Changes to NT pensioner and carer concession scheme

The Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme (NTPCCS) is funded by the Northern Territory government to provide a range of concessions to senior citizens, pensioners and carers who are permanent residents of the Northern Territory.

Posted July 13th 2009

by Ben Rogerson

The NTPCCS is managed by the Aged and Disability Program in the Department of Health and Families. The two main objectives of the scheme are:

To provide an incentive for Territory senior citizens women 60 years and over and men 65 years and over to remain in the Territory during their retirement.
To assist all pensioners and carers generally, and certain categories of low income earners with the cost of living in the Territory.

The NTPCCS provides subsidies and rebates to eligible members for urban bus travel, motor vehicle registration, driver’s licences, council rates, water, sewerage, power, garbage charges and spectacles.

Interstate or overseas travel concessions are available for seniors (women 60 years and over and men 65 years and over), totally and permanently incapacitated veterans, and aged war veterans. This is a 50% concession on a standard economy airfare available every two years.

The increased power, water and sewerage tariffs that were announced in April 2009, effective from 1 July 2009, will be covered for members of the NTPCCS by increased concessions. This will ensure that no member of the NTPCCS will be disadvantaged as a result of the increased tariffs.

Other recent changes to the NTPCCS include:

Free travel on the Territory public bus network for all seniors, pensioners and carers from 1 January 2009.
Free Driver’s Licences from 1 July 2009.
Motor Vehicle Registration concessions will increase to $154 for 12 months or $77 for 6 months for eligible members from 1 July 2009.

Further details on NTPCCS on free-call 1800 421 887 or email PensionConcessionUnit@nt.gov.au