Terms and Conditions - WA Seniors Card Membership

1. Eligibility

Prior to applying for a WA Seniors Card, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Meet the Age Requirement

  • Applicants must be 65 years of age or above.

Be an Australian resident, who resides in Australia as one of the following:

  • An Australia Citizen
  • The holder of a permanent visa
  • A New Zealand Citizen who holds a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) or a protected Special Category Visa
  • The holder of an Investor Retirement Visa (subclass 405), or Retirement Visa (subclass 410)
  • The holder of a Bridging Visa due to applying for one of the following visa categories listed below and has resided in Western Australia for at least 18 months since the bridging visa grant date:
    • Subclass 804 Aged Parent Visa
    • Subclass 835 Remaining Relative Visa Aged Parent Visa
    • Subclass 838 Aged Dependent Relative Visa
    • Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent Visa

Reside in Western Australia

  • In addition to having the ability to reside in Australia, applicants must reside in the State of Western Australia. Applicants cannot maintain permanent residence outside Western Australia. Where temporarily absent, for example, interstate or overseas travel, you must maintain a continuing connection with Western Australia. Examples include retaining a residential address in Western Australia or remaining enrolled in the Western Australia Electoral roll.
  • Applicants who do not have a fixed residential address in Western Australia, or who are residing with another person, may still be eligible if they can demonstrate that Western Australia remains their home base or place of usual residence. Applicants are advised to contact the WA Seniors Card Centre to discuss their individual circumstance.

Working Hours

  • Applicants must be either permanently retired or working no more than 25 hours per week in paid employment.
  • Paid leave including annual leave, non-attendance periods (such as school holidays), long service leave and personal leave is included when determining an applicant's working hours per week. For example, an applicant who is contracted to working 30 hours however utilises 8 hours of paid leave under this arrangement would still be considered as working 30 hours in paid employment for that week.
  • If transitioning from full-time to part-time employment, the current working hours will be used to determine eligibility.
  • If you are employed on a casual or seasonal basis, the working hours over the last 12-month period are used to determine your average working hours.
  • Activities undertaking volunteer work or performing home domestic duties are not considered as paid employment and should not be included when calculating weekly working hours.
  • Members must notify the WA Seniors Card Centre if there are any changes to their paid working hours that affects their eligibility.

2. Identification

  • When applying for a WA Seniors Card, you must provide current identification that confirms your:
    • Date of birth
    • Right to residency and
    • Proof of your current residential address
  • A WA Seniors Card will only be issued in your name, as shown on your identification documents. If your name differs from your identification documents, the following documents can be provided: a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Papers, and a Change of Name Certificate from the Registrar General.
  • If you do not provide the required identification documentation, we are not obliged to issue you a WA Seniors card. The WA Seniors Card Centre may contact you to resend your documents if they are illegible or insufficient.
  • You must provide one of the options from each Primary and Secondary Identification. The following identification documents are accepted:
    Primary Identification (Establishment of Identity)
    Australian Birth Certificate
    (accompanied by marriage certificate(s) if name changed)
    Australian or New Zealand Passport
    Australian Citizenship Certificate
    International Passport
    (accompanied by permanent Visa Grant Notice)
    Secondary Identification (Proof of Residence)
    WA Driver's Licence or Learner's Permit
    WA Photo Card
    Pensioner Concession Card
    Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
    Health Care Card
    Property Lease/Rental Agreement
    (signed pages required)
    Local Council Rates Notice
    Utility Bill
    (Power, Water or Gas)

3. Third-Party Representation

You may nominate a legally authorised third party to manage your WA Seniors Card membership on your behalf. By accepting this role, the nominated party agrees to take responsibility for the applicant’s or member’s compliance with these Terms and Conditions. Supporting documentation must be provided to verify the appointment. The following third-party arrangements are acceptable:

  • Enduring Power of Attorney
  • State Administrative Tribunal Order

4. Updates to details and changes to circumstances

Applicants are responsible for notifying the WA Seniors Card Centre of any changes that may affect your eligibility. This includes but not limited to:

  • Change of residential address, moving interstate or residency status
  • Change of contact information (phone and email)
  • Change in employment hours
  • Separation/divorce/death change of spouse

If you are applying for a replacement card, the card will be sent to your current postal address. If this has changed, you will need to update your details.

You may update your details:

  • Online through a WA Seniors Card account - If you do not have an online account for your WA Seniors Card, you may register here
  • By downloading an Update of Details form from the WA Seniors Card website Forms page and submitting it by email or post
  • In person, at the WA Seniors Card Centre (140 William Street, Perth), or ServiceWA Bunbury (24 Wellington St, Bunbury)

5. Improper use and conduct

Improper use and conduct may result in suspension of membership and referral to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation. Examples include:

  • Providing false or misleading information
  • Not reporting changes in circumstances such as increase in working hours
  • Sharing access to your WA Seniors Card with a third party
  • Aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our customer service staff

6. Redeeming benefits as a WA Seniors Card Member

  • Discounts offered on the WA Seniors Card website apply only to valid WA Seniors Card members. They do not apply to family members or friends.
  • Some participating businesses have applied conditions and exclusions to their discount offer. Always contact the participating business to ensure you are aware of conditions and exclusions that may apply prior to purchasing.
  • Businesses are not obliged to honour discounts after the transaction has occurred; therefore, you must advise that you are a WA Seniors Card member before the sale of goods or services.
  • Unless otherwise stated, the discount offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
  • The discounts on the WA Seniors Card website are provided for information purposes only. The Government of Western Australia does not endorse or make any guarantee as to the suitability or quality of the goods and services offered by the businesses listed. Before purchasing from a listed business, you should decide whether the product or service is of good quality and whether it is suitable for your needs.
  • Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information on the website is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, the Government of Western Australia does not accept any responsibility for any errors, omissions, inaccuracies or changes in policy or products of businesses listed.
  • The benefits provided by the WA Seniors Card may change from time to time, and certain benefits may be cancelled altogether.
  • The Department of Communities reserves the right to amend the Terms and Conditions at any time.

7. Privacy policy

Any personal information you share with WA Seniors Card Centre will be handled in accordance with the principles of the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 information privacy principles, and WA State Government data security protocols. Department of Communities Privacy Policy.

Terms and Conditions - Cost of Living Rebate

Overview

The Cost of Living Rebate is an annual payment provided by the Western Australian Government to support eligible WA Seniors Card members with some of their everyday expenses.

1. Eligibility

To qualify for the Cost of Living Rebate, applicants must have a valid WA Seniors Card Membership.

2. Rebate Amount

The rebate amount may vary annually and is determined each year by the Western Australian Government. The amount payable will differ depending on whether the member is single or has a spouse, whereby a couple’s rebate amount will be provided. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the WA Seniors Card Centre if there are any changes to your relationship status, as this may impact your rebate amount.

3. Payment Process

Payments can only be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to an authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) operating in Australia, as listed on the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) register. This includes Australian-owned banks, foreign bank subsidiaries incorporated in Australia, and branches of foreign banks authorised by APRA.

Payments must be made to an APRA-authorised ADI to ensure funds are transferred securely to a regulated Australian banking entity.

The nominated account must be held in Australia with an APRA-authorised ADI.

Accounts held outside Australia are not eligible.

Payments can only be made to a personal bank account in your name, unless the following applies:

  • A partner’s personal bank account, if both partners hold a current WA Seniors Card and their membership accounts are linked on the WA Seniors Card register. By nominating your partner’s bank account, you consent to the rebate being paid directly to them. It is your responsibility to ensure you can access the funds once payment is made.
  • Enduring Power of Attorney bank account (must provide evidence)
  • State Administrative Tribunal-appointed Guardian bank account (must provide evidence).

Payments cannot be made to:

  • Business accounts
  • Religious or charity organisation accounts
  • Trust accounts
  • Accounts in a former name (e.g. maiden name). Please contact your bank to update your details prior to applying or if required

4. Application Requirements and Deadlines

New applications must be received by the WA Seniors Card Centre by 31 May for payment to be issued in that year.

Please note retrospective payments cannot be made and applications received after 31 May will only be processed for the following years payment.

5. Update to Details and Changes to Circumstances

You are responsible for notifying the WA Seniors Card Centre of any changes that may affect your eligibility by 31 May each year.

This includes changes such as:

  • Change of bank account details
  • Change of residential address or residency status
  • Change in employment hours
  • Passing of the cardholder or partner
  • Separation/divorce/change of spouse

Registered members who fail to update their details by 31 May may result in delay receiving payment or cancellation of the rebate. No retrospective payments will be made in these circumstances and members will need to reapply.

6. Overpayments

You must notify the WA Seniors Card Centre as soon as practicable if an overpayment has been made to you, whereby you are no longer eligible to receive the Cost of Living Rebate, due to changes in your circumstance.

7. Deceased Members

The Executor of the deceased member's estate should notify the WA Seniors Card Centre as soon as practicable.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

Information provided with your application will only be used for verifying eligibility for the Cost of Living Rebate and processing payments.

Any personal information you share with the WA Seniors Card Centre will be handled in accordance with the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 information privacy principles, and WA State Government data security protocols. More information on the Department of Communities Privacy Policy can be found here.

9. Improper Use and Conduct

Providing false or misleading information to receive the Cost of Living Rebate where you are not eligible may constitute as a criminal offense. You may face serious consequences, including:

  • Cancellation of the rebate
  • Repayment of any funds received
  • Suspension of your WA Seniors Card membership
  • Referral to law enforcement agencies for further investigation

10. Payment Status

Registered WA Seniors Card members can check the status of their rebate payment by registering for online access to their account and checking their payment.

11. Income Tax

The Cost of Living Rebate payment is made by the Government of Western Australia and is not considered assessable income by the Australian Tax Office under Section 6-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Commonwealth).

12. Income Test for Pension

As per the Social Security Act 1991 (Commonwealth) - Volume 1 Chapter 1 Section 8 (ZAA) - the Cost of Living Rebate is considered exempt from the income test applied by Services Australia (Centrelink).