DVA Gold Card Concessions WA: Full List of Benefits

Western Australia’s Gold Card concessions include free public transport, reduced vehicle registration, energy rebates, and more. But WA has a quirk that catches many veterans off guard: several household concessions — including water and council rates — are not accessible via the Gold Card alone. You need either a DVA Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or a WA-specific document called the State Concession Card (SCC).

The State Concession Card — WA’s bridge document

If you hold a DVA Gold Card but do not have a PCC, WA has created the State Concession Card (SCC) specifically for DVA card holders to access household concessions. The SCC is available to Gold Card holders embossed TPI, EDA, Dependent, War Widow, Blinded War Pensioner, or those receiving SRDP.

Apply for the SCC by calling 1800 176 888 or emailing stateconcessioncard@communities.wa.gov.au. Once you have the SCC, you can access council rates and water concessions that the Gold Card alone doesn’t unlock. Standard Gold Card holders without TPI/EDA/War Widow embossing should confirm SCC eligibility by calling the above number.

Public transport

WA’s transport concession is one of the most generous in the country. The Veterans SmartRider provides free travel at all times on all Transperth buses, trains, and ferries for Gold Card holders receiving qualifying DVA pensions. A Veterans Companion SmartRider is available for veterans who need attendant care.

For regional Transwa services, Gold Card holders receive up to two free return journeys per year plus 50% off additional trips. Apply through Transperth — forms are available online or in person at the Elizabeth Quay InfoCentre.

Vehicle registration

Council rates

The council rates rebate in WA provides up to 50% of rates (capped at approximately $750) plus 50% off the Emergency Services Levy.

Energy

The Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) provides approximately $305 per year (2025–26, confirm current amount with your retailer) for eligible concession card holders. Gold Card holders are listed as eligible for this payment. Contact Synergy (Perth metropolitan) or Horizon Power (regional WA) and advise them you hold a Gold Card to apply the EAP to your account.

Water

The Water Corporation explicitly states that the Gold Card alone does not qualify for their water concession. You need a PCC or the WA State Concession Card (SCC). For qualifying cardholders, service charge rebates are capped at $600 per year with additional usage rebates. Register through the Water Corporation website, by phone, or in person. Apply for the SCC before contacting the Water Corporation if needed.

Ambulance

St John Ambulance WA covers Gold Card holders for clinically necessary ambulance transport, with DVA paying St John directly. No separate membership is required. The WA Emergency Ambulance Cover scheme provides free emergency transport to all WA residents as an additional layer of coverage. Present your Gold Card to St John crews and contact DVA on 1800 838 372 if you receive a bill.

Spectacles

DVA-funded optical services are available to all Gold Card holders nationally: one pair of reading glasses plus one pair of distance glasses (or bifocal/multifocal/progressive) every two years. Providers bill DVA directly. The WA Spectacles Subsidy Scheme provides an additional state-level subsidy for concession card holders — contact a WA-registered optometrist to confirm eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

I have a standard Gold Card with no TPI/EDA embossing and no PCC. What can I access?

You can access the Veterans SmartRider (free public transport), the Energy Assistance Payment, and DVA’s federal optical and ambulance entitlements. For water and council rates, you need the WA State Concession Card — call 1800 176 888 to check your eligibility.

I moved to WA recently. Do I need to re-register?

Yes. Contact each WA provider separately. Also notify DVA to update your Veteran File Number with the WA state prefix if it doesn’t already reflect WA residency.

How do I get the State Concession Card?

Call 1800 176 888 or email stateconcessioncard@communities.wa.gov.au. You will need your Gold Card details and DVA file number. The SCC is issued by the WA Department of Communities and is separate from your DVA card.

The Water Corporation rejected my application because I only have a Gold Card. What do I do?

Apply for the State Concession Card first (call 1800 176 888). Once issued, re-apply to the Water Corporation with the SCC. The Gold Card alone does not satisfy the Water Corporation’s eligibility criteria.