Job seekers and other approved Centrelink customers

If you are a job seeker or other approved Centrelink customer, you can apply for the Transport Concession Entitlement Card. This card is proof of entitlement to concession fare travel on public transport in NSW. 

To be eligible, you must:

• live in NSW, and
• receive the maximum rate of Centrelink benefit.

You must also be either:

1. Registered as looking for work and receiving one of the following Centrelink benefits:

• JobSeeker Payment
• Youth Allowance (job seekers only)
• Parenting Payment (partnered)
• Partner Allowance
• Widow Allowance
• Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
• Farm Household Allowance

2. Or receiving one of the following Centrelink benefits:

• JobSeeker Payment (incapacitated)
• Youth Allowance (incapacitated)
• Special Benefit
• Sickness Allowance

3. Or registered for employment services and receiving one of the following Centrelink benefits:

• Partner Allowance
• Widow Allowance
• Parenting Payment (partnered)

You can apply online.

• Check eligibility before applying.
• Enter your Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) during the online application.
• Complete the online application.

Apply online

Please note:

• Your Transport Concession Entitlement Card is only valid while you remain eligible.
• If you are no longer eligible (for example, if you start employment), your transport concession – either your Concession Opal card or your concession fare linked to your credit or debit card will be cancelled. This means, you will not be able to access discounted Opal fares.
• It's free to apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
• Your card will be mailed to you within 8 to 10 working days. Until your card arrives, you'll need to pay an Adult fare.
• The card is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, as long as you remain eligible. After this, you'll need to renew online and be reassessed for eligibility. You can find the expiry date on the back of the card.
• You must carry your Transport Concession Entitlement Card (proof of entitlement) when travelling with a concession ticket, a Concession Opal card or Contactless Concession fares or you may be fined.

If you are an eligible Centrelink customer, and have a Transport Concession Entitlement Card, you can apply for a Concession Opal card.

The Concession Opal card allows you to pay reduced fares on public transport within the Opal network.

You will need:

• your Transport Concession Entitlement Card
• your Centrelink reference number (CRN)

You can now tap on and tap off public transport using your phone, watch or credit or debit card – it's faster, easier and you get the exact same fares and benefits as an Opal card.

Find out more

When using your Concession Opal card, you must carry your Transport Concession Entitlement Card as proof of entitlement. Without it, you’ll need to pay an Adult fare or you may be fined.

• A concession Sydney Airport station access fee applies when travelling to or from Sydney Airport stations with a Concession Opal card. Read more about Sydney Airport station access fees.
• Concession fares might not be available on specific services such as private ferries or event buses. Check with your local transport operator.

Eligible job seekers and those receiving approved Centrelink benefits are entitled to concessions fares on NSW TrainLink Regional trains and coaches.

Some privately owned and operated services in regional NSW may offer a range of different concession fares at their own discretion. Check with local transport operators before you travel.