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Concessions
NT Seniors Card
The NT Seniors Card is part of an Australia wide initiative jointly supported by the Northern Territory Government and private enterprise. The card provides a variety of discounts for Seniors.
If you are over 60 years of age and a permanent NT resident you are eligible to apply. The application forms are available on line, or from your local Post Office, TIO Office, Motor Vehicle Registry, Community Care Centre or by calling the Seniors Card Office on 1800 777 704. More
NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme
Provides concessions on electricity, water, sewerage, property rates, garbage charges, motor vehicle registration, drivers licence, urban bus travel, spectacles and interstate travel.
All permanent NT residents (females aged over 60 or males over 65) are eligible to apply. Younger permanent NT residents can apply as long as they meet certain other criteria. More
Taxi Subsidy Scheme
Vouchers are distributed to eligible frail aged persons and people with disabilities unable to use public transport. More
Bus Travel Concessions
Are provided to a range of Senior Territorians. A flat fare of 50 cents for any public bus journey is available for holders of NT Pensioner Concession Cards, Centrelink Pensioner Cards and Veteran's Affairs Gold Cards. More
Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
The card entitles you to reduced cost medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. More
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card helps with the cost of prescription medicines and other services if you are of pension age but do not qualify for an Age Pension. More
Health
The NT Department of Health provides a wide range of service programs
Aged and Disability Program
The Aged and Disability Program works in partnership to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities, children with developmental concerns, people who are ageing and their families and carers, to contribute to and participate in the community.
Services funded and/or provided are: assessment and therapy, case management, respite, supported accommodation and care, community access, information and training, licensing and standards, equipment and subsidies, monitoring and evaluation and guardianship. More
Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs)
ACATs help older people and their carers work out what kind of care will best meet their needs when they are no longer able to manage at home without assistance. ACATs provide information on suitable care options and can help arrange access or referral to appropriate residential or community care services such as Home and Community Care (HACC). An ACAT assessment and approval is required before people can access residential aged care, Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) or Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) Packages.
For further information contact:
ACAT Alice Springs 8951 6744
ACAT
8922 7392
ACAT Katherine 8973 8503
Home and Community Care (HACC)
HACC is funded jointly by the Australian and Territory Governments. It provides a range of basic maintenance and support services for frail aged people and people with a disability and their carers.
The services support people to be more independent at home and in the community, thereby enhancing their quality of life and/or preventing their inappropriate admission to long term residential care. More
Community Aged Care Packages/Extended Aged Care at Home (CACP/ EACH)
A CACP is an individually tailored package of care services which helps people with lots of different care needs to stay living at home by coordinating the different services they need. The EACH program assists frail aged people to remain in their homes, supported by high level care.
To access a CACP or EACH, an older person must be assessed and approved as eligible for either low or high level residential care respectively, by an Aged Care Assessment Team. More
Transitional Care Project
Provides short-term, high-level support for people who are frail aged and/or have a disability. The primary objective of the project is to prevent inappropriate admissions to residential care or the inappropriate re-admissions to acute care (hospital) facilities. Contact 8922 7207 or 8922 7520.
Community Care Centres
Offer a wide range of services including immunisations, disability information, health education and promotion, some public screening and referral, child and maternal health services, home nursing services including palliative care, school surveillance (transition in all schools and year 8 from private schools), NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme information and application processing, and finally assistance and access through referral to other services.
Advanced Care Planning
Advanced Care Planning enables people to discuss and decide upon medical treatments that they may or may not want carried out in the event that they become unable to make decisions or communicate their wishes due to illness and injury. More
healthdirect Australia
healthdirect Australia is a telephone health advice and information line. A registered nurse can help with symptoms, health concerns, advice on when to see a doctor or health service and where to find them. Call 1800 022 222. More
Alzheimer's Australia NT
Alzheimer's Australia NT provides support, information and education to help people living with dementia, their families, their carers, and those working in the dementia care field. More
BreastScreen NT
BreastScreen NT is a free mammography screening service for women aged 50 and over. No doctor's referral is required. For bookings phone 13 2050 toll free. More
Cancer Council of the NT
The Cancer Council of the NT provides cancer information, support and counselling. Contact 8927 4888. More
Carers NT
Carers NT offer support and counselling to those who have found themselves in the role of the carer. Contact 8948 4877.
Commonwealth Carelink Northern Region
Commonwealth Carelink Northern Region is a free information service about community aged care, disability and other support services. Contact 1800 052 222 (toll free). More
Deafness Association of the NT Inc.
Deafness Association of the NT Inc. offers support and develops community awareness of people with a hearing loss. Contact 8945 2016.
Diabetes Australia NT
Diabetes Australia NT provide support, information and products for people living with diabetes. Contact 8927 8488 (Darwin ) or 8952 8000 (Alice Springs). More
NT Vision Resources and Guide Dogs Association
NT Vision Resources and Guide Dogs Association offers services to people who are vision impaired. Contact 8981 5488.
Red Cross Care Service
Red Cross Care Service is a home care service available for eligible frail aged people, or younger people with disabilities and their carers, which includes respite care. Contact Darwin 8920 3700; Alice Springs 8952 3348; Katherine 8972 2246.
Disability Services
Housebound Library Service
Darwin City Council Libraries offer a service for customers who can't physically visit the library. The service delivers books, magazines, newspapers and other materials every three weeks. More
Disabled Person Parking Permits
Are available for people with mobility limitations and who need special parking consideration. Contact your local Council for further information.
Safe Return Program
The Safe Return Program allows Carers to start a search for a person with dementia who has wandered away from home. More
Legal
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document which appoints a person to make decisions about someone's property and financial affairs. Normally the attorney's powers would start once the person has lost the mental or physical capacity to manage their own affairs. An enduring power of attorney cannot be used to make medical or lifestyle decisions. More
Guardianship
Adult Guardianship gives someone the legal responsibility to make decisions for someone else, over the age of 18, who is unable to make reasonable judgements or decisions about their daily living because of an intellectual disability. More
Wills
A will allows a person to decide how their assets are to be distributed after death. It is recommended that all people over the age of eighteen years make a will. The most likely consequence of failing to have a valid will is that the assets will be distributed according to a pre-determined legal formula, as set out in the Northern Territory's laws of intestacy. Wills can be written in many ways. The Office of the Public Trustee can also assist with will writing. More
Community Justice Centre
The Community Justice Centre offers a free mediation service to assist in the resolution of disputes without legal action. More
Darwin Community Legal Service
The Darwin Community Legal Service provides a range of free services to help people with legal advice and referral. They also have an Aged and Disability Rights team. Call 8982 1111 or 1800 812 953 for more information. More
NT Legal Aid Commission
The NT Legal Aid provides a free telephone service for general legal inquiries. More complex and ongoing legal aid may be available. Call 8999 3005 or 1800 019 343 for more information. More
Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance
The Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance (the Office) provides a focus on the quality improvement of care and services to care recipients in Government subsidised aged care services. More
Financial
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
ASIC is the consumer protection regulator for financial services. In this role, ASIC protects investors, superannuants, depositors and insurance policy holders. ASIC also regulates and enforces laws that promote honesty and fairness in financial products and services, in financial markets, and in Australian companies. More
Somerville Financial Advice
The Somerville Financial Counselling Service offers information, options and advocacy for individuals and families who are experiencing financial problems. More
Physical Activity
Life Be In It
Information is provided on a diverse range of recreation, sporting and leisure pursuits conducted by other organisations, with a special focus on activities designed for Senior Territorians. More
Gyms and Fitness Centres
Many gyms and fitness centres hold special classes for older people. Many also offer a discount to Seniors Card holders.
Alice Springs Masters Games
The Masters Games is held biannually, attracting thousands of mature aged competitors from across Australia and overseas and encouraging older Australians to become involved in sport. More than 30 sports are played during Games week, with the many highlights captured by local and interstate media. More
Casuarina, Nightcliff, Parap Swimming Pools
Concessions are offered to Seniors Card holders, pensioners and students with photo IDs. A range of aqua and learn to swim classes are available. An aqualift is available at each pool to assist people with mobility restrictions to get into and out of the water. More
Palmerston Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre
Discounts for Seniors Card Holders. A range of aqua and learn to swim classes are available. More
Alice Springs Town Council Swimming Centre
Aqua classes are available for seniors. Contact 8953 4633 for more information.
Housing
Territory Housing
Public housing, provided by Territory Housing is a housing option for individuals and families who have difficulty accessing accommodation through private sector means.
Eligibility criteria for public housing is assessed by household income and asset limits. Household income is determined as the gross income of all household members aged 18 or over. Asset limits do not include personal belongings or assets that cannot be realised (e.g. superannuation which provides the primary source of income). More
Residential Aged Care
To enter a residential care service an assessment needs to be made by an Aged Care Assessment Team. There are two levels of residential care provided in Australia. These are low level (hostel) services, and high level (nursing home) services.
For further information contact:
ACAT Alice Springs 8951 6744
ACAT Darwin 8922 7392
ACAT Katherine 8973 8503
Safety
StaySafe
The website gives you practical information, suggestions and tips on how to make your home safer, how to feel more secure and how to stay healthy. More
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch NT is a very successful community based crime prevention program in the Northern Territory aimed at the protection of property and personal safety. More
Retirement Planning
Pre-retirement workshops
Retirement workshops are held jointly by Council on the Ageing and the Office of Senior Territorians. These workshops are more than just financial planning and include information about lifestyle choices and planning.
More information on retirement lifestyle decisions
Regional Information
Darwin for the Over 60s
The Darwin City Council publishes a list of various services in and around Darwin of relevance to seniors. To obtain a copy, contact the Darwin City Council on 8930 0300 for more information.
Central Australian Seniors Information
The Alice Springs Town Council publishes a list of various services in and around Alice Springs of relevance to seniors. To obtain a copy, contact the Alice Springs Town Council on 8950 0500 for more information.
Seniors Organisations & Activities in Palmerston
The Palmerston City Council publishes a list of various services in and around Palmerston of relevance to seniors. To obtain a copy, contact the Palmerston City Council on 8935 9922 for more information. More
Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the ways older people can maintain links with their community. Offer your skills, knowledge or expertise to your local community by becoming involved in local organisations. More
GoVolunteer
GoVolunteer provides you with all the information you might need to find out about volunteering and volunteer opportunities in your area. More
Volunteering Territory
You can also contact Volunteering Territory for more formal opportunities to volunteer. Call 8981 0027 for further information. More
Other
Evidence of Age cards
Are now available from the Motor Vehicle Registry. These cards replace the existing 18 Plus card. Seniors applying for the new card will need to provide sufficient evidence of identification and residency. More
Interpreting and Translating Service NT
The Interpreting and Translating Service NT provides interpreting and translation services throughout the Territory. More
Contact 1800 676 254.
Consumer Affairs
Consumer and Business Affairs (CABA) is a division of the Department of Justice, and aims to promote and regulate responsible business and industry association conduct through administration of a regulatory system that protects community interests.
The role of CABA is to informer consumers of their rights whilst assisting conflict situations through alternative dispute resolution processes. More
Last Updated: February 2009
To be reviewed: February 2010
