SA concessions and rebates

Living with a chronic illness like mitochondrial disease (mito) can add extra costs and paperwork. This page lists South Australia (SA) concessions and services that may help with bills, transport, and getting to health care. Eligibility rules can change, and not everyone will be eligible.

What you may need:

proof you live in SA (for example, your address on a bill or ID)
a concession card or DVA card (for some programs)
your Centrelink CRN or DVA number
a recent bill (electricity, gas, water) or rates notice
medical evidence for some programs (for example transport or heating and cooling)
receipts and appointment letters for travel claims.

A good first step in SA

In SA, ConcessionsSA is a common “front door” for household concessions. One online form covers several household concessions.

Apply or update household concessions

Money and bills

Household concessions (one application) – apply for several SA household concessions in one place

Who it may be for: People on low or fixed incomes who meet the rules, often based on an eligible card or payment.

How to apply:

Check what you may be eligible for before you start.
Apply online, or update your details if you have changed address, retailer, or bank details.
If you cannot apply online, use the “other ways to apply” options on the page.

Official info: SA.GOV.AU apply or update household concessions

Cost of living concession – a yearly payment to help with household costs (including rates for some people)

Energy bill concessions – to help reduce electricity and gas bills

Water and sewerage rate concession – to help reduce water and sewerage charges

Emergency services levy (fixed property) remission – to reduce the emergency services levy on your home

Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme (EEPS) – emergency help if you are in crisis and at risk of electricity disconnection

Who it may be for: Households in financial crisis with an electricity debt who meet the rules. This support is usually accessed through a financial counsellor.

How to apply:

Contact a financial counsellor (or an emergency financial help service) and explain you are at risk of disconnection.
Ask if the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme is an option for your situation.
If eligible, the financial counsellor can lodge the application.

Official info: SA Government EEPS information (PDF)

Emergency help with finances – vouchers, material aid, and financial counselling when money is very tight

Housing and rent

Help paying bond and rent – support with upfront rental costs in some situations

Disability modifications in public housing – changes to a public housing home to support access and safety

Health

Medical heating and cooling concession – help with electricity costs if you need frequent heating or cooling for medical reasons

Home dialysis electricity concession – help with electricity costs for home dialysis equipment

Life support registration with your energy provider – safer outage planning if you use powered medical equipment

Who it may be for: Any household where someone relies on powered medical equipment at home.

How to apply:

Contact your electricity retailer and ask to register life support equipment.
Ask what medical confirmation form is required.
Keep written confirmation of your registration and review it if you change retailer.

Official info: SA Power Networks life support customers and registration

GlassesSA – lower-cost glasses and contact lenses through participating providers

Ambulance cover in South Australia – helps avoid large ambulance bills

Who it may be for: People who live in SA. Discounts may apply if you have an eligible pensioner concession card. Some people may also be eligible for a concession on fees if they held a valid SA Pension Concession Card at the time of the ambulance service.

How to apply:

Check what ambulance cover options exist (single, family, and cover types).
Choose the option that fits your household and where you travel.
Sign up online or use the paper form if you prefer.

Official info: SA Ambulance Service ambulance cover

Travel

Taxi fare subsidy (SATSS) – lower taxi costs if you cannot use public transport safely

Public transport Plus one free companion card – free travel for a carer on Adelaide Metro when you need support

Mobility pass – free travel if you cannot validate a metroCARD due to impairment

Vision-impaired travel pass – free Adelaide Metro travel if you meet vision criteria

Disability parking permit – access accessible parking and extra time in timed areas

Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS) – help with travel and accommodation for specialist care far from home

Who it may be for: People who need to travel more than 100 km each way for approved specialist services not available locally. Rules apply, including for escorts.

How to apply:

Check eligibility before you travel.
Keep appointment letters and receipts, as claims are evidence-based.
Submit your claim online (or use forms if needed) within the required time limits.

Official info: SA Health PATS (patient travel)

Essential services

Personal Alert AssistanceSA (PAASA) – help with the cost of a personal alarm for safety at home

Priority assistance for landlines – faster repairs if a working landline is medically essential

Power dependency planning – make a plan for long or unplanned power outages

Cheaper postage (MyPost Concession) – lower postage costs

Carers and companions

Carers SA – support, counselling and practical help for carers in South Australia

Who it may be for: People who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend living with disability, chronic illness, mental illness, or age-related needs. Eligibility rules apply to some services.

How to apply:

Contact Carers SA to talk about your situation and what support might help.
Complete an intake so they can match you to services.
Ask about counselling, peer support, education, and short-term help options.

Official info: Carers SA support and services

Companion Card – a second ticket for a companion at participating venues

Who it may be for: People with significant and permanent disability who need ongoing attendant care support to take part in community activities. Rules apply.

How to apply:

Check eligibility and what evidence is needed.
Complete the online application or use other application options listed.
Keep a copy of your application and supporting documents.

Official info: SA.GOV.AU apply for a Companion Card

School and learning

Students with disability transport assistance – support for travel to eligible disability education options

Who it may be for: Some students with disability who meet Department for Education eligibility rules. This support is targeted and does not replace the family’s role in getting a child to school.

How to apply:

Talk with your school about whether your child may be eligible for transport assistance.
Complete the Department for Education application form with the school (and any required health professional sections).
Submit the form as instructed and ask what happens next and expected timeframes.

Official info: Department for Education application for transport assistance (PDF)

Other local supports

Local council support – rates help, payment plans, and other local supports (varies by council)

Health and community service complaints (HCSCC) – free, independent complaints support in SA

Who it may be for: People with concerns about a health or community service provided in South Australia.

How to apply:

If you can, raise the issue with the provider first.
If you are not satisfied, contact the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC) for advice or to lodge a complaint.
You can ask a trusted person to help you make a complaint.

Official info: HCSCC raise a complaint

Tips for making applications easier

Break tasks into small steps and spread them over time.
Keep one folder for cards, letters, and receipts.
Ask for accessible formats if you need them.
Write a short script before phone calls if brain fog or fatigue makes calls hard.
Choose a time of day that usually works better for you, if you can.
A one-page summary of key details can help if you need to repeat your story.

Admin like this can take a lot of energy. Some people pause and come back later. You could also ask someone you trust to sit with you while you make one call or complete one section of a form.

National payments and supports

Want to learn what’s available across Australia? These national supports can be a good place to start. They include payments, concession cards, and help with health costs. Many concessions also use these cards as proof.

Government Payments

For more information about payments, concession cards, and eligibility.

Government Support

A starting point for national support. Covers common services, with trusted links.

Contact and feedback

If you notice something missing or outdated on this page, please tell us.

Contact us

Call Mito Foundation's Helpline for more information or assistance on

1300 977 180

Please note the Helpline is available Monday to Friday, excluding NSW public holidays.

Submit your Helpline request online

Immediate support

If you or someone you know needs emergency assistance, please call emergency services on

000

Mental health support

This page shares information and resources to help you find mental health support that works for you.

Access mental health support

Disclaimer: Resources provided by the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Limited (Mito Foundation), offers general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. It is essential to assess the suitability of the content for your individual circumstances and make decisions based on your medical condition. The information’s accuracy is subject to change, and we do not guarantee ongoing currency or availability. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Mito Foundation is not obligated to provide updated information. The copyright for this document and its content belongs to, or is licensed to, Mito Foundation, and reproduction without prior written consent is prohibited.

Author(s): Mito Foundation
Version: 1.2
Date published: 29 January 2026

Help with rates, utilities, transport and permits

A good first step in SA

Money and bills

Housing and rent

Health

Travel

Essential services

Carers and companions

School and learning

Other local supports

Tips for making applications easier

National payments and supports

Government Payments

Government Support

Contact and feedback

Contact us

Immediate support

Mental health support

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4. On a scale from 0 to 5 (where 0 is very poor access to the services you need, and 5 is you have access to the services you feel you need), how would you rate your access to services:

SA concessions and rebates

Help with rates, utilities, transport and permits

A good first step in SA

Money and bills

Housing and rent

Health

Travel

Essential services

Carers and companions

School and learning

Other local supports

Tips for making applications easier

National payments and supports

Government Payments

Government Support

Contact and feedback

Contact us

Immediate support

Mental health support

Send us feedback about this resource

1. On a scale from 0 to 5 (where 0 is very poor knowledge, and 5 is all the knowledge you feel you need), how would you rate your knowledge?

2. On a scale from 0 to 5 (where 0 is very poor confidence and 5 is all the confidence you feel you need), how would you rate your confidence?

3. On a scale from 0 to 5 (where 0 is very poor wellbeing, and 5 is what you feel your wellbeing should be), how would you rate your wellbeing?

4. On a scale from 0 to 5 (where 0 is very poor access to the services you need, and 5 is you have access to the services you feel you need), how would you rate your access to services: