Pensions and Concessions Archives

COTA Victoria responds to sharp rise in power bills

16 March 2023

COTA Victoria is very concerned by a massive rise in the Victorian Default Offer (VDO) and its potential impact on older Victorians. While the VDO is not meant to be the best available price to consumers, more needs to be done to ensure older people can access and receive the support that they need

Centrelink update for retirees

18 July 2022

Centrelink has a specialist team to support grandparent, foster and kinship carers. For those receiving Centrelink payments, you can now access your Centrelink payment summaries, which you will need to prepare your tax return.

Centrelink, retirees

Free travel 21 – 28 March

15 March 2021

Victorian Seniors and Carer Card holders can travel for free on Metro and regional public transport across Victoria from Sunday 21 March to Sunday 28 March

Free public transport, Seniors card holders, Seniors Card Travel Vouchers

Applying for a Seniors Card

14 February 2021

The Victorian Seniors Card program is a free program available to all eligible Victorians.

Pensions and concessions

The $250 Victorian Power Saving Bonus is here!

13 February 2021

The $250 Power Saving Bonus is a once-off payment available to Victorian households with at least one concession cardholder in residence. All pension types will be eligible – age pension, disability support pension, carer payment and single parenting payment.

$250 Victorian Power Saving Bonus, Victorian Energy Compare

A place for older Australians in the budget

14 September 2020

With this year’s federal budget delayed by COVID-19, COTA Australia has had time to make an extra pre-budget submission, advocating for new measures to support older Australians in the COVID-19 context.

Australian Federal Budgets, COVID-19, older Australians

Homelessness a growing issue for older Victorians

14 July 2020

High rents, difficulty finding secure employment and an inadequate age pension: these are among the reasons more older Victorians are becoming homeless.

age pension, cost of living, employment, high rent, Homes for Victorians

Seniors Card Travel Vouchers

21 October 2019

The Victorian Seniors Card is administered by our Victorian State Government. It allows free public transport travel for card holders. There are changes coming to the way this system works.

Seniors Card Travel Vouchers, Travel Vouchers

Media release: Welcome relief on pension deeming rates

15 July 2019

Council on the Ageing welcomes relief on pension deeming rates and will continue discussions with government on improving the process in future.

deeming rates, pension

Stop the suffering of unemployed older Australians

13 May 2019

The rate of Newstart is woefully inadequate, which is a big issue for older workers. COTA Australia, Benevolent Society and National Seniors recently joined forces to call for Raising the Rate of Newstart.

affordable housing, age discrimination, Federal Election, Housing and Homelessness, Newstart, older workers, Rent Assistance, rental property