Important information for Queensland Seniors

Queensland Seniors Council

The Queensland Seniors Council is an important forum for the exchange of information and ideas between older people and the Queensland Government. The council provides advice on the issues and concerns of older Queenslanders and this advice is used to assist the government to develop policies, programs and services that improve the lives of the state’s older people.

To contact the Queensland Seniors Council:

Telephone:

(07) 3225 8031

Promoting positive images of older people

The Department of Communities, through its Office for Seniors, organises and participates in a range of events that promote and acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older people in the community.

Seniors Week is an annual statewide event to celebrate the contribution of older people to our society and to promote healthy ageing.

The Department of Communities provides grants to local government and community groups for Seniors Week activities. For information on how your community can apply for funding:

Telephone:

(07) 3224 2625

Telephone:

1300 135 500 (toll-free)^†

Website:

www.communities.qld.gov.au/department/funding/olderpeople/

The Premier’s Awards for Queensland Seniors is an annual initiative that rewards older Queenslanders for their outstanding voluntary contributions to their local community. Nomination forms are available by:

Telephone:

(07) 3224 2625

Telephone:

1300 135 500 (toll-free)^†

Website:

www.communities.qld.gov.au/seniors/events/premiersawards/

Concessions

The Queensland Government offers concessions to holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, Repatriation Health Card – For All Conditions (Gold Card), Health Care Card or Queensland Seniors Card. Pensioner Concession Cards, Gold Cards and Health Care Cards are issued with a Commonwealth Government payment.

If you have any of the cards mentioned you might be eligible for rebates on:

• the Community Ambulance Cover levy
• council rates
• bus, train and ferry travel
• electricity costs
• car registration fees and more.

To find out about your eligibility for Commonwealth Government payments in a language other than English, contact the Centrelink Multilingual Service:

Telephone:

13 12 02 (cost of a local call)^†

They can also help with questions related to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

You can also search for Commonwealth Government eligibility information at:

Centrelink

Website:

www.centrelink.gov.au

Department of Veterans' Afairs

Website:

www.dva.gov.au/pensions/elmnet/elmnetindex.htm

To obtain a copy of the 'Concessions made easy' booklet containing further information about State Government concessions, telephone the Department of Communities’ Concessions Unit on:

Telephone:

(07) 3247 5941

Telephone:

1800 460 849 (toll-free)^†

Website:

www.communities.qld.gov.au/community/concessions/

Seniors Card

Seniors Card gives you access to:

• Queensland Government concessions
• discounts at businesses Australia-wide and
• a directory of the businesses in your area offering discounts.

Residents of Queensland can apply for a Seniors Card if they work less than 35 hours per week in paid employment and are:

• 65 years of age or older, or
• 60 to 64 years of age and hold a concession card from Centrelink or the Commonwealth Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Apply for a Seniors Card or Seniors Business Discount Card

Seniors Business Discount Card

Residents of Queensland aged 60 years or older can apply for a Seniors Business Discount Card regardless of how many hours per week of paid employment they work.

The Seniors Business Discount Card gives you access to:

• discounts at businesses Australia-wide and
• a directory of the businesses in your area offering discounts.

There are no Queensland Government concessions available with the Seniors Business Discount Card.

Apply for a Seniors Card or Seniors Business Discount Card

Seniors Cards and Seniors Business Discount Cards are free - they do not need replacing unless they are stolen, lost or damaged.

Seniors Card is a voluntary program for seniors in Queensland. You can apply for a Seniors Card or Seniors Business Discount Card by:

Telephone:

13 13 04 (toll-free)^†

Telephone:

1800 175 500 (toll-free)^†

Website:

www.communities.qld.gov.au/seniorscard/

The Seniors Card application form needs to be completed in English. If you need assistance to complete the form in English, contact:

Name:

Translating and Interpreting Service

Telephone:

13 14 50 (cost of a local call)^†

and ask to contact:

Name:

Seniors Card

Telephone:

13 13 04 (cost of a local call)^†

Telephone:

1800 175 500 (cost of a local call)^†

Useful resources

Seniors Enquiry Line provides information on social activities, concessions, legal issues, independent living, grandparenting, health, finance and retirement, learning to use computers and the internet.

Contact the Seniors Enquiry Line by:

Telephone:

1300 135 500 (cost of a local call)^†

Website:

www.seniorsenquiryline.com.au

Planning for retirement?

The Office for Seniors has produced A guide to retiring - planning your lifestyle to help you plan your retirement. The booklet is available by:

Telephone:

(07) 3224 2625

Telephone:

1300 132 654 (toll-free)^†

Website:

www.communities.qld.gov.au/seniors/publications/guide-to-retiring/

Do you know an older person who is being mistreated by someone close to them?

The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit operates a statewide telephone information, support and referral service for anyone experiencing abuse or witnessing the abuse of an older person.

Information brochures are available in 15 languages and information sessions are available for community groups. Training is also available for tertiary students and service providers within the community.

For confidential information, support and referrals:

Telephone:

1300 651 192 (cost of a local call)^†

Website:

www.eapu.com.au