NSW Seniors Card: Benefits, discounts and how to apply

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

What benefits are available?

With a NSW Seniors Card you can access lots of discount offers on goods and services you purchase, plus generous public transport concessions and reductions on some government fees and charges.

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 offers are special time-limited deals. That means it’s a good idea to regularly check the NSW Seniors Card website for the current discounts and offers.

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

Website: www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au

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

• Aged 60 or over
• Australian citizen or permanent NSW resident (temporary visa holders are ineligible)
• Holder of green Medicare or DVA Card
• NSW Seniors Card: Work less than 20 hours per week in paid employment (averaged over 12 months)
• NSW Seniors Saver Card: Work more than 20 hours per week in paid employment, or 1,040 hours over 12 months

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

• MyServiceNSW Account and email address required if you apply online
• 2 proof of ID documents required (1 must prove citizenship or permanent resident status). Acceptable documents include Australian driver licence; Medicare card; Australian passport, birth certificate, travel visa, citizenship certificate, ImmiCard or certificate of registration by descent
• Online application process 
• Phone 13 77 88
• Visit Service NSW Centre

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

You receive a physical card with an option to add a digital credential version to your ServiceNSW app

NSW Seniors Card holders only:

Transport concessions:

• Gold Opal card providing public transport concessions
• Seniors Card must be carried to prove entitlement
• Sydney: Unlimited daily travel for $2.50 on trains, buses, ferries and light rail on Opal network
• Holders are eligible for $15.50 concessional single use station access fee for Sydney Airport station
• 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 all day travel with Country Pensioner Excursion train tickets and Regional Excursion Daily bus tickets
• Australia wide: Public transport concession fares in other states and territories may apply

Other NSW Government concessions:

• Discount entry to Australian Museum, Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Chinese Garden of Friendship and The Bradman Museum
• Discounted annual pass for NSW National Parks
• Discounted Will Safe deposit fee with NSW Trustee and Guardian

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

• Over 6,000 participating businesses
• Online search directory: www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au/discounts
• Downloadable Seniors Card Discount Directory for five main regions in NSW
• Monthly e-newsletter and Facebook community
• Printed region specific discount directories available from Australia Post outlets, Service NSW Centres, MP offices and participating Councils and libraries
• Special offers and competitions

Heading interstate? Take your NSW Seniors Card

If you’re travelling interstate, it’s well worth taking your NSW Seniors Card, as most participating businesses will accept Seniors Cards issued by other states and territories.

In most states and territories, you can also access the concessional public transport fares offered to their seniors if you present the Seniors Card issued by your home state. For example, if you are visiting South Australia, you can show your card and apply for a concession ticket offering similar public transport fare concessions to those received by South Australian seniors.

Always check the rules for interstate seniors listed on the Seniors Card website of the state or territory you are visiting before you travel, as the rules and concessions provided by each state and territory vary and often change over time.

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 programs, such as the free off-peak public transport available to New Zealand SuperGold Card holders. For more detailed information, check the SuperGold website.

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 Australian state Seniors Cards if they offer discounted prices to their own seniors.