Using your Companion Card

You can use your Companion Card at participating businesses and venues, called Companion Card affiliates.

When you buy a ticket, you can use your Companion Card to get a free ticket for your companion carer.

Before you book or buy tickets

You should check venue and activity accessibility with the operator before booking tickets. Not all businesses, venues and activities that accept the Companion Card are accessible.

Some venues may accept your card even if they are not part of the Companion Card program. When you book your tickets, ask if they will accept your Companion Card.

Getting your free companion ticket

Your Companion Card will have your name and photograph. You are the only person who can use it.

You can use your Companion Card with other concession cards.

In person

1. Show your card when you buy a ticket from a participating business.
2. You will get a free companion ticket for your attendant carer. The companion ticket should not include booking fees.

By phone

1. Tell the ticket seller that you need a companion ticket.
2. Give your name, your Companion Card number and the expiry date.

If you need more than one companion to help you attend, talk to the business about this when you book. Participating businesses are only required to issue one free companion ticket to cardholders.

Your companion

A companion is any person who goes with you to give attendant care support. This type of care helps you with moving, communication, self-care or decision making.

Your companion may be a:

• paid or unpaid assistant or carer
• friend
• family member
• partner.

Your companion does not need to be the same person each time.

At the event or activity

You must show your Companion Card:

• when you collect your tickets
• during the event or activity.

If you do not have your card, you may have to pay for the companion ticket.

If you are not with your companion, they cannot use the companion ticket.

Complaints

If participating venues or activities do not accept your Companion Card or treat you unfairly, try to resolve this with their management first.

If you’re still unhappy with the service you’ve received, contact the ACT Companion Card Program.

Venue and activity accessibility

The Companion Card was not developed to compensate for venues that are not accessible.

If a venue or activity is not accessible, you should talk to the operator.

Under anti-discrimination law, venue and activity owners and operators must provide equal access to:

• goods
• services
• facilities.

Find a Companion Card venue or event

Find out where you can use your Companion Card in the ACT and interstate.

Australian Companion Card programs

Visit Companion Card websites to find participating businesses.

• NSW Companion Card
• NT Companion Card
• Queensland Companion Card
• South Australia Companion Card
• Tasmanian Companion Card
• Victorian Companion Card
• Western Australia

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