Electricity Concessions

The Tasmanian Government offers the following electricity concessions:

– The Annual Electricity Concession is available for those with a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or ImmiCard and it gives you a discount on your electricity bill. Contact your electricity provider to apply;

– The Heating Allowance is a payment of $56 per year which Pensioner Concession Card holders who also receive either Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment or Service Pension. It is means tested;

– There are also concessions for those who use life support systems, and for those whose medical condition requires the heating or cooling of the home to manage the condition.

The Tasmanian Government also provides assistance through the Winter Energy Assistance Package, with discounts on bills, an Energy Saver Loan Scheme offering interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for eligible applicants to invest in energy efficient products that help lower their electricity bills, and other services to help with winter energy costs.

See Get Started for more information on how to access Electricity Concessions.

Companion Card

A Tasmanian Companion Card is for people with lifelong disability who need support from a carer to participate in community activities. It entitles them to a free ticket for their companion carer at some events and venues. It is free to apply and the form is available online, at Service Tasmania Shops or by phoning 1800 009 501.

Not all people with disability will be eligible, as the applicant must show that they need lifelong attendant care due to their disability. The application form must be signed by a health provider (such as a doctor, therapist or social worker), or a service provider who knows the person well.

For more information and to check whether you or your family member is eligible, see Get Started for the link to the  Tasmanian Government Companion Card website.

Transport

There are a number of discounts and concessions available to help you get around Tasmania more economically. These include the following:

– Bus travel (incl Companion Card) discounts;

– Vision impairment guide dog and attendant travel free;

– Derwent ferry concession;

– Transport Access Scheme (see Australian Govt);

– Bass Strait Islands discount;

– Bruny Island Ferry concession;

– Spirit of Tas;

– Driver’s license concessions;

– Vehicle rego discounts.

You can find out about these in the Tasmanian Government Concessions Guide. See Get Started for the link or visit Service Tasmania and pick up a copy.

Pensioner concession parking vouchers

In Hobart, free parking vouchers are available to people with a pension card, and they entitle the person to 4 hours of free parking in any Hobart City Council carpark on any one day a week. You must be the owner of the car and provide both a pension card and vehicle registration in the same name to receive a booklet.

Devonport City Council has also introduced free parking for people who receive a disability pension.

For information on disability parking concessions in Burnie visit the Burnie City Council’s website or phone them on 6430 5700

In Launceston, the council offers a SmartCard to people who live in the Launceston municipality and have a pensioner concession card. The card entitles the holder to 3 hours free parking a week in council carparks, and $80 per year in free tip fees at Launceston, Nunamara and Lilydale Waste Transfer Stations.

See Get Started for links to Hobart, Devonport, Burnie and Launceston’s council websites.

Education

The Tasmanian Government offers assistance and concessions in education including in adult education. There is help with school uniforms, spectacles, accommodation and travel, as well as concessions on tuition fees (and in some cases, access to free education and training).

See Get Started for the link to the Tasmanian Government Concessions Guide to find out more or visit Service Tasmania and pick up a copy.

Health

Health services the Tasmanian Government provides free or at a subsidised price include:

– Adult and children’s dental services;

– Diabetes information, programs, advice and services;

– Subsidised Enteral feeds;

– Home Oxygen supplies;

– Patient travel assistance;

– Subsidised Vision Aids.

See Get Started for the link to the Tasmanian Government Concession Guide to read the full list of available health concessions.