Carer and Companion Cards

If you’ve ever felt confused about the difference between the Companion Card and the Carer Card, then read on to find out what each card is for, who can get one, and their benefits.

The Companion Card

The Victorian Government Companion Card is issued to people with a significant, permanent disability who need lifelong attendant care to take part in community activities. The card is issued to the person with a disability, not the carer. The person can choose who accompanies them as a companion. The card offers the carer unique benefits to be able to accompany and support the person to live life.

The benefits of the Companion Card include:

  • free entry for the carer, when taking the person with disability to participating venues and events, without paying for a second ticket, such as Melbourne Zoo, AFL, participating Ticketmaster events, Village Cinemas, Arts Centre events, and more
  • free travel for you the carer on trains, trams, and buses in Victoria at ALL TIMES, Statewide, as long as you are accompanying the person with disability.

NOTE: When the person with disability requires two attendant carers to travel on public transport, the person with disability can apply for an Additional Companion Sticker. This entitles the second attendant carer to also travel free on public transport while accompanying the person with disability.

For more information or to apply for the Companion Card, follow the link telephone1800 650 611 toll-free or visit the Companion Card website.

The Carers Victoria Digital Member Card

As the peak body for unpaid carers in Victoria, Carers Victoria produces a carer card for all members. It’s called the Carers Victoria Digital Member Card. Membership is free. When you join you automatically receive instructions on how to download the digital card to your device.

The Carers Victoria Digital Member Card unlocks benefits and concessions to assist you in understanding your role better, and more.

Here’s a snapshot of the benefits:

  • invitations to free Carers Victoria workshops with our Carer Educators
  • free learning sessions, such as: Creating Your Emergency Care Plan; Services and Supports Available to Carers; Carer Support Group Facilitator Training; and more
  • access to significantly discounted Hoyts movie passes
  • opportunities to contribute to advocacy through surveys, focus groups and research
  • subscribing to our monthly newsletter, The Voice, with carer news, events and stories
  • free digital access to the Australian Carers Guide.

As you can see, the card is all about being better educated, accessing discounts and more, to support you with your carer role.

The Victorian Carer Card offer?

The Victorian Carer Card, aka We Care Card, is a Government issued card and unlocks a variety of discounts for carers in order to help them with everyday living expenses.

You can access:

  • 4c per litre savings on petrol at participating United petrol stations with the free United Fuel app
  • 5% discount on Everyday WISH gift cards – valid at Big W, Woolworths and EG Ampol fuel outlets
  • up to 5% discount on a range of e-gift cards (including JB Hi-Fi, Myer, Priceline and The Card Network)
  • 5% discount on IGA gift cards
  • 5% discount on Metcash Shop Local gift cards – valid at IGA, Mitre 10, Home Hardware, Total Tools and Thrifty Link
  • exclusive savings on Uber, such as 50% off (up to $15) on your first 5 rides followed by an ongoing 5% off. Terms and conditions apply.
  • discounts on leisure and recreation activities (like seeing a movie at a cinema)
  • free travel on public transport on weekends and half price weekdays, Statewide 
  • free travel on public transport during National Carers Week.

Discover all the businesses where your Victorian Carer Card gives you discounts, here.

How do you apply for these cards?

For the Companion Card and Sticker, you can find details to apply, here.

For the Carers Victoria Digital Membership Card, you can apply here.

For the Victorian Carer Card aka We Care Card, you can find details to apply, here.

Carers Victoria supports unpaid carers

Carers Victoria is the peak body for unpaid carers. We understand issues in the care sector, and our goal is to bring about a positive change to help carers navigate their role easier, receive benefits for the work they do, and to improve their wellbeing. We do this by working with government, other peak bodies, service providers and private organisations.

Our Statewide Carer Advisory Service gives you quick, clear, expert information and advice. It also helps you link to assistance, such as free membership to Carers Victoria and the Carers Victoria Digital Membership Card.

Become a free member of Carers Victoria, here.

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