DVA Gold Card Concessions ACT: Full List of Benefits

The ACT has a concentrated veteran population and a relatively streamlined concession system — but one major concession catches many veterans off guard: the combined Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate of $800 per year is only available to veterans embossed POW, War Widow/Widower, or TPI. Standard Gold Card holders are excluded from the ACT’s largest household concession.

That said, the ACT rates rebate applies to all Gold Card holders, making it one of the more inclusive in the country for that specific concession.

Public transport

ACT transport operates on the MyWay+ system. Transport Canberra offers two tiers.

Set up a MyWay+ account at transport.act.gov.au and select DVA Gold Card as your concession type. You will need your DVA file number. Veterans who previously used MyWay should transition their account to MyWay+.

Vehicle registration and driver's licence

All Gold Card holders receive a 100% discount on vehicle registration fees for one light vehicle. CTP insurance, road safety contribution, and other statutory levies remain payable — the concession covers the registration component only. Driver’s licence fees are fully waived for all Gold Card holders.

Apply using the Concession Validation Consent form, which requires your DVA Unique Identification Number. Process through Access Canberra (13 22 81) or online via accesscanberra.act.gov.au.

Council rates — available to all Gold Card holders

The ACT rates rebate provides 50% off general rates up to $750 per year, plus up to $98 off the Fire, Police and Emergency Services Levy.

Administered by the ACT Revenue Office (02 6207 0028). Register online at revenue.act.gov.au or in person at Access Canberra.

Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate — TPI/POW/War Widow only

The ACT combines electricity, gas, and water concessions into a single Electricity, Gas and Water Rebate of $800 per year (2025–26). This is applied to electricity bills at seasonal rates, with higher rates in winter.

Since 1 July 2017, there has been no separate water concession in the ACT — the water component is incorporated into the $800 combined rebate through Icon Water’s arrangements with ActewAGL.

Spectacles

The ACT Government Spectacle Subsidy Scheme ($200 every two years) is available to PCC holders only — not Gold Card holders without a PCC. Gold Card holders should access DVA’s federal optical entitlements instead: one pair of reading glasses plus one pair of distance glasses (or bifocal/multifocal/progressive) every two years, billed directly to DVA at participating optometrists.

Ambulance

The ACT Emergency Services Agency charges $1,143 for emergency ambulance transport. DVA endorses Gold Card holders’ invoices for direct payment — you should not pay this yourself. If you receive an ACT ambulance invoice, contact DVA on 1800 838 372 and advise them of the invoice. DVA will arrange payment directly with ACT ESA.

ACT does not provide universal free ambulance to all residents (unlike Queensland and Tasmania). DVA coverage is the essential protection for Gold Card holders in the ACT.

Addressing the energy concession gap

If you hold a standard Gold Card without TPI/POW/War Widow embossing and do not qualify for the $800 rebate, contact DVA to confirm whether you hold or are eligible for a DVA PCC. Also check your Centrelink status — HCC holders may qualify for some ACT concessions not specifically tied to card embossing.

If you have ≥80 MRCA impairment points accepted, confirm with DVA whether that level triggers TPI eligibility, which would unlock the $800 rebate.

Frequently asked questions

I have a standard Gold Card with no TPI embossing. What do I qualify for in the ACT?

Free off-peak transport, free vehicle registration, the 50% rates rebate up to $750, and DVA’s federal optical and ambulance entitlements. The $800 energy/water rebate requires POW/War Widow/TPI embossing.

I work in Canberra but live in NSW. Which state's concessions apply?

Concessions are based on residency. If you live in NSW, NSW concessions apply. If you live in the ACT, ACT concessions apply regardless of where you work.

I moved to the ACT recently. Do I need to re-register?

Yes. Register your MyWay+ concession, vehicle registration exemption, and rates rebate through Access Canberra and the ACT Revenue Office separately.