NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme

 image: "Pensioner and Carer Concession Card" Overview

In 1979 the Northern Territory Government introduced the Northern Territory Pensioner Concession Scheme to encourage retirees to remain in the Northern Territory.

The aim of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to Northern Territory residents who are classified as eligible persons under the Scheme ie. They belong to the specified categories of people who, because of age, pensioner or carer status, are entitled to claim Northern Territory concessions.

The two main objectives of the scheme are:

• To provide an incentive for NT Senior Citizens women 60 years and over & men 65 years and over to remain in the Territory during their retirement.
• To assist all Pensioners and Carers generally, and certain categories of low income earners with the cost of living in the Northern Territory.

Changes to Benefits - 2009

Download Factsheet: Changes to the NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme as of 1 July 2009 (Adobe PDF document - 32KB)

From 1 January 2009 all seniors, pensioners and carers travel free on the Northern Territory public bus network.  Increased subsidies for motor vehicle registration will be introduced on 1 July 2009.  As at April 2009, the number of concessions granted during 2008/09 for motor vehicle registrations was 10,827.  This will see the concession increase from $104 to $154.

Free driver's license renewals will also be introduced on 1 July 2009.  As at April 2009, the number of concessions granted during 2008/09 for driver's licence renewals was 2267.

The increased power, water and sewerage tariffs that were announced in April 2009, effective from 1 July 2009, will be covered for members of the NTPCCS by increased concessions.  This will ensure that no member of the NTPCCS will be disadvantaged as a result of the increased tariffs.  Additional to the increased concessions, the 50% maximum cap on power accounts has also been removed which will assist members further.

For further information please call 1800 421 887.

Concession scheme categories

Carers

Carers who are permanent residents of the NT and are in receipt of the Commonwealth Carer's Allowance from Centrelink.

Senior Citizens

Senior citizens (females 60 years and over and men 65 years and over), who are permanent residents. Senior Citizens in gainful employment are still eligible to apply.

Non-Pensioner Aged War Service Veterans

Non-Pensioner Aged War Service Veterans (females 55 years and over and men 60 years and over), who are permanent residents.

Pensioners

All Pensioners of all ages, who are permanent residents of the NT and hold a current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Pension Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (only accepted if stamped TPI).

Low-Income Superannuants

Low-Income Superannuants (females under the age of 60 years and men under the age of 65 years) that are:

• permanent residents of the Northern Territory and
• are in receipt of a regular life-long superannuation pension from a complying Superannuation Scheme or Fund and
• have been assessed by Centrelink and issued with a Commonwealth Health Care Card.

Available concessions

There are ten services or items that attract concessions with most having an upper limit on the maximum concession available.

1. Electricity/Alternate Energy
2. Local Council Property rates
3. Water Rates
4. Sewerage Rates
5. Garbage Charges
6. Motor Vehicle Registration
7. Drivers Licence
8. Spectacles
9. Public Transport
10. Interstate/Overseas Travel - restricted to Senior Citizens, Aged Pensioners, Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans, and Aged War Service Veterans. (These cardholders are able to use their travel entitlements to bring a friend or family member living interstate or overseas to visit them in the Northern Territory.)

NB: Concessions 2,3,4 and 5 are only available to members who own or are purchasing the property they reside in.

NB: Concession 10 is only available, under specified conditions, to:

• Women aged 60 years and over
• Men aged 65 years and over
• Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans of any age
• Female War Service Veterans aged 55 years and over
• Male War Service Veterans aged 60 years and over

How to apply

Applications to join the Scheme are available from the Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Unit. To find out how to obtain the forms, please phone 1800 421 887 (cost of a local call) or download from below.

Please consult the NT Pensioner and Carer Concession Unit for eligibility to concessions, before submitting any forms.

Information guidelines and booklets

• Pensioner and Carer Consession Scheme information booklet (Adobe PDF document - 1939KB)
• Information Sheet for Reimbursement for Travel by Non Member (Adobe PDF document - 76KB)
• Travel Information booklet (Adobe PDF document - 2673KB)

Application forms

• Pensioner Consession Card Application Form.pdf (Adobe PDF document - 321KB)

To accompany your application, you are requested to submit the following documents:

• Proof of permanent NT residency (2 documents, such as your NT Drivers Licence, Rates or Electricity Bill required)
• Relevant Centerlink documentation showing proof of Centrelink Reference Number and/or a current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Pension Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (only accepted if stamped TPI)
• If a Senior Citizen, Pensioner and Non-Pensioner Aged War Service Veteran proof of age is required.

Applications can be submitted by post to:

Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme
NT Department of Health and Community Services
PO Box 40596, CASUARINA  NT  0811