Concession Card
Respect Older People in the Community
ACT Seniors Card
ACT Seniors related information
Affordable essential services
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get advice regarding elder abuse?
More Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a Seniors Card and how can I get a Seniors Card?
How can I give feedback on Seniors Card issues?
What groups are eligible for Seniors Grants and how do I apply?
When does the Life’s Reflections Photographic Competition open?
How do I apply for concessions?
How do I assess the Community Bus Service?
How do I find out about housing options for older people?
How do I find out about home support services?
How do I apply for a disabled parking permit?
How do I report abuse of the disabled parking permit scheme?
How do I apply to join the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme?
How do I make a complaint about Wheelchair Accessible Taxis?
Who should I talk to about observed or suspected elder abuse?
What happens if I die without leaving a Will?
What is the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (MACA) and how can I apply to be a member?
How do I give feedback to the Council?
How do I give feedback on ACT Government services?
Who is eligible for a Seniors Card and how can I get a Seniors Card?
To be eligible you must be an ACT resident aged 60 years or over who does not work more than 20 hours per week.
You can get a Seniors Card Application Form at any ACT Government Shopfront or Library, at the Dickson Motor Registry, or at the COTA ACT offices at the Hughes Community Centre.
Each of these venues will also issue you with a Seniors Card if you can provide proof of residency and proof of age.
Web: http://www.actseniorscard.org.au/ 
How can I give feedback on Seniors Card issues?
You can contact COTA ACT, which administers the Seniors Card on behalf of the ACT Government, or the Office for Ageing, which funds the scheme and determines policy issues.
COTA ACT
Phone: 6282 3777
Web: http://www.actseniorscard.org.au/contactus.php
Email: contact@cota-act.org.au
Post: COTA (ACT)
PO Box 5566
Huges ACT 2605
Office for Ageing
Phone: 6205 0749
Fax: 6207 0592
Email: communitypolicy@act.gov.au
Post: Office for Ageing
Community Services Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
What groups are eligible for Seniors Grants and how do I apply?
The annual ACT Seniors Grants and Sponsorship Program is an ACT Government initiative that provides funding to individuals, groups and organisations to develop activities and programs that support older Canberrans to maintain their wellbeing and to remain active and connected in their community.
All ACT non-for-profit individuals and community groups are eligible to apply under the Seniors Grants and Sponsorship Program for projects and events in the ACT for ACT residents. If your group is not an incorporated association you must find an incorporated association that is willing to serve as the auspicing/support organisation for your project.
Applications generally open in July each year. Please check the website for updates and application forms: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/ageing/seniors_grants
Who can enter the Life’s Reflections Photographic Competition and when does the competition open?
Life’s Reflections is a community-focussed amateur photographic competition and exhibition managed and supported by the ACT Office for Ageing on behalf of the ACT Government.
The Competition is open to all ACT residents. Photographic entries must depict at least one person over the age of 55 years which reflects the benefits of positive ageing, the importance of healthy and active lifestyles or the value of intergenerational relationships for older persons.
Prizes in past years have included gift vouchers for photographic goods, meals and accommodation.
The competition generally opens in September each year and the best of the entries are exhibited during Seniors Week (which is generally March). Please check the website for updates http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/ageing/photographic_competition
How do I find out about, and apply for, concessions?
Visit http://www.concessions.act.gov.au/
or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81
How do I access the Community Bus Service?
The ACT Regional Community Bus Services are a partnership between ACTION, the Community Services Directorate, and the Regional Community Services.
The services aim to improve the social inclusion and community participation of people who find it difficult to use regular bus services e.g. seniors and other people with mobility limitations.
Access to the service is mostly between peak hours, Monday to Friday. Each bus is wheelchair accessible with a hoist at the rear of the vehicle
Information on your local Community Bus Service can be accessed by ringing your local Regional Community Service:
- Gungahlin Regional Community Service - 6228 9200
- Belconnen Community Service - 6251 2100
- Northside Community Service - 6247 5757
- Southside Community Service - 6126 4723
- Woden Community Service - 6260 5400
- Communities@Work (Tuggeranong and Weston Creek) - 6288 4744
Web: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/community
How do I find out about housing options for older people?
By contacting:
COTA ACT
Phone: 6282 3777
Web: http://www.cota-act.org.au/housing.html
or Housing ACT (regarding public housing)
Phone: 13 DHCS (133 427).
Web: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/hcs
How do I find out about home support services?
Commonwealth Carelink Centres
1800 052 222
Web: http://www9.health.gov.au/ccsd/index.cfm
How do I apply for a disabled parking permit?
Application forms can be obtained at any ACT Government Shopfront or at the Dickson Motor Vehicle Registry; or downloaded at:
http://www.rego.act.gov.au/parking/parkingmobility.htm
Please note that the form includes a section for your doctor to sign.
How do I report abuse of the disabled parking permit scheme?
Concerns about the misuse of disabled parking permits within the ACT should be brought to the attention of the Parking Review Office within the Office for Regulatory Services, Justice and Community Safety Directorate (formerly Department of Justice and Community Safety) by phoning 6207 7099. However, the Office of Regulatory Services can only investigate where sufficient details of the suspected abuse or misuse are provided.
Web: http://www.ors.act.gov.au/parking/WebPages/parking_review.html
How do I apply to join the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme?
The Taxi Subsidy Scheme assists people who have a severe disability that prevents them using public transport for a minimum period of 6 months. The scheme provides a subsidy towards the cost of taxi transport. Travel can be by regular taxi or a wheelchair accessible taxi where required.
Applications must include a declaration by a qualified and registered Medical Practitioner or a qualified Occupational Therapist.
Application forms are available online at http://www.concessions.act.gov.au/transport#TaxiSubsidyScheme
Completed Application forms can then be mailed to:
ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme
GPO BOX 158
Canberra ACT 2601
How do I make a complaint about Wheelchair Accessible Taxis?
The Road Transport Authority is committed to ensuring that the disabled community receives equal access to taxi services. Your ongoing help is needed to identify problems with the service. If your taxi doesn't arrive on time, at all, or if you experience driver behaviour that concerns you please write to:
Road Transport
WAT Services
GPO Box 151
Civic Square ACT 2608
or
Email: taxiservices@act.gov.au
Web: http://www.tams.act.gov.au/move/public_transport/taxi_services_and_information/wheelchair
Who can I talk to about observed or suspected elder abuse?
Elder Abuse relates to any behaviour within a relationship of trust that harms an older person. It can take many forms, including financial, psychological, physical, sexual or social abuse (restricting a person’s social contact); or neglect.
The Older Persons Abuse Prevention Referral and Information Line is a confidential service available to older people, their family, friends and others who are concerned about elder abuse. This line also assists service providers who work with older people who may be experiencing, or at risk of abuse. The line operates Monday to Friday during business hours.
Phone: (02) 6205 3535 – 8.30am to 5.00pm
The service acknowledges the often complex dynamics involved in abuse, especially where a family member is involved, and focuses on helping people manage or resolve their situations.
Web: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/ageing/elder_abuse_prevention__and__assistance
What happens if I die without leaving a Will?
Your assets will be distributed according to a formula commonly referred to as the Laws of Intestacy, and not necessarily in accordance with your wishes.
For more information on Wills go to: http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/faqs
What is the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (MACA) and how do people apply?
The ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing assists the ACT Government to develop and implement positive ageing policies, in order to advance the status and interests of older people in the ACT.
To be eligible for membership you must demonstrate a commitment to positive ageing, and have a sound knowledge of the interests and concerns of older citizens in the ACT community.
Council members have a diverse range of skills, interests and experiences, and have strong connections to their community, enabling them to represent a broad range of interests.
Please check the website for updates http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/ageing/advisory_council_on_ageing
How do I give feedback to the Council?
Through the ACT Office for Ageing:
Phone: 6205 5365
Fax: 6207 0592
Email: communitypolicy@act.gov.au
Post: MACA
c/o Office for Ageing
Community Services Directorate
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
How do I give feedback on ACT Government services?
Click here:
www.contact.act.gov.au/cgi-bin/canberraconnect.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php
or phone Canberra Connect 132 281
