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.

For more information on your eligibility please refer to concession finder link and contact ConcessionsSA Hotline 1800 307 758.

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.

COVID-19 Update: The 2020-21 Cost of Living Concession will receive a once-off boost of $500, and be brought forward, for households who are receiving the Centrelink JobSeeker Payment. This measure is to assist people who are unemployed or lose their jobs as a result of COVID-19.

If you do not receive the Centrelink JobSeeker payment, your concession remains unchanged.

[Frequently asked questions](https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions-and-grants/concessions/cost-of-living-concessions/frequently-asked-questions) about this payment.

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 concession will be indexed each financial year and available to eligible applicants in addition to the current energy concession.

To be eligible, applicants must:

- live at the address on the application form

- have, or be the parent or legal guardian of, a child who has a qualifying medical condition requiring cooling or heating to prevent severe worsening of their condition

- provide certification from their medical specialist or general practitioner that the medical condition is severely worsened by hot or cold weather

- use an air conditioning unit at that address to meet their medical heating and cooling requirements

- be financially responsible for the full or part payment of the energy bill

- hold an eligible concession card or receive an eligible Centrelink payment.

For more information please call 1300 735 350 or visit their website.

If you hold a Federal Government Concession Card you may be eligible for a reduced rate on stamps and other services.

With a free Australia Post Concession account, you'll pay just 60c per stamp, instead of $1. You can buy up to 50 stamps per year, in booklets of 5 for $3. You'll even get a free booklet of 5 concession stamps to get you started.

To be eligible, you must have a:

- 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.

Applications can be submitted online via the link below or you can request a form from your school

There are different forms depending on your circumstances.

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

To be eligible you must:

- live at the property

- be listed as an account holder on your electrcity bill

- hold an eligible concession card or receive an eligible Centrelink payment

- not be living with anyone who has an income of more than $3,000 per year, unless they either:

- get an allowance from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)

- are your spouse, domestic partner or dependent.

If you live in a residential park you may be eligible for a combined concession for your water, sewerage and energy - see Residential Park Resident Concessions link.

To apply, follow the link provided to the online application form or download a copy.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, please refer to the attached concessions finder or contact Concessions SA direct.

If you have previously applied for concessions, but are not currently receiving them, please contact Concessions SA to discuss further.

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

To be eligible you must:

- own or rent your principal place of residence

- pay for water supply and/or all water usage

- hold an eligible card, receive an eligible Centrelink payment or meet low income provisions.

If you are a home owner you will need to provide your SA Water account number to concessions at the time of applying. If you live in a rental property you will need to supply SA Water with a copy of your lease and water bills received form property manager.

To apply, follow the link provided to the online application form or download a paper copy.

If you are unsure of your eligibility, please refer to the attached concessions finder or contact Concessions SA direct.

If you have previously applied for concessions, but are not currently receiving them, please contact Concessions SA to discuss.

South Australians on low or fixed incomes can access a range of concessions to help with household and other expenses.

For more information click on the link provided to find out more.

South Australian residents may be eligible to receive a remission 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.