Your simple guide to the NSW Seniors Card: How it can save you money

Everyone loves a bargain, but once they turn 60 many people in NSW forget to grab one of the best deals on offer – their NSW Seniors Card or Seniors Savers Card.

Even if you have not fully retired from the workforce, it’s worth checking to see if you are eligible for a Seniors Card, as in many states the rules allow you to undertake some paid work and still receive a card.

Getting a non-means tested Seniors Card gives you access to valuable concessions on transport costs and discounts from participating businesses for a wide range of goods and services.

To help you make the most of this valuable free scheme, check out SuperGuide’s detailed guide to accessing and using a state Seniors Card.

What benefits are available?

With a NSW Seniors Card you can access lots of discount offers and this includes generous public transport and government concessions in some states.

The discounts available from participating businesses vary considerably, with many of the benefits related to holidays, travel and hospitality. There are also discounts on everyday items like automotive services, household needs, recreation and professional services.

Although discount offers are available year-round from participating businesses, some states also offer special time limited deals. That means it’s a good idea to regularly check your state’s Seniors Card website for the current deals and offers.

Guide to your New South Wales Seniors Card and Seniors Saver Card – rules and benefits

www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au

Who can apply for a NSW Seniors or Seniors Saver Card?

• Aged 60 or over
• Permanent NSW resident
• Holder of valid green Medicare card or DVA card
• NSW Seniors Card: Work an average of less than 20 hours per week in paid employment across 12-month period or fully retired
• NSW Seniors Saver Card: Work an average of over 20 hours per week in paid employment across 12-month period

How do you apply for a NSW Seniors or Seniors Saver Card?

• Online application with green Medicare Card
• Phone 13 77 88
• Visit Service NSW Centre

What government benefits are available with a NSW Seniors Card or Seniors Saver Card?

NSW Seniors Card holders only:

Transport concessions:

• Sydney – Concession fares on trains, buses, most ferries and light rail on Opal network with Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card – $2.50 daily travel cap. (Holders are eligible for $13.31 concessional access fare to Sydney Airport station.)
• Seniors Card must be carried to prove entitlement. Concession includes public transport services to Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra and Southern Highlands.
• Regional NSW – Concession fares on TrainLink Regional services – $2.50 for Country Pensioner Excursion train tickets and Regional Excursion Daily bus tickets
• Australia wide – Public transport concession fares in other states and territories

Other NSW Government concessions:

• Discount entry to Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Taronga Zoo, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Sydney Observatory, WEA courses
• Discounted Will Safe deposit fee with NSW Trustee and Guardian

NSW Seniors or Seniors Saver Card holders:

• 20% discount on annual passes for NSW National Parks

What discounts can you get with a NSW Seniors or Seniors Saver Card?

• Over 7,400 participating businesses
• Monthly e-newsletter
• Downloadable regional discount directories
• Printed regional discount directories available from Australia Post outlets, Service NSW Centres, MP offices and participating Councils and libraries
• Special offers and competitions
• Reciprocal rights in other states
• Downloadable Seniors Card app: service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/seniors-card-app
• Online search directory: www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au/discounts

Heading interstate? Take your NSW Seniors Card

If you’re travelling interstate, it’s well worth taking your NSW Seniors Card, as most states and territories give interstate seniors concessional public transport fares if they present their Seniors Card. For example, interstate Seniors Card holders visiting the ACT can show their card or apply for an Interstate Seniors MyWay Card to receive similar concession fares to ACT seniors.

Travelling overseas? Pack your Seniors Card

Thanks to a reciprocal agreement with the New Zealand Government, Australian state Seniors Card holders can access discounts from thousands of participating businesses through New Zealand’s SuperGold Card program.

This arrangement does not include state or nationally funded programmes, such as the free off-peak public transport available to New Zealand SuperGold Card holders. For more information, see www.supergold.govt.nz.

It can also be worth taking your Seniors Card if you travel to countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, USA and Canada, as many overseas businesses accept seniors cards if they offer discounted prices to their own seniors.

For information about other benefits in retirement, in particular, the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC), see SuperGuide articles:

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: What it is and how to apply
• What concession cards are available for Seniors and Pensioners?