Carer and companion cards

The carer card also allows government and businesses across Victoria to recognise the important contribution made by caring families to our society.

Each program has a different purpose and elibility requirements.

The carer card

The Victorian Carer Card

The carer card is a discounts and benefits card for unpaid primary carers in Victoria.

The scheme encourages state and local government, community organisations and private businesses to collaborate in recognition of the significant contribution caring families make to Victorian society.

What does the carer card provide?

The carer card gives you benefits and discounts on a range of products and services, including travel and leisure, education, tourism, health, wellness and retail:

• discounts on a range of government and community venues, activities and services
• free travel on public transport on Sundays and travel vouchers for two free return off-peak trips anywhere in Victoria
• benefits and discounts from participating businesses

Search the carer card directory to find participating businesses and state and local government venues in your area.

Who can apply for a carer card?

You can apply for a Victorian carer card if you:

• are a resident of Victoria
• are the primary, unpaid carer of a person with a disability, a severe medical condition, or a mental illness, or who is frail aged or who is in need of palliative care; and

• provide care in the home of the person you care for

How to apply for a carer card

You will need to show that you are a primary carer.

The application is quick, easy, and can be completed online if you are:

• receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance from Centrelink; or
• a formal DHS foster, kinship, respite or permanent carer

If these categories do not apply to you, you can still ask your health professional to nominate you as a primary carer. The carer card website provides guidance on the types of health professionals who can nominate you and what they need to know.

You will need to fill in a print copy of the application form and ask your health professional to complete Section 4.

The companion card

The Victorian companion card promotes the right of people with a disability to fair ticketing at Victorian events and venues.

What does the companion card provide?

If the person you care for has a significant, permanent disability that stops them from attending community activities and venues without care support, he or she can use the companion card to book or buy tickets for an attendant carer at no extra charge.

Any organisation that charges an admission or participation fee can accept the companion card. Some organisations have formally registered their participation in the scheme. Browse the list of participating organisations.

You can also use the companion card on all Victorian metropolitan and regional public transport services.

Who can apply for a companion card?

The person you care for can apply for a companion card if they:

• are a permanent resident of Australia
• have a permanent disability

• can demonstrate that, because of the impact of their disability, they require lifelong attendant care to be able to participate at community venues and activities

How to apply for a companion card

Ring the companion card information form and ask to be sent an application form. There is a copy available on their website for information only - you should not use it to make an application.

The application form can be filled out:

• by the person you care for
• on their behalf if they are unable to complete the form themselves

It is a fairly complex 16 page document and you can call the Companion Card Information Line if you need help to fill it in. You can also read the companion card handbook to find out more.