Financial Resources

Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS) is a free service that can inform and educate you about financial matters.

They can provide you with helpful information about:

• how financial products work
• the risk of certain financial products
• the roles of financial professionals
• the benefit of reducing debt
• how you can increase your overall retirement income.

With this information, you will be better able to:

• increase your confidence with financial matters like investment, salary sacrifice and superannuation
• understand your own financial affairs and options
• understand financial planners and how to use their advice
• how to use credit sensibly
• save and plan for the future through investing
• plan for your retirement
• understand what happens when you move into aged care.

How to contact the Financial Information Service

If you currently receive a payment from Services Australia, you can contact them on the same number you use to call Centrelink.

If you don’t receive a payment, you can contact them on the Centrelink Older Australians line – 132 300

When asked why you’re calling, say ‘Financial Information Service’.

Depending on your circumstances, the FIS Officer may book a face to face interview for you, either online through video chat or in person at a local service centre. Our HOWSS staff can support you to access video calls with a FIS officer.

You can also join a free financial webinar with the Financial Information Service. These can be booked below.

The Aged Pension is the main income support payment for people who have reached Age Pension age.

To get this you must be all of the following:

• Age Pension age – 67 years of age or older
• under the income and assets test limits
• an Australian resident, normally for at least 10 years.

Click the button below to find out more about applying for or receiving the aged pension.

If disability prevents you from working, you may be able to get an income support payment.

Disability Support Pension is for people with a permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that either:

• stops you from working
• reduces how many hours you can work.

Mobility Allowance is to help with travel costs for work, study or looking for work if you have a disability, illness or injury that means you can’t use public transport.

JobSeeker Payment is for people who are sick or injured and can’t do their usual work or study. This payment is for people who need short-term support.

The Queensland Government provides financial information and support for seniors on the following topics:

• Seniors Financial Protection Services – Support for seniors facing major life events and financial decisions.
• Financial support – How to get urgent financial help.
• Financial advice – Information on free financial counselling services for seniors. How to find and what to expect from a good financial adviser.
• Managing your money – Learn how to manage your money and investments, how to calculate your retirement income and find lost superannuation.
• Financial help and concessions – Information on financial help and concessions available and who to contact to apply.
• Scams and fraud – Identify common scams and protect yourself from fraud.

A Seniors Card can give you access to discounts and benefits on a range of goods and services in Queensland.

You can apply for one if you:

• are 60 years or over
• work less than 20 paid hours per week
• are a permanent resident of Australia residing in Queensland.

There are three different seniors cards available:

Queensland Seniors Card

This card offers the following benefits:

• Eligibility for certain Queensland Government concessions
• Discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
• Access to the free Senior Shopper service.

Seniors Card +go

This card is for seniors who use, or plan to use, public transport in South East Queensland. It offers the same concessions and discounts as above, but also functions as a go card on Translink services:

• Eligibility for certain Queensland Government concessions
• Discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
• go card for use on public transport in South East Queensland
• Access to the free Senior Shopper service.

If you already have a Seniors Card, you can upgrade to the Seniors Card +go for free.

Seniors Business Discount Card

If you’re not eligible for the Queensland Seniors Card or Seniors Card +go, you may still be eligible for the Seniors Business Discount Card, which offers:

• Discounts on goods and services at participating outlets throughout Queensland
• Access to the free Senior Shopper service

The Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) subsidises taxi travel for people with a disability who meet the eligibility criteria.

The TSS pays half the value of a member’s taxi fare, up to a maximum of $30 per trip. There is no limit on the number of taxi journeys a member may take to attract the subsidy. The subsidy is paid to taxi drivers—members have no additional costs.

To be eligible you must be a permanent resident of Queensland and fully meet at least 1 of the following 6 eligibility criteria:

• Physical disability requiring dependence on a wheelchair for all mobility outside the home.
• Severe ambulatory problem that cannot functionally be improved and restricts walking to an extremely limited distance.
• Total loss of vision or severe permanent visual impairment (both eyes).
• Severe and uncontrollable epilepsy.
• Intellectual impairment or dementia resulting in the need to be accompanied by another person at all times for travel on public transport.
• Severe emotional and/or behaviour disorders with a level of disorganisation resulting in the need to be accompanied by another person at all times for travel on public transport.

Money Smart provides guidance, tools, tips and resources for financial wellbeing including:

• Financial counselling
• Urgent help with money (if you’re struggling or in crisis
• Save for an emergency fund
• Managing on a low income
• Problems paying your bills.