The Victorian Government offers a variety of concessions to veterans, including those available through the new Veterans Card - Victoria.
Veterans Card - Victoria
All past and present ADF members can access discounts and benefits through the Veterans Card - Victoria.
This includes:
- $100 discount on the registration of one vehicle
- free public transport on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day
- free trailer and caravan registration
- fishing licence exemption
- free boating (marine) licences
- access to Victorian Government veteran-specific employment programs.
For more information on the Veterans Card - Victoria and how to apply, visit Service Victoria.
Other concessions available to veterans
To check your eligibility, visit the websites below:
- For council rates, electricity, gas, water and utility concessions, check the Health and Human Services calculator
- Public transport
- Vehicle registration
- Taxi fares
- Recreational fishing licences
- First home buyers
- Ambulance
- Eye examinations and low-cost glasses:
- Melbourne residents – for eye examinations, contact the Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital on 03 9929 8666. For glasses, contact the Victorian College of Optometry on 03 9349 7455
- Rural residents – contact the Victorian Eye Care Service on 03 9349 7434 for both examinations and glasses
- National Diabetes Services Scheme
- Hearing services
- Dental services
- Australia Post – phone 131 318
- Telstra – phone 132 200
- Pet registrations – find your local council
Municipal rates concession
Provides a 50% deduction on council rates up to a yearly maximum of $235.150 for 2019-20 (amount indexed yearly).
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/municipal-rates-concession
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card marked TPI, War Widow(er), EDA and POW
Concession provider
Application forms available from local councils.
Note: This concession is NOT available to generic DVA Gold Card holders, only those indicated.
Stamp duty concession
No stamp duty on a new home worth $330,000 or less. Partial discount on houses worth between $330,001 and $750,000. This is a once only concession.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Application forms available from the State Revenue Office.
Annual electricity concession
17.5% of electricity usage and service costs.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by all electricity retailers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/annual-electricity-concession
Excess electricity concession
For households with electricity bills above $2,890.45 for the annual concession period to ensure the 17.5% discount continues to apply above that threshold.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by electricity retailers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/excess-electricity-concession
Controlled load electricity concession
Available to those households that access off-peak rates for separately metered electric hot water or slab heating. Provides a 13% discount off their controlled load electricity bills.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by electricity retailers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/controlled-load-electricity-concession
Electricity transfer fee waiver
Waives the fee that is normally payable to electricity retailers when cardholders move into a new house.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by electricity retailers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/electricity-transfer-fee-waiver
Life support concession
Quarterly rebate on electricity and/or water bills where a household uses an eligible life support machine.
The discount is equal to 1,880 kilowatt hours of electricity a year for qualifying machines.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Application forms available from hospitals, electricity retailers and DHHS.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/life-support-concession
Medical cooling concession
17.5% discount on summer electricity costs where a member of the household has a medical condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature (in addition to the annual electricity concession). This concession is available from 1 November to 30 April each year.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Application forms available at energy retailers, MS office, or via the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/medical-cooling-concession
Service to property charge concession
Provides a discount on electricity service charge where a household has very low electricity usage. The discount reduces the service charge to the cost of the total electricity usage for the billing period.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by electricity retailers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/service-property-charge-concession
Winter gas concession
17.5% discount off mains gas bills during the winter period of 1 May to 31 October each year.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by gas suppliers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/winter-gas-concession
Excess gas concession
Enables applicants to continue the discount concession on gas for households whose gas bills are in excess of $1,587.82 for the six-month winter period (1 May to 31 October 2019).
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Provided by gas suppliers.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/excess-gas-concession
Non-mains energy concession
Offers concessional rebates for those households that rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), firewood or heating oil for domestic heating, cooking or hot water, or who access non-mains electricity via an embedded network or who rely on a generator.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
Concession provider
Application forms available from LP Gas suppliers; or local councils; or via the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/non-mains-energy-concession
Fire services property levy concession
Discount of $50 off the Fire Services Property Levy. Only one concession applies per property.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card embossed TPI and War Widow(er)
Concession provider
Available through local councils. Visit the State Revenue Office fire services property levy for more information.
Water and sewerage concession
50% discount on water and sewerage charges up to an annual maximum of $328.90 for 2019-20.
Customers who are billed for a single service, for example, water only, will receive 50% off water charges up to a maximum of $164.45.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card
Concession provider
Claimed directly from water supplier.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/water-and-sewerage-concession
Non-mains water concession
Assists cardholders who are not connected to mains water with the costs of purchasing non-mains water for domestic usage.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card
Concession provider
Application forms available from water suppliers or from the Concessions information Line on 1800 658 521.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/non-mains-water-concession
Utility relief grant scheme and utility relief grant scheme (non-mains)
For cardholders who are unable to pay their mains, electricity, gas or water bill due to a temporary financial crisis. Capped at 6 months’ worth of usage up to a maximum of $500. This grant is available to both private renters and home owners.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card
Concession provider
Provided by gas, electricity and water retailers.
For non-mains energy only (LPG, heating oil, etc), application forms available from water suppliers or from the Concessions information Line on 1800 658 521.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/hardship
Water and sewerage connection scheme
Grant covers the full cost of connection to a mains water and sewerage service under the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program for applicants that have no savings to cover cost of connection. Only available to home owners.
Eligibility
- DVA Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card
Concession provider
Claimed directly from water supplier.
Website: services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/water-and-sewerage-concession
War veterans travel pass
Free public transport travel pass (Myki).
Eligibility
Customers must:
- have undertaken war / peacemaking / peacekeeping service overseas, and
- provide a copy of 1 of the following:
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA ) Gold or White card, OR
- evidence of ongoing compensation from DVA, or
- lump sum compensation from DVA for an injury/illness related to this service, and have their treating doctor sign the application form confirming the illness/injury is due to service and that locomotion is significantly limited
- be a resident of Victoria
Concession provider
Available through Public Transport Victoria
EDA/TPI Ex-service personnel pass
Concession travel pass (Myki) for public transport.
Eligibility
Customers must:
- hold a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold or White Card or previously be entitled to a DVA Victorian War Widow(er) Transport Concession Card
- have documentary evidence of their partner/spouses overseas war/ peacemaking service
- not be entitled to any other type of concession card/li>
- be a resident of Victoria
Concession provider
Available through Public Transport Victoria
Concession for vehicle registration and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) charge
50% off registration fee and 50% off TAC charge (for DVA Gold Card holders not marked with dependent).
No registration fee and 50% off TAC charge (for DVA Gold Card holders embossed with TPI).
Eligibility
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Health Care Cards
- DVA Gold Card holders (not marked with dependant)
- DVA Gold Card embossed with “TPI” or “EDA”
Concession provider
Available through VicRoads.
For information on how to apply for this concession phone Vic Roads on 13 11 71 or visit VicRoads website
Ambulance
Free ambulance transport in an emergency.
Eligibility
- Pensioner Concession Card (excluding dependants and spouses)
- DVA Gold Card holders
- DVA White Card holders
- Pensioner Concession Card
Concession provider
Ambulance Victoria.
Phone: 9840 3500
Website: www.ambulance.vic.gov.au
Free eye examinations and low cost glasses
Can be accessed at the Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, the Victorian College of Optometry or rural Victorian Eye Care Services.
Eligibility
- Pensioner Concession Card
- DVA Gold Card holders
- DVA White Card holders
Concession provider
Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital; Victorian College of Optometry; Victoria Eye Care Services
To access VES or for more information contact ACO on (03) 9349 7400 or visit www.aco.org.au/eye-care-services/eye-care-in-melbourne/do-i-qualify
Multi-purpose taxi program
Half price taxi fares, up to $60 per trip with a cap of $2180 per year.
Membership cards to access the program cost $16.50.
Eligibility
- DVA Gold Card holders
- DVA Gold Card holders embossed TPI or EDA are exempt from the annual caps
Concession provider
Available from the Victorian Taxi Directorate
Website: cpv.vic.gov.au/passengers/mptp
Pharmaceutical benefits
Eligible for $6.10 per prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Premiums charged by manufactures may apply to some alternative brands/medicines. Once you have spent the PBS Safety Net threshold on PBS medicines, you will receive PBS medicines free for the rest of the year.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Website: www.pbs.gov.au
National diabetes services scheme
You can receive a range of Australia Government approved products at a reduced price.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Phone: 1300 136 588
Website: www.ndss.com.au
Hearing services
The Office of Hearing Services provides vouchers which enable you to get hearing assessments and devices from hearing service providers of your choice. This includes the cost of fitting the device.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Phone: 1800 500 726
Website: hearingservices.gov.au
Dental
Dental Health Services provides emergency and general dental care for PCC holders. Waiting lists apply for general dental care. Emergency relief of pain is generally available within 24 hours.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Phone: 1300 360 054
Website: www.dhsv.org.au
Australia Post
Australia Post will give discounts on re-directing mail for PCC holders who change their address and deliver some items that aid the sight impaired free of charge, or at a discounted rate.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Phone: 131 318
Telstra
Telstra offers a number of concessions to PCC holders, including a discount on new telephone service connection fee and a reduction in your home line plan.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Phone: 132 200
Recreational fishing licenses
PCC holders and TPI veterans are entitled to this concession. This means you do not need to purchase a fishing license. It does not apply to inland amateur netting licenses.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries/recreational-fishing/fishing-licence
Pet registration
PCC holders may be eligible for this for concessions on cat and dog registrations. The concessions vary between councils.
Eligibility
Pensioner Concession Card.
Concession provider
Australian Partners of Defence (APOD)
APOD is a veteran membership program that offers discounts and benefits to veterans and their family members.
Eligibility
APOD membership is available to all serving personnel, reservists, veterans, allied military personnel and their immediate family members. Existing DVA card holders can join for free.
To find out more and join visit the APOD website.
Downloads
Veterans Card Victoria - Social Media Package (ZIP 9.39 MB)
Veterans Card Victoria - Email Banner
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