If you’re a carer and feeling unsure about the many different assistance cards available, this guide will help you understand what each card is for and the benefits they offer.
When you join Carers Victoria, you’ll receive either a digital card with your member ID. This ID is specifically for use accessing services and benefits through Carers Victoria.
Membership is free and open to carers, former carers, supporters and Carer Support Groups.
Benefits include:
Issued by: Carers Victoria
Join at: carersvictoria.org.au/about-us/our-membership or call 1800 514 845
The Victorian Government Carer Card, also called the We Care card, recognises the important work unpaid carers and foster/kinship carers do in the community.
You’re eligible if you are:
Benefits include:
Issued by: Victorian State Government
More info: Visit www.carercard.vic.gov.au or call 1800 901 958
The Victorian Companion Card supports people with a significant, permanent disability who need lifelong attendant care to take part in community activities.
It allows a companion (which can be a carer, parent, friends or paid support worker) to attend events and activities for free. This includes public transport, cinemas, gyms, swimming pools, sports events and more.
The card is issued to the person with a disability, not the carer. The person can choose who accompanies them as a companion.
To be eligible in Victoria, the person must:
More info: Visit www.companioncard.vic.gov.au or call 1800 650 611
The National Assistance Card is a personalised card to assist people with disabilities to navigate their communities with greater confidence and ease.
The card is currently available to people with a brain injury and those with autism.
The card can be used in everyday or emergency situations where a cardholder needs assistance or support.
The National Assistance Card can:
Issued by: Brain Injury Association of Tasmania (for national use), funded by The Australian Government Department of Social Services.
More info: Visit www.nationalassistancecard.com.au or call 1300 680 045
Caring for someone?
You’re not alone.