NSW Companion Card for carers
The NSW Government has announced its plan to introduce a NSW Companion Card.
The Companion Card will be a wallet-sized card issued to some people with a disability and bearing a photograph of the cardholder. It will identify that person as someone who requires attendant care support from a companion to participate at venues/activities.
The Companion Card will be presented when booking or purchasing a ticket only when the cardholder requires the assistance of a companion in order to access that particular venue or activity.
It is envisaged that participating (‘affiliate’) organisations will recognise the Companion Card and will issue the cardholder with a second ticket for their companion at no charge.
The NSW Companion Card proposal is in the early planning stage at present. Further announcements about the progress of introducing the scheme will be made over the coming months and it is expected to be implemented early next year.
The card has been welcomed by the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) and Carers NSW.
PDCN believes the Companion Card will provide people with physical disabilities and their carers across NSW with an answer to the problems of affordability and access, giving those with higher support needs a greater ability to participate in their community.
PDCN supports this initiative which recognises the important role of carers and also addresses the cost of disability in real terms.
