The NSW Seniors Card and the NSW Senior Savers Card are part of a nationwide Seniors Card program. This program offers a range of benefits to eligible seniors, including discounts, special offers and competitions, with reciprocal rights in other states and territories. According to the NSW Government, 90% of seniors in the state hold a Seniors Card and more than 7,500 companies participate in the program.
What is the NSW Seniors Card?
The NSW Seniors Card offers eligible NSW residents discounts on goods and services, as well as cheaper public transport via a Gold Senior Opal Card.
What is the NSW Senior Savers Card?
The NSW Senior Savers Card offers similar benefits to the Seniors Card, minus the public transport discounts.
Who is eligible for a NSW Seniors Card?
You may be eligible for a NSW Seniors Card if you:
- Are 60 or older
- Are a permanent resident of NSW
- Don’t do more than 20 hours of paid work a week (on average, calculated annually)
The NSW Government defines a permanent resident as “any Australian citizen or resident with a permanent visa who lives in NSW on a permanent basis”. It says that “temporary visa holders are not eligible”.
Who is eligible for a NSW Senior Savers Card
- Permanent residents of NSW
- 60 years of age or older
- Work more than 20 hours of paid hours per week (on average, calculated annually)
What discounts can you get with a NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card?
You can receive discounts from a range of businesses, including shopping, dining, entertainment and more. Some of the more notable businesses that offer discounts to card holders include Woolworths, IGA and AGL.
You can search for discounts by postcode and business type on the NSW Seniors Card website or you can download discount directories for each of NSW’s five regions.
A NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card may also entitle you to some ‘reciprocal benefits’ interstate and in New Zealand.
What transport concessions can you get with a NSW Seniors Card?
NSW Seniors Card holders are also eligible for a Gold Opal Card to use on public transport in NSW. A Gold Opal Card gives you access to unlimited travel for $2.50 a day on metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter and the Illawarra.
You’ll need to carry around your Seniors Card when using public transport as proof of your entitlement.
You may also be entitled to cheaper transport Australia-wide. Check the Seniors Card website for the state or territory you are visiting to see what applies.
How does the NSW Senior Card and the NSW Senior Savers Card differ?
Both types of cards enable seniors to access the benefits on offer from participating businesses, such as discounts, special offers and competitions. However, NSW Senior Savers Card holders are not eligible for a Gold Opal Card, and so therefore cannot access discounted public transport. A Savers Card holder could apply to have their card changed to a Seniors Card, if their average annual work hours were to fall below 20 hours per week (a year on average). This would enable them to obtain a Gold Opal Card.
How do I apply for a NSW Seniors Card and the NSW Senior Savers Card?
You can apply for a free NSW Seniors Card or Senior Savers Card online or in person at a Service NSW centre. To apply for a card you’ll need to provide your postal address, date of birth and a valid green Medicare Card number or a Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) card. Once your application is received and approved, the NSW Government states that it will take about 21 days for your card to arrive in the mail.
Cover image source: pisaphotography/Shutterstock.com
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This article was reviewed by our Digital Editor Amanda Horswill and Finance and Lifestyle Editor Shay Waraker before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
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