If you’re like most people, you’ll be unaware of all the concessions you can benefit from in Victoria. This could be costing you hundreds of dollars each year and more. If you’re a carer, this information is a welcome relief and may just make life a little easier for you.
We're going to take a look at just a few of them:
With these benefits, your financial load can become a lot lighter.
You can reduce your car registration fee if you hold the right card. You'll receive a 50 per cent reduction on the motor vehicle registration fee component of your registration (not the TAC charge). This is valid for those with a Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card or a Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card. Read more, here.
Even though it seems obvious, many people over the age of 60 forget that there are numerous cafes, restaurants and other eateries providing seniors discounts on meals. It’s not just the local RSL where you can benefit. All you need is your Seniors card as proof.
For carers of any age with a Victorian Carer Card (We care card), you can also qualify at many cafes and restaurants for the discount. The easiest way to find out is by calling the venue before you go, or you can search by location for cafes and restaurants that accept the cards, here.
Child Care Subsidy helps you with the cost of childcare and outside school hours care for your child up to the age of 13. If you have a child with disability, this can be extended to up to the age of 18.
If you receive the Carer Allowance, you can access up to 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight per child.
If you receive the Carer Payment, you can access up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight per child.
Read more here.
The Victorian Government provides five to 15 hours of free kinder a week for three-year-olds and 15 hours of free kinder a week for four-year-olds. You'd think this was a given, however some kinder services choose not to offer Free Kindy. They opt to charge families fees to help meet running costs. In this case, if you prefer to send your child to a fee kindergarten, you can usually apply for The Kindergarten Fee Subsidy through the kinder service. Read more here.
If you have school age children, a school's subsidy is another example of concessions you can benefit from in Victoria. After all, not everyone can afford a laptop, textbooks, uniforms, school formals, camps and school photos, but help is there.
There is financial assistance available through:
Read more here, or for more details, contact the Department of Education on 1800 338 663 or via email.
If you hold a Victorian Carers Card (We Care Card), Victorian Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession or Health Care Card, you may be able to get entry discounts at various recreation facilities. In most cases, all you need to do is call the venue ahead of time and tell them the card you have. You could save money getting into the Zoo, National Gallery of Victoria, State galleries, Museum Victoria, public swimming pools, cinemas, AFL games and other events and recreation facilities. Read more, here.
Carers Victoria is the peak body for unpaid carers. We know the benefits and concessions carers are eligible to receive and point carers in the right direction.
For help with any of these, you can call our Statewide Carer Advisory Service office hours, weekdays. Carers Victoria offers expert information, advice and guidance on how to receive benefits and concessions, such as concessions you can benefit from in Victoria.
You can also benefit by being a free member.
The benefits of Carers Victoria free membership include:
Become a free member, here.
