The Western Australian Seniors Card is an identity, concession and discount card issued by the Department of Local Government and Communities of the Government of Western Australia. Currently there are more than 370,000 WA Seniors Card members.
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History
Western Australia was the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce the Seniors Card. The Hon. Kay Hallahan MLA, Minister for the Aged, stated that the Seniors Card was introduced due to requests from seniors who needed a form of identification so they could take advantage of a number of concessions offered by the private sector.
Premier Peter Dowding officially launched the Seniors Card program on 19 April 1988 at the Maylands Autumn Centre as part of the Government's Family Package.
The WA Seniors Card provides a form of identification that enables seniors to take advantage of a wide range of discounts and concessions.
The first State Government concession available on the WA Seniors Card was Transperth and Westrail Transport Concessions in 1988.
Eligibility
The current age to qualify for a WA Seniors Card is 61 years old. The requirement will then increase one year every two years, until the age requirement reaches 65 on 1 July 2023. The following table lists the required age:
Applicants must also reside permanently in Western Australia and work less than 25 hours per week, averaged out over a year.
Applicants can apply for a card online at www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au or complete an application form available at Australia Post outlets in Western Australia.
Concessions
A range of State Government concessions, rebates and benefits are available with the WA Seniors Card. The State Government provides concessions on local government rates, water service charges, spectacles, driver's licence renewal fees and fishing licences. The card is combined with a Seniors SmartRider, which offers free off-peak public transport and concession fares at all other times.
Rewards and benefits
The program also offers more than 600 exclusive business discounts to WA Seniors Card members. The discount offers can be viewed on the WA Seniors Card's website.