Apply for a Companion Card
Get free entry for your attendant care support at participating events and venues. Check if you can apply for a card or replace your card if you need a new one.
Check if you can get a Companion Card
If you need attendant care to participate in events or activities, you might be able to get a Companion Card.
Attendant care includes help with mobility, communication, self-care or decision making.
There is no income or asset test for a Companion Card.
You can apply for a Companion Card if you meet all of the following:
- you are a permanent resident of Australia and live in the ACT
- you have a significant and permanent disability
- you can prove you need attendant care support to help you take part in most activities
- you can prove your need for this support is life-long.
These conditions also apply to children. A child can only get a companion card if they need a companion for their disability (not due to age alone).
When you cannot get a Companion Card
The Companion Card is not for every person with disability.
You cannot get one if:
- you may become independent in the future because of treatment or management, training, recovery or developmental improvements
- you are affected by the inaccessibility of a particular venue
- you choose to have a companion for social support, reassurance or encouragement
- you choose to have a companion rather than use aids, equipment or other ways to access a venue or activity.
Episodic conditions
If you have an episodic condition (for example, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or schizophrenia), you must include information in your application about:
- the frequency and impact of episodes
- why you need attendant care support.
Apply for an ACT Companion Card
To apply for a Companion Card, you (or your representative) must:
- Download and fill in the ACT Companion Card application form [PDF 394kB].
- Get a health professional to:
- confirm you need life-long attendant care support to participate at most community venues and activities
- sign 2 recent passport sized photos of you.
- Mail your application to Access Canberra, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.
After you apply
We will read your application and check you meet the 4 criteria for a Companion Card.
We may contact you and your health professional to check your information.
It will take about 20 working days to process your application.
If your application is approved
You’ll get a letter with your ACT Companion Card.
If your application is not approved
You can call or email the ACT Companion Card program to talk to us about the decision.
If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, you can ask us to:
- review your application
- consider new information you have.
If you need help to get the decision reviewed, you can contact the ACT Companion Card Program.
To get your application reviewed:
- Get a health professional to sign any new or extra information that shows you should get a Companion Card. This does not have to be the same health professional who signed your first application.
- Send the new information to: ACT Companion Card application, Access Canberra, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.
Renew or replace your card
Find out how to renew your card, update your contact details, or replace a lost or stolen card.
Renewing your card
Your ACT Companion Card is printed with an expiry date and lasts 5 years.
You'll get a renewal form in the mail 6 weeks before your card expires.
If you do not get a renewal form, you can also download and fill in the Companion Card renewal form [Word 356KB].
If your contact details change
Email your new contact details to us. We'll update your details. You don’t need to get a new card.
Get a replacement card
You can get a replacement card if:
- your card is lost, stolen or damaged
- you have changed your name.
- you need to update your photograph.
To get a replacement card, contact us. We will send you a renewal form.
Moving interstate
You can get a new card from the Companion Card program in your state or territory.
Contact us
Email
ACTCompanionCard@act.gov.au
Post
ACT Companion Card Program
Access Canberra
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601