Programs

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.

People with a permanent and severe disability can apply for a card that enables a carer to accompany them when they use public transport. There are two different types of companion card - one only covers free travel on public transport for a companion, while the other also provides free companion access to selected venues and events.

Companion Card - When a cardholder buys a ticket for themselves at selected venues and facilities around South Australia, it permits their companion free entry to the same event. This includes travel on public transport in metropolitan Adelaide.

The Plus One FREE COMPANION card - assists people who have severe and permanent impairments which limit their ability to use public transport independently. It allows them to be accompanied by a carer who travels free of charge on all Adelaide Metro bus, train and tram services.

Before you apply

You may need help from a general practitioner, medical specialist or mobility instructor to complete the application.

You will need one passport-sized colour photograph (head and shoulders), which must be certified by a responsible person who:

- is 18 years of age

- has known the applicant for at least 12 months

- is not related to the applicant by birth or marriage

- is not in a de facto relationship with the applicant (this includes a same sex relationship)

- does not live at the applicant's address.

A personal alert system is a device that enables people to call for help in an emergency if they are unable to access or use a telephone.

ConcessionsSA offers assistance to eligible applicants for the purchasing and monitoring of the system. Rebates are paid directly to your supplier. If the total charges are more than the rebate amount, you are responsible for paying the difference directly to your supplier.

Purchasing an alert system - ConcessionsSA will pay the approved supplier up to $380 towards the purchase and installation of an approved alert system. The alert system must be installed at the applicant’s residential address and only one alert system is available per household.

Monitoring - ConcessionsSA will pay up to $200 per annum (as of 1st October 2019).

The website includes detailed eligibility criteria including Clinical, Functional and Social criteria as well as a list of approved suppliers and advice about choosing the right system for you.

People NOT eligible for the rebate

- Veterans or veterans' widows or widowers who are eligible under the DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program

- People who live independently in a retirement village where a personal alert system or similar service is included in the residence contract

- People who live in supported accommodation, such as a supported residential facility or residential aged care facility.

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.

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.

People who live in a residential or caravan park may be eligible to receive a single combined concession to help with their energy, water and sewerage bills. They may also be eligible to receive the [Cost of Living Concession](https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/financial-support/concessions/cost-of-living-concessions).

No Emergency Services Levy (fixed property) concession is payable, as this levy is not normally charged to residents of residential parks.

To be eligible you must:

- Occupy the property as your principal place of residence.

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

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

If you are unsure of your eligiblity 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.