Allowances and Benefits
Disability Support Pension or Carers Pension
Contact your local Centrelink Office
Mobility Allowance
Available to people over 16 years of age who are mostly unable to use Public Transport, and who are involved for more than 8 hours a week in paid employment, voluntary work and/or vocational training. Claim forms are available at Centrelink Offices.
Social Security Cards
A Pensioner Concession Card is issued to people who receive a pension. A Health Care Card goes to people who receive a Mobility Allowance or a Child Disability Allowance.
GST Exemption on Cars
It is possible to gain a GST exemption when buying a new or second hand car if you are in paid employment. It is also possible to claim a GST exemption for car repair parts.
For information contact the Taxation Department on:
Phone: 132 866 and choose the GST voice recorded option or
Website: www.ato.gov.au
Stamp Duty exemption for Car Purchases
If you have a disability and require car modifications, you are able to receive a refund from the State Revenue Office for the cost of Stamp Duty on the purchase of a car or for modifications on a car, whichever is the lesser amount. You must fill in a Stat Dec form, obtainable from the Department.
Phone: 03 9628 6839 (and supply receipts for modification work completed)
Veteran's Affairs
A range of benefits are available for people whose disability is due to service in the armed forces. See brochures in the Independence Australia library or contact the State Office of the Veterans Affairs on:
Phone 03 9284 6000 or
Website: www.dva.gov.au
Concession on Car Registration
If you have a Health Care Card, you are entitled to a concession fee for your car registration. Check the fine print on the registration form or contact Vicroads on:
Phone: 13 11 71 or
Website: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (formerly PADP)
This scheme provides full or partial funding subsidies for equipment, aids and home modifications. For example: ramps, bathroom equipment, pressure cushions. To qualify, you need to be a child or adult with a condition resulting from a permanent disability or frail aged, not receiving any form of compensation, not living in a nursing home, not receiving aids and equipment through other Government funded programs or compensation schemes. A range of equipment is covered, including wheelchairs and minor home alterations. VAEP centres are usually located in designated hospitals in your area. See brochures in Independence Australia's library or call the DHS Information Line:
Phone: 1800 783 783 to find the location of your local VAEP office or check: Website: www.dhs.vic.gov.au
If you require the help of an interpreter, phone: 13 14 50.
CAAS (Continence Aids Assistance Scheme)
This is for people who have permanent loss of bladder and or bowel function (that is incontinence) due directly to a permanent urological condition (such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease) or a permanent and severe intellectual impairment. To qualify you must be at least 16 years of age but not yet 65 years of age, or age 65 years and over and working paid employment at least 8 hours per week.
For more information on CAAS phone Intouch (A division of PQ Lifestyles Limited) on 1300 366 455.
Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service
This service offers help with employment, training, physiotherapy, counselling, stress management, pain management and independent living programs to people with disabilities being rehabilitated into the work force. It may be able to help with transport and accommodation or aids and alterations to your home or workplace. To be eligible, you should be between 14 and 65 years of age and have a disability, which prevents you from living as independently as you would like. There are local offices across Victoria. There is a central office for people with spinal cord injury and similar disabilities:
Phone: 03 8661 7111 or Free call: 1800 634 824 (country callers). Website: www.crsauatralia.gov.au
