2023-04-19
The ACT Seniors Card is a valued support for older Canberrans but not all eligible people are aware of the concessions available to them, a recently commissioned independent review of the program found.
Over 3,000 individuals and businesses provided feedback to the review of the program which was commissioned by the ACT Government to look at the benefits, accessibility and usability of the ACT Seniors Card and ways it can be improved for Canberrans.
Minister for Veterans and Seniors Emma Davidson MLA recognised the considerable response from the Canberra community.
“There are more than 77,000 eligible Seniors Card cardholders in the ACT, this review has told us that the concessions and discounts seniors are receiving through the program are providing some much-needed relief as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise.
“We also heard that people do not necessarily know what benefits they can access through the card, so they may be missing out on some significant concessions.
“While we explore the next steps to build on this valued program, I encourage all Seniors Card holders to visit the online Seniors Card Directory and take advantage of the discounts which can be substantial, such as free public transport or 10% discounts on car registration” said Minister Davidson.
The ACT Seniors Card is provided free of charge to ACT residents over 60 years of age who work less than 20 hours a week in paid employment and provides discounts and concessions for more than 300 participating government services and businesses.
The ACT Government concessions include discounted car registration, free and discounted public transport, free green waste bins, concessional entry to ACT Government Pools and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and dog registration concessions.
Information gathered through this consultation will inform next steps for the ACT Seniors Card Program. The findings have now been released in a listening report now available on the ACT Government YourSay website.