What seniors can get free
Don’t miss out on the concessions and free services to which you are entitled, writes Lauren Ahwan
SENIORS are missing out on many discounted or free services because they don’t know what is available, advocates say.
A generous array of discounts – including free or half-priced motor vehicle registration fees and free public transport – is provided to older Australians but these are poorly advertised, leading to poor take-up rates, said National Seniors Australia general manager Chris Grice.
“(Subsidies and discounts for older Australians) get announced but there’s no other mention of it after that – you’ve got to track (information) down yourself,” Mr Grice said.
“So it becomes a problem of ‘how do we get access to concessions if we don’t know about them’?
“If you’re digitally literate, you are at least halfway there through search engines and the like. But for those that aren’t digitally literate, there’s no way to find those things.”
Mr Grice said publications specifically targeting older people, such as The Senior, were among the best sources of information about discounts and subsidies, while joining seniors-based organisations also helped.
Seniors group COTA SA’s chief executive officer, Jane Mussared, said continual increases in the cost of living were putting older Australians under significant financial pressure, with many relying on discounted services to make ends meet.
She said many seniors would be surprised to learn most states and territories offered half-price vehicle registration, for one motor vehicle and one trailer or caravan, to pension card holders. In NSW, pensioners can actually receive free vehicle registration.
Discounted public transport, legal advice and training were also available, while “hundreds” of other discounted or free products and services were provided exclusively to Seniors Card holders, Ms Mussared said.
“Older people have to be savvy with their money and we often hear examples of great creativity and thriftiness in making ends meet,” she said.
“Discounted or free products and services are a valuable way of making their money go further, beyond better-known government discounts on utilities, for example.”
Pensioner Jeannette Hunt, 71, uses her Seniors Card to access discounts on council rates and utility bills, including the internet, as well as postage stamps. She even asks about discounts from businesses not registered with the Seniors Card scheme, often resulting in a 10 per cent reduction in charges.
“The worst they can say is no,” said Mrs Hunt, who estimated she saved hundreds of dollars each year on discounted or free products and services.
“I’ve left no stone unturned trying to find as many savings, discounts and rebates as possible to help save money. “Every dollar counts and it makes living on a pension much
easier.”