Australian Government Directory of Services for Older People 2011
Other payments and services
Table of contents
Assurance of Support 
Migrants who do not meet the conditions for independent admission to Australia may be required to have an Assurance of Support.An Assurance of Support is a legally binding agreement between an Australian resident or organisation (the assurer) and the Australian Government. The assurer agrees to provide support to the migrant (the assuree) in Australia.
Each Assurance of Support can cover up to two adults and an unlimited number of their dependent children. If the migrant or their dependants claim a recoverable social security payment while covered by an Assurance of Support agreement, the assurer must repay the full amount back to the Government.
In some instances, the payment of a bank guarantee may also be required. Assurers should be prepared to deposit money with the Government’s nominated bank to cover the value of the guarantee.
To become an assurer, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- have income greater than the threshold for the current financial year
- have income greater than the threshold for the previous financial year
- be an Australian resident
- be 18 years or older
- provide proof of identity
- be able to lodge a bond, if required
- be able to lodge a bank guarantee, if required.
There are no exemptions from the Assurance of Support provisions.
If the assurer meets the requirements, Centrelink will accept the Assurance of Support. Centrelink will notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship directly that an Assurance of Support has been accepted to allow the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to finalise processing of the visa application.
Phone: 13 28 50 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Australian Government Regional Information Service 
The Australian Government Regional Information Service (AGRIS) brings together information about a range of programs and services delivered by the Australian Government. The service includes an information line and a website.Phone: 1800 026 222 (Australian Government Regional Information Service)
Website: www.regionalaustralia.gov.au
Postal: Australian Government Regional Information Service
Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
GPO Box 803
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Bereavement Allowance
A Bereavement Allowance may be paid if:- your partner has died
- you were living with your partner immediately before your partner’s death
- you do not have a new partner
- you are not eligible to receive Parenting Payment
- you have income and assets below a certain amount
- you meet residence requirements.
Bereavement Allowance recipients may also receive the Pension Supplement. The Pension Supplement is a fortnightly payment to assist with household expenses.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Bereavement Payment
Bereavement Payment is available to couples, single people, parents and carers who were receiving an eligible social security payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance at the time of the death. It provides short-term assistance to help people adjust to changed financial circumstances following a death. It may include continuation of existing payments (some for 14 weeks) and/or a lump sum.Specifically, bereavement payment is available to pensioners:
- if the deceased was a single pensioner, or was a pensioner whose surviving partner is not reliant on income support, the deceased’s estate receives a bereavement payment in the form of the final pension payment
- if the deceased was a member of a couple, where both received pension payments immediately before the date of death, the survivor’s rate is adjusted to the single rate and a lump sum may be payable
- where loss of the survivor’s entitlement occurs as a result of a death (e.g. Wife Pension or Carer Payment), the survivor remains qualified for the payment for up to 14 weeks after the death.
It is also available to long-term benefit recipients who have been in receipt of a social security benefit for a minimum of 12 months prior to the death. Such customers are assessed under the same conditions as listed above for pensioners.
Single principal carers receiving Newstart or Youth Allowance at the higher ‘with child’ rate, whose only qualifying child has died, will continue to receive payment, including Family Tax benefit if eligible, for 14 weeks following the child’s death. Family Tax Benefit may also be paid as a lump sum.
Customers receiving Parenting Payment (Single) whose only qualifying child dies will continue to receive payments, including Family Tax Benefit, for 14 weeks from the child’s death. Family Tax Benefit may also be paid as a lump sum.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
13 61 50 (Family Assistance Office)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
www.familyassist.gov.au
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Carer Allowance
Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment available to carers who provide daily care and attention, in a private home, to an adult or child with a disability or severe medical condition, or to a frail aged person.Please refer to Chapter 3, Support for carers section, for further information on Carer Allowance.
Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Carer Payment
In situations where an adult or child needs full-time care a carer may qualify for income support in the form of Carer Payment.Please refer to Chapter 3, Support for carers section, for further information on Carer Payment.
Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Carer Supplement
Carer Supplement is an ongoing annual payment to assist with the costs of caring for a person with a disability or medical condition.The Carer Supplement is paid to carers who were paid one of the following payments for a period that includes 1 July of that year:
- Carer Allowance adult or child
- Carer Payment
- Wife Pension with Carer Allowance
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Carer Service Pension
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Partner Service Pension with Carer Allowance.
Carers who receive Carer Allowance receive up to $600.00 for each person being cared for. If a carer is receiving a part rate of Carer Allowance due to shared care arrangements the Carer Supplement is paid at the same proportional rate.
A person can receive more than one component amount of the Carer Supplement depending on their individual circumstances.
The Carer Supplement is automatically paid to eligible customers.
Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Child Disability Assistance Payment
The Child Disability Assistance Payment is intended to assist families caring for a child with a disability to purchase assistance for that child – for example, to purchase a wheelchair, install a hoist in the family home, modify the family car, or for respite care or therapy. This money can be spent however the family chooses.The Child Disability Assistance Payment of up to $1,000.00 for each child is paid to parents and carers who receive Carer Allowance (child) for 1 July each year.
The Child Disability Assistance Payment is automatically paid to eligible customers.
Phone: 13 27 17 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Clothing Allowance 
You may qualify for a Clothing Allowance if you have war or defence-caused blindness, multiple amputations of limbs, one leg amputated causing essential hip disarticulation or an injury or disease of another kind which causes exceptional wear and tear of, or damage to, clothing. The rate payable depends on the type of incapacity.Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
If you are of age pension age but do not qualify for Age Pension, you may be eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) if your adjusted taxable income is under $50,000.00 for a single person, $80,000.00 for a couple (combined) and $100,000.00 for a couple (combined) who are separated due to certain circumstances (for example illness).CSHC holders may receive:
- pharmaceuticals listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme at the concessional rate
- bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the doctor
- Seniors Supplement
- discounted fares on Great Southern Railway services
- in some instances, additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions that may be offered by state/territory and local governments and private providers. However, these providers offer these concessions at their own discretion, and the availability of these concessions may vary from state to state.
CSHC holders are also eligible for the lower threshold of the extended Medicare safety net.
If you think that you may qualify for the CSHC, please check with Centrelink.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
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Crisis Payment
Crisis Payment is a one-off payment designed to help people who are in severe financial hardship. There are four categories of Crisis Payment - extreme circumstance forcing departure from home, remaining in home after removal of family member due to domestic or family violence, release from prison or psychiatric confinement and humanitarian entrants who arrive in Australia for the first time on a qualifying humanitarian visa.To be eligible for a Crisis Payment a social security pension or benefit must be payable to the person and the person must be in severe financial hardship on the day on which the claim for Crisis Payment is made. That is, for a single person, liquid assets are less than the fortnightly amount of the maximum rate of income support payable and for a member of a couple, liquid assets are less than twice the fortnightly amount of the maximum rate of income support payable.
The Crisis Payment is half the fortnightly ‘maximum basic rate’ of the person’s income support payment—that is, a flat rate of one week’s payment.
A person may receive up to four Crisis Payments in a twelve month period, with the exception of newly released prisoners who can receive additional payments if eligible. Humanitarian entrants cannot be paid more than once on the same qualifying humanitarian visa.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) pensioners should contact DVA.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Decoration Allowance/Victoria Cross Allowance 
You may qualify for a Decoration Allowance if you receive a Disability Pension and you received an eligible decoration during a war or warlike operations. In addition to decoration allowance, Victoria Cross recipients are entitled to receive an annual Victoria Cross Allowance.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Defence Service Homes Subsidised Home Loan Scheme 
You may qualify for a Defence Service Homes (DSH) loan, which is available through the Westpac Banking Corporation, if you:
- served with Australian defence forces for specified periods of service
- are a widow or widower of someone who served with Australian defence forces during the periods of qualifying service covered by the DSH Scheme
- were part of the British Commonwealth forces, welfare organisations, or merchant marine in certain circumstances.
These portable loans are intended for:
- buying a house or unit
- buying land and building a house
- completing a partly built house or unit
- enlarging, modifying or repairing a house
- re-financing an existing mortgage, charge or encumbrance on a house or unit
- uilding, completing, enlarging, modifying or repairing retirement village accommodation or discharging its debt.
- additional advances where the maximum loan has not been borrowed
- advances for essential home repairs and instalment relief in times of hardship.
Email: DSHSubsidyVIC@dva.gov.au
Eligible DSH loan recipients are also eligible for Defence Service Homes Insurance domestic building and contents cover.
Phone: 1300 552 662 (Defence Service Home Insurance)
Website: www.dsh.gov.au
Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme
The Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme (the Scheme) provides practical in-home assistance to households anticipated to experience the most difficulties in switching over to digital TV.The Scheme involves a government-contracted installer visiting eligible households to supply, install and demonstrate a set-top box, at no cost to the recipient. The installer will undertake any necessary upgrades to the household’s cabling or antenna.
A household may be eligible for assistance where they own a functioning TV, do not already have access to digital TV and at least one resident is receiving a maximum rate Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer’s Payment, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) service pension or DVA income support supplement. In addition, a household must be located within a TV licence area switching over to digital TV.
The Scheme is available for six months before and one month after the switch to digital TV in each TV licence area. Information about when individual TV licence areas will be switching over to digital TV is available from www.digitalready.gov.au.
Phone: 1800 201 013 (Digital Switchover Taskforce)
E-mail: switchover@dbcde.gov.au
Website: www.digitalready.gov.au
Postal: Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Digital Switchover Taskforce
GPO Box 4112
SYDNEY NSW 2001
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Disability Bereavement Payment 
This is a non-taxable payment that helps a bereaved pensioner meet financial demands that may follow the death of a partner who had been receiving a Disability Pension. The surviving member of a couple whose partner was receiving Disability Pension may receive a bereavement payment equal to 12 weeks of the Disability Pension received at the time of death. A bereavement payment may also be made to the estate of a single veteran who was in receipt of a Disability Pension at the Special Rate or the Extreme Disablement Adjustment and who dies in indigent circumstance. Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Disability Pension 
A Disability Pension is paid to compensate you if you have injuries or diseases caused, or aggravated, by war service or certain service in Australia’s defence forces. To be eligible you must have served:
- in a conflict as a member of the Australian Defence Force
- in the Australian merchant navy during World War II
- as a peacekeeper representing Australia overseas before 1 July 2004
- in the Australian Defence Force while undertaking hazardous service overseas before 1 July 2004
- as one of certain civilians who assisted the Australian Defence Force in wartime before 1 July 2004
- in the Australian Defence Force within Australia (after serving three years unless medically discharged sooner) from 7 December 1972 to 6 April 1994.
The amount of Disability Pension paid depends in the first instance on your level of incapacity. The effect of disabilities on your capacity to work may also affect the amount paid.
The Disability Pension is not taxed and is not counted as income for the Service Pension income test. It is counted as income when assessing eligibility for Rent Assistance, hardship provisions and by Centrelink.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Emergency Relief
If you are in a financial crisis, and are unable to meet your basic needs, you may be able to get short-term emergency relief through a community or charitable organisation. The Australian Government provides funding to community and charitable organisations to help them provide emergency relief to people in financial crisis. Assistance is generally for a one-off purpose and is usually in the form of food or purchase vouchers, part-payment of an outstanding account or sometimes cash. Emergency relief is not an income support payment and providers use their own criteria for assessing requests for assistance.The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in each state or territory can give you the names of emergency relief providers in your area. Centrelink can also refer you to an emergency relief provider in your area.
Phone: 1300 653 227 (Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)
Website: www.fahcsia.gov.au
Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
The Australian Government recognises that there are exceptional circumstances such as severe drought, which are beyond the control of farmers and agriculturally dependent small businesses. In these circumstances, farmers or small business owners may be able to get an Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment from Centrelink to help with their everyday living expenses.You may receive:
- a fortnightly payment at the same rate as Newstart Allowance
- a Health Care Card.
The payment continues while the exceptional circumstances declaration is in force.
Phone: 1800 050 585 (Farmer Assistance Line)
13 23 16 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Family Assistance Payments
Australian Government family assistance payments are available to all eligible Australian families, including grandparent carers, to assist with the costs of raising children. These payments include Family Tax Benefit Part A and B, Child Care Benefit*, Child Care Rebate, Double Orphan Pension, Baby Bonus, Paid Parental Leave and Maternity Immunisation Allowance. In addition, grandparent carers can also obtain a non-income tested foster child Health Care Card for the children in their care.*An eligible grandparent carer in receipt of an Income Support Payment can also receive Grandparent Child Care Benefit, which covers the full cost of approved child care for up to 50 hours per child, per week.
Phone: 13 61 50 (Family Assistance Office)
Website: www.familyassist.gov.au
Funeral Benefit 
A Funeral Benefit is a one-off payment of up to $2,000.00 that is designed to defray the funeral costs of veterans. Automatic payment of the benefit is made on application when the veteran was:
- a prisoner of war
- ceiving a Special Rate Disability Pension
- receiving an Extreme Disablement Adjustment
- receiving a Disability Pension plus an allowance as a multiple amputee.
Funeral Benefit may be paid for the funeral of an eligible dependant who was in severe financial need.
A Funeral Allowance may be payable in respect of persons covered by the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 who died as a result of their accepted condition.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
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Health Care Card
A Health Care Card (HCC) is issued automatically to people who do not qualify for a Pensioner Concession Card but who receive:- certain social security benefit payments (e.g. Newstart, Sickness, Partner and Widow Allowance)
- certain social security supplementary payments or are in specific circumstances, such as those entitled to receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A by instalment, parents caring for children with certain illnesses/disabilities and receiving Carer Allowance (child).
- pharmaceuticals listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at the concessional rate and be eligible for the lower threshold of the extended Medicare safety net
- bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the doctor.
In some instances, additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions may be offered by some state/territory and local governments and private providers. However, these providers offer these concessions at their own discretion and their availability may vary from state to state.
Sickness Allowance recipients may also access:
- certain Australian Government hearing services
- a 50 per cent concession on mail redirection services through Australia Post.
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Home Support Loans 
A Home Support Loan of up to $10,000.00 may be available to you if you:
- are an eligible person under the Defence Service Homes Act 1918
- are an Australian veteran entitled to benefits under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
- are the widow or widower of one of the above.
- assist with the cost of maintenance to your home
- assist with the purchase of granny flat accommodation on another person’s property (in this situation you must also apply for a Certificate of Assignment)
- assist with the cost of any other housing related purpose that encourages independent living.
Email: DSHSubsidyVIC@dva.gov.au
Income Support Bereavement Payment 
This is a non-taxable payment that helps a bereaved pensioner meet financial demands that may follow the death of a partner who had been receiving a Service Pension, Income Support Supplement or social security payment.A pensioner who is the surviving member of a couple whose partner was receiving one of the above mentioned income support payments may receive a bereavement payment equal to 14 weeks of the income support pension received by the deceased at the time of death.
If the deceased pensioner did not have a partner, one pension instalment is paid to the estate.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Income Support Supplement 
You may qualify for an Income Support Supplement if you are receiving a War Widow(er)s Pension from Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). This supplement is in addition to the pension and provides a regular income if you have limited means. It is subject to the income and assets tests; however, if you are blind you are exempt from means testing. Income support supplement is taxable if paid on the grounds of age, and is non-taxable until age pension age if paid on the grounds of invalidity.Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Loss of Earnings Allowance 
You may qualify for this allowance if you lose salary, wages or earnings while you are receiving treatment for war or defence-caused disabilities, or while you are attending an appointment to investigate a claim for a Disability Pension. If you have an authorised attendant with you to provide assistance they may also be entitled to this allowance.The amount paid is the lesser of:
- the difference between the special (TPI) rate and your present Disability Pension
- the amount of salary or wages actually lost.
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Lump Sum Advance 
If you receive a service pension, income support supplement, war widow(er)s pension, veteran disability pension or Centrelink age pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and you require additional funds for any purpose you might be able to get some of your pension paid in advance.To be eligible for a lump sum advance you have to:
- have been receiving a pension from DVA or Centrelink continuously during the three months before you apply for the advance
- be able to afford to repay the advance without suffering severe financial hardship
- be an Australian resident living in Australia when you apply.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
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Money Management Services 
If you need practical and essential support to help you build longer-term capability to manage your money better and increase your financial resilience, you may be able to get support through your local Money Management Service. These services are available in remote locations across the Northern Territory and in some remote locations in Western Australia and far north Queensland. Services are voluntary, confidential and free.The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in each state or territory can give you the names of emergency relief providers in your area. Centrelink can also refer you to a Money Management Service provider in your area.
Phone: 1300 653 227 (FaHCSIA - for the names of Money Management Service organisations in your area)
Website: www.fahcsia.gov.au
National Information Centre for Retirement Investments
National Information Centre for Retirement Investments (NICRI) is an independent body funded by the Australian Government to provide the public with free information on financial investments, financial industry services and saving for retirement. NICRI does not represent the Government or the financial industry. NICRI provides financial information, not financial advice.NICRI delivers its services to the public through a toll-free telephone enquiry service, a website and presentations at external seminars, including FIS seminars. NICRI also provides an extensive range of information leaflets which can be obtained from their website.
NICRI also has an online financial education tool known as moneymap. Moneymap has a number of calculators to work out loan, investment and savings scenarios and has links to relevant Government departments, consumer based agencies and NICRI leaflets.
Phone: 1800 020 110 (National Information Centre for Retirement Investments)
13 14 50 (Translating and Interpreting Service)
Website: www.nicri.org.au
No Interest and Low Interest Loans
If you are on a low income and have a need for access to a small loan then you may be eligible for a no interest or low interest loan through one of the schemes partially funded by the Australian Government. These schemes, funded under the Financial Management Program (FMP), include Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service’s No Interest Loans Scheme (NILSŪ) and Step-Up schemes as well as the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Progress Loans scheme.These loans can be accessed for a range of purposes including the purchase of essential household items, medical items or educational expenses.
Phone: 1300 653 227 (FaHCSIA)
Website: www.fahcsia.gov.au
Pension Bonus Scheme
The Pension Bonus Scheme was closed to new members from 20 September 2009 (with the exception that people who met the age and residence qualifications for the Age Pension before 20 September 2009 may still be able to register).The scheme provided incentives for older Australians to defer claiming Age Pension for up to five years if they continued working.
The scheme pays a tax-free lump sum to entitled members, who are registered in the scheme, when they eventually claim and receive Age Pension.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment
Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment is a tax-free lump sum payment for the surviving partner of a deceased Pension Bonus Scheme member who did not make their claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus before they died.To qualify you must satisfy residence and other requirements. The amount of the payment will depend on the amount of Pension Bonus that would have been paid to your deceased partner had they claimed Age Pension and Pension Bonus before they died.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Pensioner Concession Card
A Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) is automatically issued to all social security pensioners, Department of Veterans’ Affairs service pensioners and war widows who receive the income support supplement.The PCC is issued to certain social security benefit recipients who meet specific criteria, including to older long-term recipients, those who have a partial capacity to work or single principal carers of dependent children. It is also issued to certain customers who are participating in the Pension Loans Scheme or Community Development Employment Projects.
PCC holders (and in some instances, their dependants) may receive:
- pharmaceuticals listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at the concessional rate
- reduced medical expenses through a lower Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold
- assistance with certain hearing services
- bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the doctor
- discounted fares on public transport, rates (for example council and water), utilities (for example electricity), telecommunications service providers and motor vehicle registration charges
- a 50 per cent concession on mail redirection services through Australia Post
- discounted rail travel on Great Southern Rail services, and in most states at least one free rail journey a year within the state of residence
- additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions that may be offered by some state/territory and local governments and private providers. However, these providers offer the concessions at their own discretion, and they may vary from state to state.
Phone: Telephone Centrelink on your normal Services and Payments telephone number.
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
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Pharmaceutical Allowance
The purpose of Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA) is to assist with the cost of pharmaceutical medicines.PhA is paid fortnightly to recipients of Parenting Payment (Single) who are under the qualifying age for Age Pension and to Sickness Allowance, Disability Support Pension recipients who are aged under 21 without children and to certain other benefit recipients in particular circumstances.
People over the qualifying age for Age Pension who are in receipt of certain income support payments may receive the Pension Supplement, not Pharmaceutical Allowance.
Please refer to Chapter 5, Centrelink pensions and allowances section, for information about the Pension Supplement.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Postal services
Australia Post provides postal services for all Australians.Australia Post is required by law to provide a universal letter service which is reasonably accessible to all Australians and, in addition, to provide a standard letter service at a uniform price from anywhere to anywhere in the country.
Australia Post deliver to 10.7 million addresses every day. Mail can be lodged at one of our retail outlets or at more than 10,000 street posting boxes across the country.
With more than 4,000 retail outlets across the country, Australia Post are able to offer a range of packaging, bill payment and agency banking services. We also act on behalf of other organisations to process applications, view documents and complete identification checks (e.g. passport applications).
Phone: 13 POST (13 76 78) (Australia Post)
Website: www.auspost.com.au
Postal: Australia Post
Customer Contact Channels
GPO Box 9911
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Recreation Transport Allowance 
You may qualify for a Recreation Transport Allowance if you suffer from severe and permanent war or defence-related disabilities that affect your mobility. It is provided so that you can be transported to recreational activities. The allowance is paid at a higher rate and a lower rate and the rate you receive depends on your degree of disability. It is not paid if you are being cared for at public expense in a hospital or other institution.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Rehabilitation and Compensation Group 
If you have been medically discharged from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) because of a compensable injury, rehabilitation may help you return to normal daily functioning and suitable employment. You are also eligible if you are a former ADF member who has been in civilian employment, but because of your compensable injury or illness, you are finding it difficult to manage your injury and function at home or in the workplace. The Rehabilitation and Compensation Group in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs can develop a rehabilitation program for you. After completing a rehabilitation assessment that indicates if you may benefit from rehabilitation, assistance available to you may include:
- the development of an individual rehabilitation program covering medical or allied health, vocational and or psychosocial services
- the provision of aids, appliances and/or home and workplace modifications
- assistance in moving from defence to civilian life
- a rehabilitation program developed by an approved rehabilitation provider in consultation with you.
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Remote Area Allowance 
Remote Area Allowance (RAA) is paid to income support recipients who permanently reside within the following Remote Tax Zones:
- Tax Zone A
- Special Zone A
- Special Zone B.
RAA is non-taxable and is not subject to an assets or income test. The amount of RAA received will reduce the Income Zone Tax Offset (formerly Zone Rebate).
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Remote Area Allowance 
Veterans who may be entitled to the Remote Area Allowance should call the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance gives extra help to people on low incomes who rent their accommodation in the private or community rental market. You may be able to get Rent Assistance if you pay:- rent to private or community landlords
- lodging, or board and lodging
- site fees for a caravan, tent or mobile home that is your principal home
- fees to moor a vessel that is your principal home
- fees for accommodation in a retirement village or hostel (if you are not considered a home owner)
- nursing home fees (accommodation in non-government funded bed).
Rent Assistance is generally not paid to people who pay rent to a state/territory housing authority (such as a Housing Commission), people who own or are buying the home in which they live, or people who are overseas for more than 26 weeks.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Rent Assistance 
Veterans who may be entitled to Rent Assistance should call the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Senior’s Passport
If you are travelling overseas, you might be eligible for a senior’s passport, which provides advantages over the standard passport in terms of its validity period and cost.Australian citizens aged 75 years and over may apply for a senior’s passport. A senior’s passport is issued with a validity period of five years, compared with the ten year validity of a standard Australian passport, and is half the cost of the standard passport.
For passport applications, the term ‘senior’ specifically refers to Australians who are 75 years or over. The threshold of 75 years was adopted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in consultation with community groups as it was considered to best suit the passport needs of older Australians.
The Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) provides a telephone information service to callers in Australia seven days a week, AEST 8.00 am to 8.00 pm weekdays and 8.30 am to 5.00 pm weekends and most public holidays. APIS is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.
Phone: 13 12 32 (Australian Passport Information Service)
Website: www.passports.gov.au
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Seniors Supplement
The Seniors Supplement is available to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders or certain Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders. It is a quarterly payment to assist eligible seniors with the cost of general living expenses.Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Service Pension 
You may qualify for a Service Pension if you have qualifying service, which generally means service in operations against the enemy while in danger from hostile forces of the enemy. The Service Pension is paid five years earlier than the Age Pension paid by Centrelink. If you are permanently blind or permanently unable to work you may qualify regardless of your age. You cannot receive this pension as well as a pension or benefit from Centrelink.This pension is taxable if you are over age pension age. Unless you are blind it is subject to income and assets tests.
If you have a high level of income or assets that prevents you from receiving the Service Pension, you may be able to receive a Service Pension through the Pension Loans Scheme or the hardship provisions.
The partner of a service pensioner may receive a partner service pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Partner service pension is taxable if the Veteran’s Service Pension is taxable, or if the partner is over age pension age.
The Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) may also be payable to certain veterans who receive income support payment. DFISA means all disability pensioners in identical circumstances receive the same level of income support whether paid under Social Security Law or Veterans’ Affairs legislation.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Special Benefit
Special Benefit helps people who are in severe financial hardship due to circumstances outside your control and unable to get any other Centrelink pension or benefit.To qualify a person must:
- be in financial hardship
- be unable to earn a sufficient livelihood for yourself and your dependants because of age, physical or mental disability, domestic circumstances or for any other reason beyond your control
- not be receiving or entitled to an income support payment from Centrelink or a Service Pension
- be a permanent Australian resident or the holder of an approved visa
- be residing in Australia during the period of payment except under certain circumstances.
The maximum rate payable depends on your individual circumstances. Generally it is the same as Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance. The value of any in-kind support, such as free board and lodgings and income is directly deducted from the maximum rate payable. For information regarding current rates visit Centrelink’s website.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Financial Information Service)
13 63 57 (Financial Information Service seminar bookings)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Telephone Allowance
Telephone Allowance (TAL) is a quarterly payment to assist with the costs of a telephone or home internet service. TAL is paid to recipients of Parenting Payment (single) who are under age pension age and recipients of the Disability Support Pension who are aged under 21 without children, if they or their partner is a telephone subscriber.The amount of TAL is shared between both members of an eligible couple.
Please note: the quarterly payment of TAL is not related to any concessions or discounts offered by your telephone provider.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Centrelink)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
Temporary Incapacity Allowance 
You may qualify for a Temporary Incapacity Allowance if you are employed and have undergone hospital or other institutional treatment for a war or defence-caused disability, and have been off work for a continuous period of more than 28 days due to rest and recuperation on the advice of a medical practitioner. There is no requirement that income is actually lost.The allowance is paid at a rate that is the difference between the Disability Pension you already receive and the special rate.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Vehicle Assistance Scheme 
You may qualify for financial assistance under this scheme if you have been incapacitated by a war-caused or defence-caused injury or disease that has resulted in multiple amputations, complete paraplegia or a condition accepted by the Repatriation Commission as being of similar effect or severity.Under this scheme you can get financial assistance to buy a new car and, if necessary, modifications to that car. A running and maintenance allowance can go towards the cost of registering and insuring the vehicle.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Veteran and Community Grants 
Veteran and Community Grants provide seeding funds for projects that support a healthy, quality lifestyle for members of the veteran community to live independently in their homes. Grants also fund initiatives that reduce social isolation, support carers and improve access to community care services. Funding is available to eligible ex-service and community organisations and veteran representative groups.Phone: 1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
War Widow(er)s Pension 
War Widow(er)s Pension is paid to compensate widowed partners of veterans who have died as a result of war service or eligible defence service. You must have been legally married, or in a marriage-like relationship with your partner immediately prior to his/her death. This pension is not taxed and is not affected by any other income except for compensation payments.
You may also be entitled to:
- a Gold Card
- Income Support Supplement
- concessions on the costs of public and private transport and public utilities
- a funeral benefit in respect of the veterans’ death.
Phone: 13 32 54 (capital city callers)
1800 555 254 (regional callers)
1300 551 918 (Local Veterans’ Affairs Network offices)
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Work Bonus
The Work Bonus provides an incentive for older Australians to enter or remain in the workforce by allowing working pensioners over pension age to keep more of their pension. The Work Bonus was introduced on 20 September 2009.Pensioners entitled to the Work Bonus benefit by having some employment earnings excluded from assessment under the income test. If you think you may be eligible for the Work Bonus and would like more information, contact Centrelink.
Phone: 13 23 00 (Financial Information Service)
13 63 57 (Financial Information Service seminar bookings)
Website: www.centrelink.gov.au
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