Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

Aged care

My elderly mother had a fall at home last week. Every time I go to see her, there seems to be something else that she is having difficulty with. What should I do?

Contact your local government's aged services team. They will be able to advise you of local government services available that may be able to assist. If the issues are more complex the council staff can refer you to the Aged Care Assessment Services (ACAS).

The Aged Care Assessment Service makes assessments in a person's home to make sure they gain access to the care services appropriate to their needs. They are able to refer to a wide range of service providers, including Commonwealth Aged Care Packages (CACPs), Home and Community Care (HACC) Services and residential aged care options.

Do I need a referral for an Aged Care Assessment Service?

ACAS will accept referrals from any source. So you can refer yourself, be referred through a GP or any other service provider (such as a local government assessment officer).

How do I make contact with the Aged Care Assessment Service?

You can find your local Aged Care Assessment Service on the Department of Health and Ageing website.

Will I have to pay for an Aged Care Assessment Service assessment?

No. ACAS assessments are free of charge.

Back to Top

Carer assistance

Can I get help to care for my partner?

A number of organisations can offer practical help to carers such as personal care, home help or food services. You can ring Care Line 1800 242 636, or visit their website to get details of the services available to you.

How can I get a rest from caring?

Each region in Victoria has a Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre who can assist you to arrange respite care on a short, emergency or longer term basis. A Carer Support Worker can help you decide what will work and put the services in place. Contact your closest centre by ringing the National Aged Care Information Line on 1800 200 422.

My elderly mother will be living with me soon. Can I get any financial help for her care?

There are two forms of regular payment available to eligible carers through Centrelink.

Carer Allowance - a supplementary payment for people who care for an adult with a disability, severe medical condition or who is frail aged at home.

Carer Payment - a means tested income support payment for people who cannot support themselves through participation in the workforce while caring for someone with a disability, severe medical condition or who is frail aged.

For more information visit Centrelink or phone the Centrelink number for Disability, Sickness and Carers on 13 2717.

There may be other financial assistance available for specific purposes. Carers Victoria operates a Care Line 1800 242 636, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (local call cost). The Care Line worker on duty can give you more information about both payments and other financial assistance.

Back to Top

Concessions and entitlements

What are State Concessions?

State concessions are designed to improve the affordability of key services to pension card holders and low income households. Areas covered by State concessions include energy, water and sewerage, municipal rates and transport. For more information visit the Victorian Department of Human Services' Concessions Made Easy website.

How can I get a Pensioner Concession Card?

To apply for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, telephone the Centrelink Older Australians Line on 13 23 00 or visit your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Further information is available from the Centrelink website.

What does a Seniors Health Care Card entitle me to, and who can have one?

To qualify, applicants must be an Australian resident living in Australia, and have reached age pension age but do not qualify for Age Pension.

For information about Seniors Health Card visit the Centrelink website.

What is the difference between a Seniors Card and a Seniors Health Care Card?

A Seniors Health Care Card is means tested and gives access to subsidised pharmaceuticals.

The Seniors Card is a Victorian Government initiative in partnership with the private sector to encourage people who have retired or who are working part time to continue to engage with the community. It provides discounts from participating businesses and public transport concessions. Read more about the Victorian Seniors Card Program.

Are there special transport fare concessions for Victorian Seniors Card holders?

Yes, there are a number of transport fare concessions available, for full details visit the Seniors page on the Metlink website.

Back to Top

Financial information

Where can I get basic financial information?

Centrelink operates the Financial Information Service which provides independent, free and confidential services. The service can provide advice on dealing with a broad range of financial issues.

See also Your Rights.

Where can I get a free Will made?

Your nearest Community Legal Centre can provide you with advice on preparing a Will, changing the terms of a Will, challenging the terms of a Will, and Probate. They can also provide information about Powers of Attorney.

Back to Top

Health

Where can I get eye examinations and spectacles?

Free eye examinations and low-cost glasses are available for pension card holders from the Australian College of Optometry through the Victorian Eyecare Service.

Optometrists who bulk bill Medicare provide only free eye examinations. For further details see the Victorian Eyecare Service page on the department's website.

Where can I get my feet attended to?

Check:

• the Community Health Directory for your local community health centre ,
• your general practitioner or
• the listing of Podiatrists on the Australian Podiatry Association website. A fee is usually charged for these services.

When and where can I get a free flu injection?

Have the influenza vaccine in the early months of Autumn, ideally between March and May. If you have missed that period, immunisation is still worthwhile as late as August. The vaccine takes effect in about two weeks and then protects you right through the influenza season. (Also ask about the pneumococcal pneumonia immunisation).

Both of these vaccines are available from your local doctor, free to:

• everyone 65 years or older and
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50 years of age.

While the vaccines are free, you may be charged a fee for the doctor's time.

Where can I get dental assistance?

Subsidised dental treatment is available through Community Dental Clinics, some hospital dental clinics and the Royal Dental Hospital. A patient contribution is required for all adult dental services. To see what dental services you may be eligible for visit the Victorian Dental Health Service Boards website.

Back to Top

Home and community care

My mother lives in her own home but is very frail and needs help with personal care, shopping and caring for her home. Where can she go to get help?

To find out about home and community care services available in your area contact your local council. To look up your local council's contact details see Find Your Council.

Back to Top

Home maintenance and renovations

Where can I get financial assistance for home maintenance/renovations?

The Home Renovation Service conducts free home inspections and provides condition reports that include an estimate of the cost of works. The service also provides home renovation loans.

The service is funded by the Department of Human Services and available to people over 60 years of age or people who have a disability or a household caring for someone with a disability. For a free Home Safety Inspection call 1300 136 513.

The Home and Community Care Program provides assistance with home maintenance tasks necessary to maintain the security and safety of a client's home, such as the installation of ramps and rails.

Although a fee is charged, people who are unable to pay will not be denied a service. The service is eligible to people who are frail aged, people who have a disability or a household caring for someone who is frail or has a disability. Contact your local council to access the service.

My smoke detector battery needs changing. Who can do this?

Contact your local council to ask about assistance in your local area.

Back to Top

Local government

How do I contact my local council?

Find your local council to access contact information or find your council's website.

Local governments provide a range of community services that may be of use to you including the Home and Community Care services, pet registration, waste removal, and rate payments.

Back to Top

Personal alarms

What is a Personal Alert?

Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) is a personal monitoring service that responds to calls for assistance and is funded by the Victorian Government.

PAV enhances the confidence of frail, older people and people with disabilities, who are isolated and vulnerable, to live independently in their own home by providing contact 24 hours a day.

To be eligible for PAV you must be assessed by one of the designated PAV assessment agencies. For more information about assessment for the service please contact one of the following agencies:

• Mt Eliza Personal Assistance Call Service - Ph: 1800 451 300
• Your local council's aged care service

Back to Top

Senior citizens clubs

How do I join my local senior citizens club?

Senior citizens clubs operate throughout Victoria offering opportunities for social engagement, sharing of hobbies and travel with members of your community.

Contact your local government to find where the nearest Senior Citizens Club is to you.

Back to Top

Transport

How can I get low cost taxi fares?

The Multi Purpose Taxi Program provides half-price fares for eligible people with a severe, permanent disability who cannot use public transport. People must make an application, which is completed by a medical practitioner. Ph: 1800 638 802.

Back to Top

Victorian Seniors Card

Go here for more answers to frequently asked questions related to the Victorian Seniors Card program.

What is the Victorian Seniors Card, and am I eligible?

For information about this Victorian program, see Seniors Card.

Back to Top

Victorian seniors festival

When is the Victorian Seniors Festival?

The Victorian Seniors Festival is an annual celebration held during the first week of October.

Back to Top