15 hours ago
Little-known Centrelink rule that could save you $800
A single mum from the Blue Mountains has shared how a simple phone call saved her more than $800 a year.
Alyce Verade, a 37-year-old mother of three, discovered she was eligible for a refund on her car registration and licence fees, thanks to a little-known benefit associated with Centrelink's Pensioner Concession Card.
Verade, who receives the Single Parenting Payment, has held a Pensioner Concession Card since December 2023, according to Yahoo Finance.
She stumbled upon this financial lifeline during a conversation with her hairdresser, who mentioned the potential for refunds.
Intrigued, Verade contacted Services NSW to verify her eligibility.
To her surprise, Verade – who has shared her story on TikTok – was informed that she qualified for a refund of her $692 car registration fee, along with a partial refund exceeding $200 for her driver's licence.
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The total refund amounted to more than $800, a significant sum for the mum-of-three, who expressed her gratitude for the unexpected windfall.
'They were so helpful. It was over and all done within 10 minutes,' Verade told Yahoo Finance.
'She asked a few questions and had to know my Centrelink number and my last transaction with Service NSW.'
For Verade, every bit of extra cash is welcome, especially when it can be directed towards her children's needs.
For others, it could provide a lifeline to help cover rent and mortgage expenses.
Based on the average $640,000 home loan and 5.5 per cent interest mortgage repayments, an $800 a year refund could provide $29,555 in savings over the life of a loan.
Homeowners would also be able to pay off their loan 16 months earlier.
For those renting, an $800 a year refund would provide around $40 in savings a week.
Centrelink's Pensioner Concession Card provides Australians with access to a variety of benefits, including cheaper medicine and bulk-billed doctor visits.
In New South Wales, eligible cardholders can enjoy additional perks such as free car registration and licences.
Service NSW confirmed that current Pensioner Concession Card holders are entitled to exemptions from registration fees, motor vehicle tax, conditional registration fees, transfer fees, and stamp duty.
The rules, however, vary across states and territories.
In Victoria, Pensioner Concession Card holders receive a 50 per cent discount on their motor vehicle registration fee.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, similar concessions are available to reduce vehicle registration costs.
