Asylum seekers living in South Australia can apply for concessions to help with household, transport, and some health costs.
One application form covers:
- concessions for energy and water bills
- the Cost of Living Concession
- Transport Concession Card (TCC) for:
- concession fares on public transport
- low-cost glasses at GlassesSA optometrists.
- Step 1
Check if you’re eligible
To be eligible you must either:
- have applied for protection, and have one of the following:
- hold or are applying for a Bridging visa E (BVE)
- have held a BVE but it has expired, and you don’t hold any other visa
- be receiving support from the Australian Government’s Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS recipient)
- have arrived from the Israel-Hamas or Ukraine conflict and hold a tourist or visitor visa.
Asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants who do not meet this criteria but have a Centrelink card or payment or a low income, should use the Concession Finder to check eligibility for concessions.
- have applied for protection, and have one of the following:
- Step 2
Download the application form
Download the Application for Concessions for asylum seekers (263.9 KB PDF) or phone 1800 667 110 and ask for a form to be sent to you.
- Step 3
Complete your application
Apply on your own or get help from a designated agency.
Contact a designated agency if you need support or you want them to talk to us on your behalf.
Designated agencies contact details
With a designated agency
If you receive support from a designated agency, they can help you apply.
They will confirm your visa or support status and must sign page 6 of your application form.
They will be contacted each year when your eligibility for concessions is checked again.
Without a designated agency (on your own)
You must provide documents with your form, eg:
- evidence of your BVE from the Department of Home Affairs, eg your BVE grant notice, an acknowledgement of your BVE, or protection visa application
- a copy of your passport or your driver’s licence which shows your country of residence
- details from your passport or ImmiCard.
- Step 4
Submit your application
Email your form and supporting documents to TransportConcessionCardSA@sa.gov.au
What happens next
You will receive a letter with the outcome of your application. If you applied through a designated agency they will also be notified.
Approved applicants are posted their TCC, which is valid for one year. A new card is sent every year, if you are still eligible. If you change your address, you must contact us for a new card.
You or your designated agency will be contacted after one year to confirm any changes to your visa status. Your concessions will continue for another year if you are still eligible.
What you must tell us
You or your designated agency must contact us if you:
- move house
- change energy retailers
- change bank details.
You could stop receiving concessions if you don’t tell us about changes.
How concessions are paid
Concessions for asylum seekers are the same amount and paid the same way as for other customers.
Concession amount and payment information:
Water top up payment
In July each year, provide all the water bills you received since the previous July to be assessed for the water concession top up payment.
You might need the top up payment to receive the maximum water concession.
How to use the Transport Concession Card
Public transport
Carry your TCC when travelling on a concession fare on Adelaide Metro bus, train, or tram services, or on regional bus services.
You must show your TCC on request.
Glasses
Show your TCC to an optometrist that is part of the GlassesSA program.
Designated agency contact details
| Agency | Address | Phone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Cross Australia | U5/12 Percy Court Adelaide | sainfo@redcross.org.au | 8100 4500 | redcross.org.au |
| St Vincent De Paul Society | Ozanam House 202 Franklin Street Adelaide | 8112 8700 | vinnies.org.au | |
| Life Without Barriers (SRSS applicants only) | 100 Greenhill Road Unley | justin.lehmann@lwb.org.au | 8193 9400 | lwb.org.au |
Other assistance
You may be eligible for other concessions or assistance, including:
Contact
Email: TransportConcessionCardSA@sa.gov.au
Phone: 1800 667 110
Interpreting and translating
Phone 1800 280 203 for the Interpreting and Translating Centre (ITC) to arrange an on-site or telephone interpreter, or to have a document translated.
Related information
On this site
Other websites
- Red Cross Australia
- Asylum seeker support - St Vincent De Paul Society
- Life Without Barriers
