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Travel Concessions for Jobseekers

Eligibility:

To be eligible, jobseekers must be:

  • NSW residents in receipt of the maximum benefit of one of the following Commonwealth programs, and registered as looking for work:
    • Youth Allowance (jobseeking)
    • Newstart Allowance
    • Parenting (Partnered)
    • Partner Allowance
    • Widow Allowance
    • Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
  • NSW residents in receipt of the maximum benefit of one of the following Commonwealth programs:
    • Sickness Allowance
    • Special Benefit
    • Newstart Allowance Incapacitated
    • Jobseeker beneficiaries placed on the Community Support Program or the Job Placement, Employment and Training scheme (for a short course)

Entitlements at a glance

Mode Operator Area LEVEL OF CONCESSION
Half fare Excursion tickets Free travel
Rail CityRail Suburban and Intercity network Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
AirportLink AirportLink stations Tick - yes
* 		Cross - no Cross - no
Light rail and Monorail Inner Sydney Cross - no Cross - no Cross - no
CountryLink All NSW routes Tick - yes
** 		Cross - no Cross - no
Great Southern Rail Sydney - Broken Hill route Tick - yes
** 		Cross - no Cross - no
Buses Government operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
Privately operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
Privately operated Rural / Regional Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
Ferries Government operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
Privately operated Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no
Privately operated Rural / Regional Tick - yes Cross - no Cross - no

Note: Concession entitlements are not available on special or premium services, charter, Special Event or tourism services. The Half Fare Concession applies to single/return tickets only, not multi-ride or periodical products.

* A concession station access fee is also payable.

** For journeys wholly within NSW only.

Proof of eligibility

Eligible Jobseekers must carry the NSW Half Fare Entitlement Card to prove their eligibility for a public transport concession.

NSW Half Fare Entitlement Card

Thumbnail image of sample of the Vision Impaired Persons Pass with link to larger copy of sample card. Click on the image to view a sample of the NSW Half Fare Entitlement Card - JPG image file.

Where to get a card/replacement card

The NSW Half Fare Entitlement Card is issued by Centrelink on behalf of the NSW Ministry of Transport.

Applications are made in person at a Centrelink Office and eligible Jobseekers will be issued with a card on the spot. Ineligible applicants will be provided with a letter explaining the reason they do not meet the eligibility criteria.

One replacement card may be issued during the three-month period of the card's validity. Replacement cards are also issued by Centrelink.

Period of validity

The card is valid for a period of 3 months. Eligible Jobseekers may then re-apply for a card at a Centrelink office.

Fees

No fees apply for the issue of card or replacement card.