Programs

The Cost of Living Concession helps those on low or fixed incomes with their cost of living expenses, whether that be electricity, water, gas or medical bills.

Eligibility is based on your living arrangements on 1 July. You can apply any time but applications must be submitted by 31 October to receive the concession for that financial year.

If you have previously received a Cost of Living Concession payment and your living and income arrangements have not changed, you do not need to reapply.

Assists South Australians on a fixed or low income who have a clinically verified medical condition which requires the frequent use of heating or cooling in the home to prevent the severe worsening of their condition. The energy concession is to cover both electricity and gas payments (including LPG bottled gas).

If you hold a Federal Government Concession Card you may be eligible for a reduced rate on stamps and other services. You can get 5 free stamps and 50 reduced cost stamps per year and discount on mail hold and redirection services. Are you eligible? The following Australian Federal Government concession cards are accepted as proof of eligibility for a MyPost Concession account - Pensioner Concession Card - Health Care Card (all types) - Commonwealth Seniors Health Card - Department of Veterans' Affairs Card - Veterans' Repatriation Health Card

South Australians on low or fixed incomes and Seniors Card holders may be eligible to receive a concession on public transport fares.

You can easily find out if you are eligible by going to the website and answering a few questions.

Accompanied children under five years of age travel free at all times.

The School Card scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (materials and services charges) for students attending government schools in that year.

If your school fees (materials and services charges) are less than the School Card subsidy, the scheme can also help with other educational expenses such as uniform, camp and excursion costs.

For students at non-government schools, parents are encouraged to speak directly to the school about financial assistance.

Eligible South Australians on low or fixed incomes can apply for help with the cost of energy bills for their principal place of residence.

The concession amount is indexed each financial year. For 2018-19, you may be eligible to receive up to $223.01 to cover both electricity and gas payments (including LPG bottled gas).

If you live in a residential park you may be eligible for a combined concession for your water, sewerage and energy.

Eligible South Australians on low fixed incomes can receive help with water and sewerage rates.

The water concession is calculated as up to 30% of your total water bill for a financial year. The concession amounts is indexed each financial year.

The maximum sewerage rate remission is $114 per annum. This amount is indexed each financial year. Tenants are not eligible for a concession on sewerage rates.

A range of concessions is available from South Australia Department for Human Services to help South Australians on low or fixed incomes with the cost of household and other expenses. The website offers information about each concession.

South Australian residents may be eligible to receive a remission of up to $46 per year on the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) (fixed property) for their principal place of residence.

To be eligible, applicants must:

- live at the property on 1 July of the year the levy notice is issued

- be a registered owner of the property, or be the holder of a life estate, on 1 July of the year the levy notice is issued

- hold an eligible card or receive an eligible Centrelink payment between the levy notice issue and due dates.

Residential park residents are not eligible for an ESL remission, as this charge is not normally passed on by residential park operators.

The general remission is available on only one property per person, married couple or domestic partnership and must constitute the persons’/couples’/partners’ principal place of residence. Two or more persons owning land jointly or as tenants in common (other than a married couple or a domestic partnership) are each eligible for a part remission, proportionate to his or her interest in their principal place of residence.