Apps like ‘Too Good To Go’ also offered discounted bags of surplus food from local cafes and stores. These ‘surprise bags’ were picked up during a set window, offering both savings and a chance to prevent food waste.
For many Australians, the trick wasn’t just about budgeting better—it was about spotting what had quietly been available to them all along.
Between unclaimed funds, loyalty perks, rebates and hidden bonuses, these small wins could have made a big difference over time. With a little curiosity and a few smart moves, the savings were there for the taking.
With so many hidden savings and perks waiting to be uncovered, what’s the best unexpected freebie or rebate you’ve ever scored? Let us know in the comments.
In a previous story, we uncovered a surprising Kmart perk that many pension card holders didn’t even know existed—proving that savings can turn up in the most unexpected places.
For seniors looking to make the most of every dollar, especially on everyday essentials, these kinds of little wins can quickly add up.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth a look.
Read more: Pension card holders, this Kmart perk is too good to miss!
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