Discounts for seniors and pensioners in 2025
Aging comes with wisdom, experience and – let’s be honest – some well-earned perks! If you’re a senior living in Australia, you might be surprised at the number of free services and discounts available to help you stay independent, healthy and connected.
And with cost of living stress affecting most of us, saving wherever you can is vital!
So, from government support programs to everyday discounts – here’s your ultimate guide to saving money while enjoying life to the fullest.
Government-issued concession cards
Pensioner Concession Card
You may be eligible for a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) if you receive certain payments from the government (e.g. Age Pension, Carer Payment).
A Pensioner Concession Card provides benefits like cheaper medicine, bulk billed doctor visits and help with hearing services.
You don’t need to apply for a Pensioner Concession Card. Services Australia will send you one if you’re eligible. Find out more about it here.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
If you’re not eligible for a Pensioner Concession Card, you may be able to get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).
The CSHC can help with the cost of health care and medicines, and give you access to other discounts.
You will need to be an Australian resident of Age Pension age and able to meet an income test. Check the full criteria here.
Veteran healthcare cards
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs issues several different types of healthcare card.
Depending on the type of card you’re eligible for, you could get help with the costs of health care, medicine, transport and utility bills.
If you’re an Australian veteran you may be eligible for a Veteran healthcare card. The type of card you can get will depend on your situation.
Find out more about Veteran healthcare cards on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.
Seniors Card
The ultimate gateway to everyday discounts, seniors cards are issued by each state and territory. They can provide a wide range of discounts on products and services, such as:
- shopping and dining
- travel and attractions
- health services
- household bills
- public transport
- automotive care.
You don’t need to meet the Age Pension requirements to apply. Seniors cards are available to all Australian citizens or permanent residents over 60.
You are only eligible for a seniors card in the state or territory that you primarily reside in. Find out how to apply in your state or territory here.
Government support programs
Commonwealth Home Support Programme
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides basic, entry-level home care services to help older Australians live independently in their own homes. These services are bulk funded by the government to approved providers. CHSP services include simple cleaning, gardening, nursing and social support.
Home Care Packages Program
Home Care Packages are designed to provide tailored support for older Australians who wish to remain safe and independent in their own homes. Unlike CHSP, Home Care Package funding is assigned to each individual to use how they wish, selecting the provider and services themselves.
Home Care Package services may include domestic assistance, gardening and house maintenance, meals and shopping, social and recreation, transport, personal care, in-home respite care, home modifications, safety and security, health and wellbeing, equipment, devices and aids.
Get our simple step-by-step guide to applying for home care here.
Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway service providers help carers access a range of free services and support just for carers, including.
- peer support groups
- practical support (e.g. planned respite, cooking and cleaning)
- counselling services
- online skills courses
- emergency respite services.
Many of these services can be accessed in-person, over the phone or online. Call 1800 422 737 to find out if you’re eligible.
Personal support and advocacy
You never need to feel alone in dealing with bureaucracy – thankfully, there are free services available to help:
- Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – If you ever feel you’re not being treated fairly in aged care, OPAN offers free advocacy support and advice.
- National Seniors Australia (NSA) – NSA provides free resources on financial wellbeing, retirement and navigating government services.
- Legal Aid and Seniors Rights Services – Access free legal assistance for issues like elder abuse, wills and consumer rights.
- CareAbout – We offer a free service to hep you find the right home care provider to cater to your specific needs.
Health services
Your health is priceless – but it doesn’t have to cost the earth! There are many free and subsidised health services for seniors:
- Healthcare – Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) offer free or subsidised access to doctor visits, medications and medical tests.
- Health checks – Over 75 and living at home? You’re entitled to a free annual health assessment with your GP.
- Incontinence management – If you have permanent and severe incontinence, the Continence Aids Payment Scheme can help with your costs.
- Hearing tests and aids – The Hearing Services Program provides eligible seniors with free hearing checks and subsidised hearing aids.
- Dental services – Some states offer free or low-cost dental care for pensioners.
- Healthdirect – Free health information and advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Social and wellbeing support
Staying active and connected is key to a happy, fulfilling life. Here are some free and low-cost ways to keep engaged:
- Meal delivery – Services such as Meals on Wheels deliver nutritious meals that may be subsidised by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or the Home Care Packages Program.
- Local seniors groups and clubs – Many councils offer free social groups, walking clubs and hobby classes.
- University of the Third Age (U3A) – Get access to a wide range of courses and activities for a low annual fee.
- Men’s Shed and local community centres – A great way to meet people, work on projects and share skills.
- Free library programs – Your local library offers free book clubs, tech workshops and even language classes.
General discounts for seniors and pensioners
There’s really no end to the discounts and freebies you can take advantage of every day:
- Public transport – Seniors get discounted fares or free off-peak travel in some states.
- Movies and theatre – Many cinemas and performing arts venues offer discounted senior tickets.
- National park entry – Love the outdoors? Some states offer free access to national parks for seniors.
- Retail and dining – Many stores and restaurants offer senior discounts – just ask!
- Tech support and courses – Learn how to use your smartphone or computer with free classes at libraries and community centres.
- Internet – Some internet providers offer affordable plans tailored for seniors, often including home phone services.
Free provider comparison service
Are you looking for a home care provider but no idea where or how to start? Or maybe you’ve tried comparing the hundreds of providers out there, but you’re no closer to finding “the one”?
Choosing a home care provider is one of life’s big decisions. After all, they’ll be your partner on the aged care journey. You’ll be relying on them to deliver care in your own home. How can you know if they’ll be trustworthy, reliable and compassionate?
It’s definitely not a decision to make on your own.
Every day, we help dozens of people just like you find the quality care and peace of mind they’ve been looking for (without the stress and confusion). How do we do it?
- We get to know you by listening very carefully to your needs and preferences.
- We provide clear, caring advice based on your situation and in language you can understand.
- We only recommend trusted providers that can deliver the care you require.
- We can arrange a meeting with the provider and then follow up with you afterwards.
There’s no reason to travel this path on your own. Our service is cost-free and obligation-free. So you’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain!
