WA Companion Card

What Is This Payment?

The Companion Card recognises that some people with a significant, permanent disability cannot attend a venue or event without a carer, and that charging for two tickets effectively doubles the cost of participating in community life.

The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with an eligibility_enabler result role - it is a card that unlocks a free companion ticket rather than calculating a cash figure. It is an affiliate scheme: participating businesses agree to issue the cardholder's companion a second ticket free.

The card is free to obtain, has no income or assets test, and is held on an ongoing basis. It is also recognised by Companion Card affiliates in other states and territories.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. The card produces no cash payment; its value is the waived companion ticket.

• A free companion ticket for your carer at participating venues, events, and activities.
• No income or assets test, and the card is free to obtain.
• Recognised interstate, so it also works with affiliates in other states and territories.

Because it waives a ticket rather than paying money, the card is Group B; its value is avoiding paying twice every time you need support to attend.

Eligibility Conditions

The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition below must be met.

1. Western Australian resident: state = WA. The card is issued by the WA Department of Communities.
2. Significant, permanent disability: permanent_disability = true. The disability must be lifelong rather than temporary.
3. Lifelong need for attendant care: lifelong_need_for_attendant_care = true. You must need a companion to participate, not just occasional help.

The assessment focuses on the lifelong need for attendant care to take part in the community, not on income, so there is no means test. You will need medical evidence of your disability and care needs to support the application.

Once you hold the card, it is only useful when you present it at participating venues, so the product surfaces it to eligible Western Australians and points you to the affiliate program.

How To Apply

The channel recorded is online, with medical evidence of disability required.

• Apply online through the Department of Communities with supporting evidence from a health professional.
• Once issued, present the card when booking to claim your companion's free ticket.
• Check that a venue or event is a participating affiliate before you book.

Read the official WA Companion Card guidance

Rule-Based Scenarios

Scenario 1: a concert with a support worker

Priya has a significant, permanent disability and needs a support worker to attend events. She books two tickets to a concert at a participating venue and her companion's ticket is issued free, halving the cost of going.

Scenario 2: interstate travel

Because the scheme is recognised interstate, Jack uses his WA Companion Card at a participating attraction while visiting family in another state, and his carer's entry is waived.

Scenario 3: forgetting to present the card

Olivia books tickets to a football match but does not flag her Companion Card at the time of booking and is charged for two seats. The free companion ticket must be claimed when booking.

Scenario 4: a venue that is not an affiliate

When Mason visits a small attraction that is not a Companion Card affiliate, the free ticket does not apply, so checking the venue beforehand matters.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming it is a cash payment: the Companion Card waives the carer's ticket; it does not pay any money.
• Not checking the venue is an affiliate: the free companion ticket only applies at participating venues, so check before booking.
• Thinking there is an income test: there is none - eligibility turns on a significant, permanent disability and a lifelong need for attendant care.
• Leaving the card at home: you must present the card when booking to claim the companion ticket.
• Confusing it with a carer payment: the card is about venue access, not income support for carers.
• Assuming it only works in WA: the scheme is recognised interstate at participating affiliates.

Related Benefits

• WA ACROD Parking Permit - accessible parking for people with disability.
• WA Passenger Transport Subsidy - taxi help for people with severe disability.
• WA Home Haemodialysis Subsidy - help with running costs for home dialysis.
• Carer Allowance - a federal supplement for carers.
• Disability Support Pension - federal income support for long-term incapacity.
• Mobility Allowance - federal help with transport for people who cannot use public transport.

Frequently Asked Questions