Saving with a Seniors Card can be easy if you know where to look! Here's what you can do to access your benefits.
Not many people know that growing older in Australia is basically like joining a club. As a VIP member, you get wisdom, you get perspective, and you also get some incredible discounts and perks thanks to one important piece of plastic… your Seniors Card!
It’s great that there’s something in place to help seniors save money, especially as your financial situation tends to shift considerably after you retire.
However, many Australians over the age of 65 are missing out on these potential savings entirely, just because they have no idea these benefits or programs exist! The good news is that there are heaps of discounts and deals available exclusively for pensioners. Sure, we all know about seniors discounts in some restaurants and retailers, but there are even more perks to be found, all thanks to your age.
That’s why the team at Senior Savings has put together a handy list of the best benefits out there for Australians with a Seniors Card. We recommend our readers act now to claim their savings benefits right away!
1. Experiences, edible and otherwise!
Maybe you’re hungry, or maybe you’d love to spend a day taking your grandchildren out to see the city. Depending on your state or territory, there are genuinely THOUSANDS of discounts available, to suit any mood or situation! We’ve pulled out a few to get you started:
- McDonald’s: Your card entitles you to a free coffee/tea/soft drink with any burger or McMuffin purchase.
- Zoo: Sydney’s Taronga Zoo offers a great price for seniors ($32.50, down from $46) and Western Plains Zoo has a similarly great discount ($33.50, down from $47).
- Cricket: Discount on tickets to the International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral. Enjoy 33 per cent off tickets for a 90 minute behind-the-scenes tour of the legendary Sydney Cricket Ground.
- Hogs Breath Cafe: Hogs Breath Café outlets in Victoria including outlets in Knox, Highpoint and Geelong are offering seniors 20 per cent discounts on mains.
- Queen Victoria Market: A guided tour, with a 20 per cent discount for all seniors
2. Save more on health insurance!
Health insurance premiums will rise by a staggering 2.74% in April this year, following a series of similarly high year on year increases since 2010.
For many mature Australians, the cost of private health insurance is rising year on year, but most don’t realise that they could be paying significantly higher prices for services they will never use. Aussie battlers are having to become increasingly creative with how they save on the household budget.
Thanks to a new comparison service, there might still be one area where you can make big savings, and it’s easier than you think. The service comes as many older Australians are feeling increasingly stung by the perpetually rising cost of private health insurance in Australia.
Our hot tip:As a senior, it makes sense to choose a free comparison service like Health Insurance Comparison. They’re giving senior Aussies a fighting chance by offering you the power to compare big brand health insurance policies side by side. This could save you time and money.
Here’s How You Do It:
Step 1: Select your current life stage below.
Step 2: Once you select your preferred coverage options, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes from multiple health funds.
Choose your life stage.
I’m looking at health cover for…
3. Save more on tickets and snacks at the cinema!
Love seeing a good movie at your local cinema? Here are the top major theatre discounts for seniors. Remember, your local cinema could also offer a discount if you show your Seniors Card. All you have to do is ask!
HOYTS rewards Australians that are 60+. You can get:
- $8 movie tickets
- Complimentary tea or coffee for Morning Tea Screenings
- $4 choc tops
- $6 choc top and water bottle combo
- 10% back in HOYTS dollars to redeem on tickets or at the candy bar
- Earn 1 Qantas Point per $2 spent on tickets and treats
Terms and conditions apply. Apply to become a Hoyts member at your nearest location for more details!
Event Cinemas offers Cinebuzz for Seniors, which gives you access to:
- $11 standard tickets every day
- $10 standard tickets for sessions before 11am
- Morning Tea screenings
- Earn points towards free tickets
- Discount tours at Sydney State Theatre.
Terms and conditions apply. Apply to become a Cinebuzz member at your nearest location for more details!
4. Claim your free seniors hearing test!
As a senior, you might be living with untreated hearing loss but don’t want to wear a cumbersome hearing aid. You might not know about new hearing aids, which are completely invisible from the outside and can be worn around the clock for several months.
To find out if these hearing aids are suitable for you, click your age group below to connect with an audiologist in your area. When you use this new online service, you’ll be entitled to a free hearing test to assess your level of hearing loss.
Pensioners and people with private health insurance may be eligible for major rebates on hearing aid purchases. To improve your hearing without any hassle, book your free hearing test through Hearing Aid Finder.
75+
70-74
65-69
< 64
5. Save more off your next supermarket bill!
After using your Seniors Card discount at all of your favourite restaurants, you might need to buy some groceries. Plenty of supermarkets offer a Seniors Card discount across Australia, but keep in mind that discounts and deals may vary and can change without notice.
IGA: In some participating states, IGA offers 5% off on Seniors Discount Day, every Wednesday, All you need to do is present your valid Seniors Card to the cashier.
Woolworths: In some participating states, Woolworths offers 5% discount on storewide purchases, which could help people save an average of $200 per person on your average grocery bills.
Depending on your state or territory, many local supermarkets participate in Seniors Card benefits, offering between 5% and 30% off groceries. Check your government’s Seniors Card catalogue for more details.
6. Save on life insurance!
If you’re a senior, and are currently paying for life insurance or if you are thinking of getting a life insurance policy, this tip could help make your life insurance more affordable.
For too long, the tradeoff for life insurance has been expensive premiums and older Aussies deserve the chance to find more affordable cover.
Hot tip: Use a comparison service that has a team of life insurance specialists who can also help you if you have previously been denied cover due to pre-existing health conditions. These life insurance specialists help make life insurance a reality for older Aussies, by helping them to compare policies from 9 of Australia's leading life insurers.
Their service is a powerful tool that links older Australian customers with no knowledge of the life insurance industry, with fully underwritten cover at a price that they may find more affordable. Best of all? Their life insurance quotes are free.
Affordable life insurance for over 50? Tap your age group below to get started!
70+
7. Travel for cheap as a senior!
Every state and territory in Australia offers incredible transport benefits for Australians that hold a valid Seniors Card. For the most accurate information about your local transport situation, it’s best to check your government’s website, but here are a couple of examples:
New South Wales: If you sign up to an Opal Card with your Seniors Card, this means you’re eligible for the Gold Opal Senior/Pensioner card, which lets you enjoy all travel benefits for no more than $2.50 a day.
Even more exciting, if you’re a NSW pensioner, you can use your four free one-way travel entitlements on NSW trains without paying a booking fee.
South Australia: Seniors enjoy free Adelaide Metro public transport during off-peak periods Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays, and approximately a 50% discount on Adelaide Metro public transport services at other times.
Bonus: Don’t forget to explore our other 2 money-saving comparison tips…
The best part?
The Seniors Card scheme is free to join is not assets-tested and you are not required to disclose your income. To qualify, you must be a permanent resident, aged 60 or over and work no more than 20 hours a week.
Though we have only listed seven great deals above, the Seniors Card offers plenty more cheap goods and services from thousands of registered businesses all across Australia
So, with millions of Aussies jumping on board with these great deals, why not join them? Being a senior is almost like participating in an exclusive club, with plenty of discounts available, but only for older Aussies.
Are you currently enjoying your senior benefits?
Each state and territory has its own Seniors Card scheme. Depending on your location, you can receive discounts on a range of products and services, such as dental care, hearing aids, travel, restaurants, beauty products, and much more!
It’s important to note that in most cases, you can use your Seniors Card from one state in another state or territory when you’re travelling around. Some benefits and discounts provided by local businesses when presenting your state Seniors Card include:
Victoria
| Eligibility age | 60 |
| Work hour requirement | <35 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — 10%-30% off dental services, include dentures from almost 100 businesses
- Optical — 10% off frames and lenses from various businesses, some offer 50% off if you purchase a 2nd pair
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — 10% off hair, beauty, and spa services. Some businesses offer larger discounts on certain days of the week (such as 25% off on Wednesdays)
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and up to 20% off hearing aid purchases from various retailers (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance.If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
- Tourist Attractions — Kyabram Fauna Park – $16 entry with seniors card, Melbourne Aquarium, – Discounted entry fee for seniors, Mulberry Hill – $7 entry fee for seniors
Queensland
| Eligibility age | 65 (or 60 if applicant holds Commonwealth Concession Card, Centrelink or DVA) |
| Work hour requirement | <35 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — Up to 10% off most services, including dentures, from a variety of dentists
- Optical — 10%-20% off frames and lenses from various businesses
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — 10%-20% off hair and beauty treatments, up to 10% off some beauty products (conditions apply, such as booking ahead, and limitations on certain days of the week)
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts from 10% to $500 off various hearing aids (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance. If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
- Tourist Attractions — Hinkler Hall of Aviation – $12 entry fee with seniors card, Milne Bay Military Museum – 10% off entry fee, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park – 20% off entry and lunch (direct bookings only)
New South Wales
| Eligibility age | 60 |
| Work hour requirement | <20 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — 10%-20% off most services, including dentures, from a variety of businesses
- Optical — 10%-20% off frames and lenses from various businesses
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — 10%-20% off hair cuts, styling and makeup services (some limitations apply and are only available on certain days of the week)
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts from 10%-15% off various hearing aids (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance. If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
- Tourist Attractions — Hunter Valley Zoo – $4 off admission, Opal cave – 10% off admission, Caravan City Cowra – 25% off War Museum admission
Australian Capital Territory
| Eligibility age | 61 (every 2 years, increase by 1 year until 65 by 2025) |
| Work hour requirement | <20 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — 10%-20% off most services from a variety of businesses
- Optical — 10% off various goods and services from retailers
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — Up to 10% off hair services and treatments, up to 20% anti-age facials (limitations apply)
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts up to 10% off various hearing aids (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance. If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
- Tourist Attractions — National Dinosaur Museum – 25% off admission fee with seniors card, Cockington Green Gardens – 25% off admission fee, Telstra Tower Canberra – $3.00 off entry price for senior card holders
Tasmania
| Eligibility age | 60 |
| Work hour requirement | <20 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — 10% off most services, including dentures, from a variety of businesses
- Optical — 10%-25% off various goods and services from retailers depending on total
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — 10%-25% off hair and beauty services (some limitations apply – some businesses offer discounts on only certain days of the week)
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts up to 10% off various hearing aids, some retailers offer free trial periods (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance. If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
- Tourist Attractions — Barilla Holiday Park – 10% off mini golf, Devils@Cradle – minimum of 15% off admission with seniors card, Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs – 20% off normal admission price with seniors card
South Australia
| Eligibility age | 60 |
| Work hour requirement | <20 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — 10%-15% off most services from a variety of businesses
- Optical — 10% off frames and lenses from various businesses, some offer 50% off if you purchase a 2nd pair
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — Up to 10%-20% off hair care services and products, up to 10% off other beauty products
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts from 10%-15% off, some offer free trial periods (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance. If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
Western Australia
| Eligibility age | 62 (each year, increase by 1 year until 65) |
| Work hour requirement | <25 hours |
Benefits
- Dental — 10% off most services, including dentures, from a variety of businesses
- Optical — Up to 25% off one pair of glasses, some companies offer 20% off with no limit (you can buy 2 or more)
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — Up to 10% off beauty services and products, 20% off some nail services
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts from 10%-15% off, some offer up to $545 each hearing aid (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Tourist Attractions — Perth Observatory – 25% off Night Sky Tours, Rottnest Island Authority – 20% off tours year round, AQWA – 25% off admission price, Ngurrangga Tours – 20% off guided tours
Northern Territory
| Eligibility age | 60 |
| Work hour requirement | None |
Benefits
- Dental — 10% off most services, including dentures, from a variety of businesses
- Optical — 10%-25% off one pair of glasses ($149 minimum to receive 25% off)
- Some of the above deals can be used with your private health insurance for added savings (See #2 on our list for more info!)
- Hair and Beauty — Up to 10% off haircuts and services, 20% off some wigs, and 15% off teeth whitening products
- Hearing aids — Free hearing checks and discounts up to 10% with a max of $500 (See #6 on our list for more info!)
- Insurance — Some companies offer seniors up to 30% off home insurance, 20% off car insurance, and 10% off travel insurance. If you’re looking to potentially save on life insurance check the “bonus section” above.
- Tourist Attractions — Alice Springs Reptile Center – $15 entry fee for seniors, Banubanu Beach Retreat – 10% off for seniors, Darwin Aviation Museum – $10 off entry fee, Walk Darwin – 10% off 2 hour guided walk
There are so many discounts and benefits for every state and territory that it would be impossible for us to list them all. If you see something you’re interested in on this list, check with one of your local Seniors Card offices to receive an updated directory that has all of the deals for your area.
It’s also important to note that some shops frequently display a ‘Seniors Card Welcome’ sticker, but not every shop will advertise their senior discounts. So the best way to get a discount with your Seniors Card is to ask.
