As Australians near retirement age, many may be wondering what benefits they are entitled to as an Australian senior. One of the most popular perks available are the state-issued Seniors Cards, which provide discounts and concessions on a range of goods and services. Each state and territory in Australia has its own version of the card, with varying benefits and eligibility criteria. In this article, we will explore the benefits of having a Seniors Card in each Australian state and territory, so that you can take advantage of the discounts and concessions available to you as a senior.

Australian Capital Territory​

Transport deals
COTA ACT manages Seniors Cards in the ACT, which are combined with Transport Canberra MyWay cards - one card allows for public transport access and a range of Seniors Card discounts and services.

With this MyWay card, concession fares apply at all times, with a weekday cap of $4.80. Off-peak fares between the hours of 9 AM and 4.30 PM, weekends, and public holidays are free.

Vehicle registration discount
Holders of the ACT Seniors Cards are entitled to a 10% discount on registration.

To claim a Seniors Cardholder concession on your vehicle's registration, you can contact Access Canberra on 132 281. You will be required to confirm your details and provide your ACT Seniors Card number. You must present a current and valid ACT Seniors Card and primary proof of identity to an Access Canberra Service Centre or Shopfront. The concession can only be provided to the cardholder. A concession can only be applied to one light vehicle registration in the cardholder's name.

This means that you pay 10% less on the cost of the registration component but must pay the full fee for compulsory third-party insurance, road rescue fee, road safety contribution, and short-term registration surcharge, if applicable.

Seniors with gas or electric-powered vehicles are entitled to a 28% discount on registration.



Where can I find out about available discounts?

In addition to the discounts we list in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide, which can be found here, hundreds of businesses have also signed up for the program. Click here to see what you can save and where after you’ve checked out the discounts below. You’ll need to select the category you’re interested in and type in your postcode or the postcode you’re heading to, to view all available discounts.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.

New South Wales​

Benefits

Seniors Card and Senior Savers cardholders get:

• Discounts and deals at over 7,000 businesses state-wide.
• Reciprocal rights in other states – just show your card and ask whether they offer a discount.
• Access to exclusive offers, competitions, and more.
• Monthly email updates from the Seniors Card e-newsletter.

Seniors Card holders also get:

• A Gold Opal Card - Holders are entitled to transport concessions in NSW and some other states.

Transport discounts with a Gold Opal Card

Gold Opal cards allow holders to travel on the metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail within the Opal network as much as they like and will never pay more than $2.50 each day.

Private ferry trips may be more expensive due to the individual operators setting fares and ticket terms.



Where can I find out about available discounts?

Thousands of businesses have signed up to offer discounts and we’ve compiled them in one handy place for you in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide.

You can also click here to see what you can save and where. You’ll need to type in your postcode and click ‘Search’. You’ll also have the option to filter according to the category you’re interested in.

If you’d like to view all available discounts in your region, just type in the postcode or suburb name you’re after. Then all the discounts available in that suburb will appear.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.

Northern Territory​

Benefits

• Discounts at over 300 participating businesses
• Free bus travel on public buses in Darwin and Alice Springs
  • Simply show the driver your NT Seniors Card before stating your destination to get free travel.
• $55 annual concession on private vehicle registration
• Special offers
• Reciprocal rights in other states and New Zealand just show your card and ask.

Where can I find out about available discounts?

We’ve compiled them in one handy place for you with our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide.

You can also click here to visit the NT discounts directory. You’ll need to enter the postcode or name of the suburb you’re looking for discounts in. You can also look at specific categories if you do not want to look at all the discounts available in the one area at once.

Queensland​

There are three types of Seniors Cards available in Queensland. The standard Seniors Card, Seniors Card+go, and a Seniors Business Discount Card.

Seniors Card​

This card offers the following benefits:

• Eligibility for certain Queensland government concessions
• Discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland.
• Access to the free Senior Shopper service.

The Senior Shopper service is a free phone-shopping service that helps you get the best deal on electrical goods, travel, motor vehicles, computers, mowers, power tools, furniture, white goods, lawn bowls gear, fishing tackle, pools, cameras and more.

Seniors Card +go​

This card is for seniors who use or plan to use public transport in South East Queensland. It offers the same concessions and discounts as above, but also functions as a go card on Translink services:

You won't have to pay the usual $5 deposit on the Seniors Card+go, and you will receive concession rates on trips using the TransLink services. A daily cap for Seniors is also in place: when you pay for two journeys in one day, you travel free for the rest of the day.

Seniors Business Discount Card​

If you're not eligible for the Queensland Seniors Card or Seniors Card +go, you may still qualify for the Seniors Business Discount Card, which offers:

• Discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
• Access to the free Senior Shopper service

Where can I find out about available discounts?

In addition to the discounts we list in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide, which can be found here, hundreds of businesses have signed up to offer discounts.

Click here to see what you can save and where. You’ll need to type in your postcode or the name of your suburb to find discounts relevant to the area you’re interested in. You can also view the discounts by category if you’d prefer.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.

If you hold a Queensland Seniors Card or Seniors Card +go, you may also be eligible to access Queensland Government concessions.

Some of these include:

• Concessions that can reduce the cost of registering a vehicle or boat in Queensland for eligible applicants.
• Discount on a Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS). There are 63 impoundments (dams and weirs) in Queensland that require a SIPS permit to fish with a line. With a Seniors Card, you will pay $36 per year as opposed to $50.
• Discount on Queensland rail travel to improve the affordability of long-distance and urban rail services. 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.

South Australia​

The South Australian Seniors Card offers the following benefits:

1. Discounts at hundreds of private businesses.
2. Special limited-time offers.
3. Fortnightly digital newsletter
4. Seniors Card SA Facebook community
5. A Lifestyle Guide directory containing all the business discounts available to cardholders.

• Either download it here.
• Check out our directory which you can use on your desktop, tablet or phone any time here.
• Pick up a printed copy from The Catalyst Foundation, COTA SA, community centre, local MP’s office, public libraries and local councils.
• Or request a copy to be posted to you on 1800 819 961 or email [email protected]

1. Free travel on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams

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Transport discounts with the Seniors Metrocard​

Your SA Seniors Card also entitles you to:

• Free Adelaide Metro public transport during off-peak periods Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays.
• Approximately 50% discount on Adelaide Metro public transport services at other times (7.00 am to 9.00 am and 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm Monday to Friday).

You'll need to validate your Seniors Card every time you board an Adelaide Metro bus, train or tram, even if it's in the free travel period.

If you plan to travel outside the free periods, you will need to top up your metroCARD with at least $5.



Where can I find out about available discounts?

In addition to the discounts we list in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide, which can be found here, hundreds of businesses have signed up to offer discounts.

Click here to see what you can save and where. All you have to do is type in the postcode or the name of the suburb you’re wanting to see discounts for and click ‘Search’.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.

Tasmania ​

What is the Seniors Card programme?

The Tasmanian Seniors Card is a lifestyle card that enables holders to receive discounts from over 640 businesses and government services ranging from transport, electrical, and health care to accommodation, building supplies, clothing, dining, and much more. The Seniors Card is represented by a logo that is unique to the Seniors Card Program and used by all states and territories.

Transport deals​

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. Please note, if you are travelling to New South Wales, you will need to apply for an Opal Card before arriving.

Where can I find out about available discounts?

In addition to the discounts we list in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide, which can be found here, hundreds of businesses have signed up to offer discounts.

Click here to see what you can save and where. You can search by category or by searching via postcode or the name of the suburb.

Printed directories are also available from Services Tasmania Service Centre, Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Visitor Information Centres, and some local MP’s offices.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.



What government benefits are available with a Tasmania Seniors Card?

1. Concession rate ($2.40 cash and $1.92 Greencard) on Metro buses. The Greencard also has a daily cap.
2. Concession fares on MerseyLink urban buses, non-urban routes, and ferries
3. 20% discount on Inland Recreational Angling Licence and Recreational Game Licence
4. 50% discount on Recreational Sea Fishing Licence
5. 50% discount on Annual and Two-Year Seniors All Parks Pass for National Parks
   1. Discounted entry and fees for Port Arthur Historic Site, Overland Track, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hastings Experience, Mole Creek Caves and Highfield Historic Site, Cascades Female Factory Historic Site and Three Capes Track
6. Free Will and EPOA preparation if Public Trustee appointed executor
7. Fee concessions for adult education courses

Victoria​

There are two cards available to seniors in VIC, the Seniors Card and the Seniors Business Discount Card.

Benefits

Holders of both cards get:

• Discounts and deals at over 7,000 businesses state-wide.
• Reciprocal rights in other states - show your card and ask whether they offer a discount.
• Access to the Seniors Card e-newsletter

In addition, Seniors Card holders get:

• Exemption from needing a Fishing Licence to fish in Victorian waters.
• Access to discounted public transport with a Seniors Myki card.

A Seniors Myki card gives you access to:

• Concession fares (a 50% discount on full fares) on trains, trams and buses, including V/Line trains and coaches. Free travel on Saturdays and Sundays in two consecutive zones (e.g. Zone 1 and 2) and on regional town buses.
• Free travel on all Victorian public transport during the Victorians Seniors Festival. Including Melbourne trains, trams and buses and regional trains, coaches and buses. Tap on and off as usual during this time, but you won't be charged for the trips!

Seniors Card holders are also entitled to free travel vouchers each year. You will need to register to receive the free travel vouchers.

Click here to check if you're eligible for free travel vouchers and where you can use them.

Where can I find out about the discounts available?

In addition to the discounts we list in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide, which can be found here, hundreds of businesses have signed up to offer you discounts. Click here to see what you can save and where. You’ll be able to use various filters, like your postcode, your suburb name, or your preferred discount category, to find discounts relevant to you.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.

Western Australia ​

The WA Seniors Card offers the following benefits:

• Discounts at over 700 participating businesses
• Monthly competitions
• Transport Concessions

Transport concessions for Seniors Card holders:

• Fare discounts of up to 60% on standard fares for Transperth bus, train and ferry services, including those operating in regional towns.
• The Transperth SmartRider provides free travel on weekdays (from 9am to 3:30pm and from 7pm until last service), all day weekends and public holidays. Concession prices are available at other times.
• 50% discount on regional point-to-point travel with SmartRider (also available for interstate Seniors Card holders).
• Up to 50% discount on Transwa standard regional fares.

Where can I find out about available discounts?

In addition to the discounts we list in our Ultimate Seniors Card Discount Guide, which can be found here, hundreds of businesses have signed up to offer discounts. Click here to see what you can save and where. You’ll need to search by postcode, suburb name or by the category you’re interested in to see all the relevant discounts.

Also, look out for the 'Seniors Card Welcome Here' logo or ask for Seniors Card discounts when you're out and about.

What other government concession am I eligible for?

You may be eligible for other concessions and rebates, check here for all eligibility details and how to apply.

1. Cost of living rebate (2019 - $89.71 singles and $134.52 couples)
2. Up to 25% rebate on local government rates ($100 cap) and 50% ($750 cap) if you hold a WA Seniors Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
3. 50% discount on driver’s licence renewal fee (100% if also hold CSHC).
4. 50% discount on WA photo card fee
5. 50% discount on Recreational Fishing Licence
6. Up to $54.34 off a pair of spectacles every two years

What now?​

Having a Seniors Card can provide a range of benefits and discounts to Australian seniors, depending on where you live. From discounts on public transport to cheaper movie tickets and reduced healthcare costs, there are many ways in which the Seniors Card can help you save money and improve your quality of life. We hope that this article has provided you with a useful overview of the benefits available in each state and territory and that you are now better equipped to make the most of your Seniors Card.

Don’t have a Seniors Card yet? Don't hesitate to apply for your card today, and start enjoying the discounts and concessions available to you.

You can find more useful information below:

What are the eligibility requirements for a Seniors Card?
How to apply for a Seniors Card.

Did we miss something? If you know of a seniors discount that you can’t find in our eBook or on our discount directory let us know in the comments below!