Hearing Services Program

What Is This Payment?

The Hearing Services Program is the Australian Government's main scheme for helping eligible people with hearing loss. It funds a hearing assessment, the fitting of hearing devices, and ongoing maintenance through approved hearing service providers across the country.

The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role, inside the Federal Health cluster. The defining feature for cardholders is that the standard pathway is largely free: a fully-subsidised hearing aid is available at no cost, with out-of-pocket cost only if you choose a premium device.

Eligibility centres on pensioners aged 21 and over and DVA cardholders, with several other eligible groups (such as some people receiving certain payments, members of the Australian Defence Force, and people referred from specific programs). The age floor of 21 reflects that younger children are covered through a separate specialist pathway.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none because the benefit is a subsidised service rather than a cash payment.

• A subsidised hearing assessment with an approved provider to determine whether you need a device.
• A fully-subsidised standard hearing aid at no cost where one is clinically needed — you only pay if you opt for a premium (top-up) device.
• An annual maintenance subsidy covering batteries, repairs and servicing for your devices.

Eligibility Conditions

The eligibility block is an all set.

1. Concession / DVA card: concession_card_type in {pensioner_concession_card, dva_gold_card}. Pensioner Concession Card holders (and their dependent partners) and DVA Gold Card holders are core eligible groups.
2. Aged 21 or over: age ≥ 21. Younger children are supported through a separate specialist hearing pathway.

Beyond the card and age gates, several other groups are eligible — for example some people on certain income support payments, serving and former Defence members, and people referred from particular programs. The common thread is access to subsidised hearing care through an approved provider.

Required fields are concession_card_type and age. The product surfaces the program to eligible cardholders because hearing loss is widely under-treated among older Australians, and many do not realise a standard hearing aid is available to them at no cost.

How To Apply

The channel is referral into the program with your concession card as the basis. You choose an approved hearing service provider and confirm your eligibility to start.

• Confirm your eligibility (for example, your Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card) and choose an approved provider.
• Have a subsidised hearing assessment to determine whether you need a device.
• If a device is needed, choose a fully-subsidised standard aid or pay a top-up for a premium device, and use the annual maintenance subsidy.

Read the official Hearing Services Program guidance

Rule-Based Scenarios

Scenario 1: pensioner's first hearing aids

A 70-year-old Pensioner Concession Card holder notices their hearing has declined. Through the program they get a subsidised assessment and a fully-subsidised standard hearing aid at no cost, plus a maintenance subsidy for batteries.

Scenario 2: choosing a premium device

An eligible cardholder wants a premium hearing aid with extra features. The program covers the standard subsidy and they pay only the top-up for the premium device.

Scenario 3: DVA Gold Card holder

A veteran with a DVA Gold Card accesses the program for a hearing assessment and devices, with their hearing care subsidised through the scheme.

Scenario 4: dependent partner

The dependent partner of a Pensioner Concession Card holder, aged over 21, accesses the program in their own right because dependent partners are an eligible group.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming hearing aids are unaffordable: a fully-subsidised standard hearing aid is available at no cost to eligible cardholders — you only pay for a premium device.
• Forgetting the maintenance subsidy: an annual maintenance subsidy covers batteries, repairs and servicing — use it rather than paying out of pocket.
• Not realising a dependent partner qualifies: the dependent partner of a Pensioner Concession Card holder can be eligible in their own right.
• Thinking it covers young children: the program's main pathway starts at 21; younger children use a separate specialist pathway.
• Delaying an assessment: untreated hearing loss has real health and social costs — a subsidised assessment is the first, low-risk step.
• Assuming only pensioners qualify: DVA cardholders and several other groups are also eligible.

Related Benefits

• Pensioner Concession Card — a core eligibility gate for the program.
• DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program — other aids and equipment for DVA cardholders.
• Health Care Card — concession access for cheaper medicines and services.
• Age Pension — single — the payment many program users also receive.
• Continence Aids Payment Scheme — help with the cost of continence products.
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card — concession access for self-funded retirees.

Frequently Asked Questions