If you care for a person with a disability, you may have heard about the Companion Card. With so many cards available offering different benefits, it’s good to simplify and clarify what this card is all about.
In this article, we’ll explore:
To start with, let’s define what the card is.
Firstly, the Companion Card is for the person accompanying someone with significant and permanent disability. It is either a physical card or a digital card that you can download to your device.
It is designed so that a carer can support a person with disability to live their life to the full, ensuring they can enjoy community events with the necessary support, without incurring too much additional personal cost.
The card offers the carer (their companion) unique benefits to be able to support the person to live life.
The card allows you (the carer of the person with disability):
What is the sticker about?
Many carers don’t realise that along with the card, you can also apply for a sticker called an Additional Companion Sticker. This means two companions can travel free with the person with disability on Victorian public transport. One with the card, and the other with the sticker. Two people can also attend a participating event for free when accompanying the person with disability.
Alternatively, if there’s just you and the person with disability, you can both receive free entry into participating events and on Victorian public transport.
To be eligible, there are certain criteria the Victorian Government requires the person to meet.
The person with disability:
Now that you know more about the card and the eligibility requirements, it’s time to get one!
Each State has its own companion program, and so in Victoria, you will apply to the Victorian Government for the card.
You can find more information about the card, including the link to apply, by going to Carers Victoria website. The card is not a Carers Victoria product. Carers Victoria supports carers with information and help to receive benefits, including this card.
Note: You (the carer/companion) will apply for the card, not the person with disability you care for.
Carers Victoria is the peak body for unpaid carers. We understand issues in the care sector, and we work with government, other peak bodies, service providers and private organisations to improve the lives of carers.
Our Statewide Carer Advisory Service gives you quick, clear, expert information, advice, and helps you link to assistance, such as understanding and applying for a Companion Card.
You can also become a free member of Carers Victoria.
The benefits of Carers Victoria membership include:
Become a free member of Carers Victoria, here.
