Accept the Companion Card at your business

The Companion Card gives businesses a way to support people with disability. Learn about the benefits for your business and how to sign up.

A Companion Card is only for people who need 'attendant care' to participate in events or activities. A person who provides attendant care might help someone move, communicate, make decisions and help with personal care.

Businesses in the Companion Card program give a free companion ticket when cardholders buy a ticket.

Supporting the program can help your business to:

• show its commitment to social inclusion
• get more customers and encourage repeat customers
• meet some of its obligations under anti-discrimination laws.

Check if your business can join

Any business that charges an entry or participation fee for products and services can sign up to accept the Companion Card.

This includes:

• venues
• events
• activities
• organisations.

A business or organisation that does not directly issue tickets can also join. For example, a venue may make it a condition of use for venue hirers to accept Companion Cards.

What your businesses will agree to

To join the program, your business must agree to:

• issue a free companion ticket to cardholders
• accept a Companion Card from any Australian state or territory
• display the Companion Card logo at your business or ticketing outlet
• have your business details listed on the ACT Companion Card webpage
• follow the Companion Card terms and conditions for businesses (in the business application form).

Costs

Joining the Companion Card program is free.

Your business will cover the cost of a free companion ticket for cardholders who buy a ticket.

Sign up your business

1. Download and fill in the Companion Card business application form [PDF 237kB].
2. Return the form to ACT Companion Card Business Affiliation, Office of Disability.

After you sign up

You'll get information about extra card security features. You can use these to check cardholder information for:

• telephone bookings
• issuing tickets.

You'll also get:

• signs to show customers your business accepts the card
• your business contact details added our website to help cardholders find your venue or activity.

Card features to reduce misuse

The card is a reliable way to identify people with disability who need attendant care.

We only issue cards to people who meet the strict eligibility criteria. The card includes the cardholder's:

• name
• card number
• card expiry date
• photograph.

Cardholders must also:

• renew their cards every 5 years to confirm their ongoing eligibility.
• let us know of any changes that might affect their eligibility.

If you think a Companion Card is being misused

You can complain to the ACT Companion Card program by emailing companioncard@act.gov.au.

Contact us