A single mother of three from the Blue Mountains, Alyce Verade, has secured a refund of more than $800 after discovering a lesser-known benefit linked to her Pensioner Concession Card. Verade, 37, receives the Single Parenting Payment and became eligible for the concession card in December 2023. She first heard about the potential refund during a conversation with her hairdresser, prompting her to call Service NSW to check her entitlements.
Verade was informed that she qualified for a full refund of her $692 car registration and a partial refund of more than $200 for her driver’s licence. The refund amount was calculated based on when she began receiving her concession card benefits. Within 10 minutes, and after answering a few questions about her Centrelink number and last Service NSW transaction, the refund process was completed. The funds will go toward expenses for her children.
Centrelink Benefits Tied to Pensioner Concession Cards
The Pensioner Concession Card, issued through Centrelink, grants access to various cost-saving benefits for eligible recipients across Australia. In New South Wales, the card provides free car registration, free driver licences, and exemptions from fees such as stamp duty, transfer fees, motor vehicle taxes, and conditional registration. These benefits are managed through Service NSW and are automatically available to those with current valid cards.
Verade’s successful refund claim is an example of how these benefits can provide significant financial relief to individuals receiving Centrelink payments. According to Service NSW, eligible cardholders are entitled to multiple waivers, and the process for accessing them is typically straightforward. All that is required is confirmation of eligibility and some basic personal information during the application or refund call.
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Concessions vary across states and territories
While NSW offers full waivers for many vehicle-related fees, other states provide similar—but not identical—benefits. In Victoria, Pensioner Concession Card holders receive a 50% discount on motor vehicle registration fees. In Queensland, the card also grants access to discounted vehicle registration, though the exact amount and conditions can differ depending on vehicle type and other criteria.
The specific rules for claiming these concessions depend on each state or territory. Eligibility is based on receiving certain Services Australia payments, which include the Single Parenting Payment, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and others. Details about eligibility and applicable benefits can be found on state service websites or through direct inquiry with government offices.
