Support for older Canberrans
Find out what support you can get to help with everyday costs when you are over 60 and in your own home.
Energy bills
Get $800 off your energy bills
If you have an eligible concession card, you can apply for the Utilities Concession to get $800 off your energy bill.
Check if you can apply for the Utilities Concession.
Get an extra $175 off your household energy bill
If you already get the Utilities Concession, you automatically get an extra $175 off your energy bill from the Energy Bill Relief Fund.
If you don't already get the Utilities Concession, you may still be eligible. The Department of Veterans' Affairs or Services Australia will let you know what to do to get the extra $175 from the Energy Bill Relief Fund.
Seniors Card discounts
Discounts on goods and services for people over 60
If you’re over 60 and work less than 20 hours a week, you can get an ACT Seniors Card to get discounts on goods and services.
Check the discounts you can get and apply for a Seniors Card.
Health costs
Get free health care at a Walk-in Centre, from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm
Anyone over one year of age can get free nurse-led health care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
Find a Walk-in Centre and check the current wait times.
Free public health care and discounted medicines
Public health care in Canberra is free:
- Medicare pays for some or all the costs of your necessary health care.
- You can use your Medicare card to get more affordable medicines.
Learn more about the free public health care you can get.
Help to pay for new glasses
If you need glasses, the Spectacles Subsidy Scheme could give you and your dependants up to $200 off the cost of glasses every 2 years. To apply you’ll need a Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card.
Find a registered optometrist and check if you can apply.
Help to pay for low vision aids
If you are losing your eyesight, the Low Vision Aids Scheme will pay up to $100 every 2 years to help pay for magnifiers and other low vision aids.
Check if you can apply for the Low Vision Aids Scheme.
Rates costs
Discounted rates for pensioners
You could get up to $750 off your rates and $98 off the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Levy if you have a Services Australia Pensioner Concession Card or a Veteran Gold Card.
Check if you can get a pensioner rates discount.
Pay your rates later if you’re 65 or over
If you’re 65 or over and have at least 75% equity in your home, you can arrange to pay all or part of your rates later. You’ll pay a low interest rate on the amount you delay paying.
Apply to pay your rates later.
Pay your rates later for pensioners
If you have an eligible concession card, you can arrange to pay all or part of your rates later. You’ll pay low interest on the amount you delay paying.
Check if you can pay your rates later.
Transport costs
Discounted or free bus and light rail travel
If you have a Seniors Card or eligible concession card, you can get free or discounted travel on public buses and light rail. If you’re 70 or over, you can travel for free all the time.
Find out how to get concession fares on buses and light rail.
Help paying for a taxi if you cannot use public transport
If you have a disability and cannot use public transport, you could get help from the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme. The scheme can help you pay for a taxi for essential activities.
Check if you can apply for the Taxi Subsidy Scheme.
Help to get to your local medical and shopping centres on a wheelchair accessible minibus
If you find public buses hard to use because you have trouble moving, you could use the Flexible Bus Service. The bus service is wheelchair accessible. It can help you get from your home to your local hospital, medical or shopping centre.
Check if you can use the Flexible Bus Service.
Help to get around your local area
If you do not have transport and cannot use public buses, you may be able to use the Community Bus Service. Buses run from Monday to Friday, and you can get picked up and dropped off.
Check if you can use the Community Bus Service.
Get a 30% discount on your driver licence for safe driving
You can get a 30% discount on your licence renewal for safe driving over the past 5 years.
Check if you can get a safe driving discount on your driver licence renewal.
Discount on your driver licence for concession card holders
You can get a discount when you renew your licence if you have a Pensioner Concession Card.
Check what discount you can get on your driver licence.
Discounts on car registration
You can get a discount on your car registration if you have a Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Card.
Check the discounts you can get on your car registration.
Australian Government support
If you are retiring, accessing aged care or caring for an older person, you may be eligible for support from the Australian Government
Find out more about Australian Government payments for older Australians.
Other cost-of-living support
Cost-of-living support for: