What is a Companion Card?

If you care for a person with a disability, you may have heard about the Companion Card. With so many cards available offering different benefits, it’s good to simplify and clarify what this card is all about.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What the card is
• What the benefits are
• The Additional Companion Sticker
• Who is eligible
• How you can get the card and the sticker.

To start with, let’s define what the card is.

What is a Companion Card?

The Companion Card is issued to the person with disability. It is either a physical card or a digital card that can be downloaded to a device. It is designed so that a carer can support a person with disability to live their life to the full. It ensures the person with disability can attend community events, while the carer doesn't incur the additional personal cost when accompanying the person with disability.  

Benefits of the Victorian Companion Card

The card gives the carer:

• free entry when accompanying the person with disability to participating venues and events. It could be entry to the Melbourne Zoo, AFL, participating Ticketmaster events, Village Cinemas, Arts Centre events, and more
• free travel on trains, trams, and buses in Victoria at all times, Statewide, as long as the carer is accompanying the person with disability
• one free MLAK key for accessible toilets and facilities in Victoria for people with disability.

The Additional Companion Sticker

In addition to the Companion Card, if the person with disability requires two attendant carers to travel on public transport, the person with disability can apply for an Additional Companion Sticker. This allows two companions to travel free on public transport, when accompanying the person with disability.

Who is eligible for the Companion Card

To be eligible, there are certain criteria the Victorian Government requires the person to meet.

The person with disability:

• is a permanent resident of Australia, residing in Victoria
• has a significant, permanent disability
• is unable to participate at most community activities without attendant care support
• has the need for this level of attendant care, life-long.

How to apply for a Companion Card and Additional Companion Sticker

Each State has its own companion program, and so in Victoria, you will apply to the Victorian Government for the card.

You can find more information about the card, including the link to apply, by going to Carers Victoria website. The card is not a Carers Victoria product. Carers Victoria supports carers with information and help to receive benefits, including this card.

Carers Victoria supports unpaid carers

Carers Victoria is the peak body for unpaid carers. We understand issues in the care sector, and we work with government, other peak bodies, service providers and private organisations to improve the lives of carers.

Our Statewide Carer Advisory Service gives you quick, clear, expert information, advice, and helps you link to assistance, such as understanding and applying for a Companion Card.

You can also become a free member of Carers Victoria.

The benefits of Carers Victoria membership include:

• invitations to free events, such as Roving Respite, Lunches and Brunches, learning workshops and carer programs
• unique member-only deals
• opportunities to contribute to advocacy through surveys, focus groups and research
• receiving our monthly newsletter, The Voice, with carer news, events and stories
• free digital access to the Australian Carers Guide.

Become a free member of Carers Victoria, here.