Asylum seeker
Transport Concession Entitlement Card and Gold Opal card
If you are an asylum seeker with a Transport Concession Entitlement Card, you are entitled to concession fares on public transport in NSW. When you apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card, you can apply for a Gold Opal card at the same time.
To be eligible to apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card and Gold Opal card as an asylum seeker, you need to:
- be residing permanently in NSW; and
- be receiving aid from one of the asylum seeker support agencies recognised by Transport for NSW (listed below) and
- be applying for a bridging visa as an asylum seeker or
- currently hold a bridging visa as an asylum seeker or
- be appealing a determination of status as an asylum seeker.
Each person requires their own Transport Concession Entitlement Card. For travel inside the Opal network, each person also requires their own Gold Opal card.
Children aged three years and under travel free. All other family members are required to travel with valid tickets or Opal cards.
When you apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card, you can apply for a Gold Opal card at the same time.
Go to one of the following asylum seeker support agencies (or ‘Designated Agencies’) and ask for assistance in applying for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card and Gold Opal card:
Asylum seeker support agencies (Designated Agencies)
- Asylum Seeker Program (ASP), St Vincent De Paul Society
- Asylum Seekers Centre
- Australian Red Cross
- House of Welcome
- Jesuit Refugee Service
- Life Without Barriers
- NSW Refugee Health Service
- NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
- Serco SRSS
- Settlement Services International
To contact one of the Designated Agencies, see the complete contact details list (doc 708KB).
Note:
- You must apply through one of these Designated Agencies. The agency will help you to complete your online form, and the online applications for your eligible family members (if applicable).
- You can only complete the online application form once a Designated Agency has completed and given you a certification form (pdf 166KB) to upload with your application.
When you apply for a Transport Concession Entitlement Card, you can apply for a Gold Opal card at the same time.
How to apply
You must apply through a designated agency, and they'll help you complete your online form, and the online applications for your eligible family members (if applicable).
- Select the 'Apply online' button
- Complete the online application and upload your certification form
You will need:
- to be registered with a designated support agency
- the name and email address of the designated agency (doc 708KB)
- your completed certification form (pdf 166KB).
Please note:
- Transport Concession Entitlement Cards and Gold Opal cards can only be sent to a NSW address.
- If your application is approved you will receive a Gold Opal card and a Transport Concession Entitlement Card (for each applicant) in the post.
- Your cards will take approximately two to three weeks for to be processed and delivered.
- The cards are issued free of charge, but you need to add value to your gold Opal card to be able to travel.
- Cards are valid for 12 months. If you are still eligible, you can renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card, and your Gold Opal Card will be extended a further 12 months.
If you are still eligible, you can apply to renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card 30 days or less before its expiry date.
What you need
Before applying to renew, your designated agency must have completed a certification form (pdf 166KB) certifying that you are still eligible for a transport concession.
You will need:
- Your completed certification form (pdf 166KB)
- Your concession ID number (this is the number on the back of your card)
- Your personal details.
How to renew
- Select the ‘Renew online’ button
- Complete the online application and upload your certification form
Lost or stolen Transport Concession Entitlement Card
If your Transport Concession Entitlement card is lost or stolen, you can order a replacement online (a fee may apply).
You will need:
- Your concession ID number (this is the number on the back of your card)
- Your personal details.
How to replace
- Select the 'Replace online' button
- Complete the online application.
Please note:
- A card replacement fee may apply.
- You will need to travel with an Adult Opal card or Adult Single Trip ticket until your replacement Transport Concession Entitlement Card arrives. If you travel with a Gold Opal card without a proof of concession entitlement you can be fined.
- If the lost or stolen card is due to expire within 30 days or less, you need to renew online and be reassessed for eligibility.
Lost or stolen Gold Opal card
If your registered Gold Opal card is lost or stolen, you must apply for a replacement through your designated agency.
They will complete a certification form and submit it on your behalf.
For any remaining balance, contact us to request a balance transfer to your replacement Gold Opal card.
If you have changed your name, address, email address, phone number or title, you can update your details for your Transport Concession Entitlement Card online.
How to update your details
- Select the 'Update my details' button
- Complete the online form to update your details
The Gold Opal card for Asylum Seekers Fact Sheet (pdf 168KB) has been translated into eight languages including:
Ticket options
You must carry your Transport Concession Entitlement Card when travelling on a concession fare as proof of entitlement or you may be fined.
Privately owned and operated services may offer concessions at their own discretion. Check with local transport operators before you travel.
In the Opal network, if you are an eligible asylum seeker you are entitled to concession travel with a Gold Senior/ Pensioner Opal card.
If you do not have your Gold Opal card and proof of entitlement, you are required to pay for and travel with an Adult fare, or you may be fined.
Using an Opal card provides you with a range of travel benefits.
Find out more about Opal terms of use.
Sydney Airport station access fee
Eligible asylum seekers pay the Concession Sydney Airport station access fee when travelling with a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card to or from the airport train stations.
On regional services, eligible asylum seekers are entitled to concession fares on:
- privately-operated regular route local bus services
- all NSW TrainLink Regional services
This includes:
- $2.50 all day travel with the Regional Excursion Daily ticket on local buses.
- $2.50 all day travel with the Country Pensioner Excursion ticket for booked NSW TrainLink Regional services.
- Concession fares (including sleeping berths) when you travel on interstate train services (entitlements vary from state to state).
Concession travel entitlements for eligible asylum seekers
- To be eligible for concession travel entitlement including a Transport Concession Entitlement Card and a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card as an asylum seeker you must:
- reside permanently in NSW; and
- be receiving aid from one of the asylum seeker support agencies recognised by Transport for NSW (a Designated Agency*); and
- be applying for a bridging visa as an asylum seeker; or
- currently hold a bridging visa as an asylum seeker; or
- be appealing a determination of status as an asylum seeker.
* Refer to a list of Designated Agencies.
- A Transport Concession Entitlement Card is not a ticket for travel. A valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card entitles you to purchase concession fares on public transport within NSW.
- When travelling on Opal services, you must use your Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card issued to you by Transport for NSW to pay for your journey and carry your valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card to demonstrate your entitlement to the concession fare.
- You must carry your valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card at all times when travelling on a concession fare and produce it upon request by a bus driver, Transport Officer or Police. Failure to produce your Transport Concession Entitlement Card or valid concession ticket (including Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card) upon request may result in a fine being issued to you.
- The Transport Concession Entitlement Card and the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card are not transferable and must only be used by you. You must not allow other people to use your Transport Concession Entitlement Card and/or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card. Misuse may result in withdrawal of your concession entitlement.
- Your Transport Concession Entitlement Card is valid up to the expiry date printed on the back, subject to you continuing to meet the eligibility criteria.
- Your Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card is valid while you continue to meet the Eligibility Criteria in clause 1.
- If you still meet the eligibility criteria you can renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card and Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card before their expiry online at transportnsw.info/asylum-seekers.
- It is your responsibility to renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card and you may be fined if you travel without having a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card. If you do not renew your Transport Concession Entitlement Card before its expiry, an application for a new card can be made online at transportnsw.info/asylum-seekers.
- If your renewal application is successfully processed before the expiry date, you can continue to use your Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card for an additional 12 months.
- If you no longer meet the eligibility criteria you will no longer be entitled to concession travel, and must no longer use your Transport Concession Entitlement Card or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card.
- If your Transport Concession Entitlement Card is lost or stolen you can apply for a replacement card which will have the same expiry date as your previous card. Applications for replacement cards can be made online at transportnsw.info/asylum-seekers. A card replacement fee may apply.
- If your Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card is lost or stolen you can apply for a replacement card. If your Opal card is registered, applications for replacement cards can be made online at www.opal.com.au. A card replacement fee may apply. Contact 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) for further assistance.
- The Transport Concession Entitlement Card and/or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card remain the property of Transport for NSW and must be returned to Transport for NSW upon request.
- You must pay a full adult fare if you do not hold or are not carrying a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card. This includes if you are waiting for a replacement card or a new card.
- Further Opal Terms of Use for the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card apply and are available at www.opal.com.au/en/footer/opal-terms-of-use.
17. Privacy Notice
Transport for NSW is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information, in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW).
We collect, hold and use personal information for specific purposes relevant to our functions. Personal information you provide on this application is collected for the purpose of validating and managing your entitlement to concession travel, and for directly related purposes such as auditing, management and operational activities for concession travel.
You may choose not to provide personal or health information to Transport for NSW. However this will mean that it is not possible or practicable for us to deal with your application for concession travel.
So that we can assess and manage your application for concession travel and verify your entitlement, we will need to share the information you have provided to us with the Designated Agency named in the Certification Form. If you have also nominated the Designated Agency as your representative, we will communicate with them on your behalf about the application.
Transport for NSW will not otherwise disclose your personal or health information unless you consent, or we are permitted or required to by law.
For information about how your personal information is collected, used and disclosed by us see our Privacy Management Plan at https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/about-us/transport-privacy
For information about how your personal information is collected, used and disclosed in the Opal ticketing system, read our Opal Privacy Policy at transportnsw.info/opal-privacy-policy.
Transport for NSW will keep your information at 110 George Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150. You can ask to access or amend your personal information held by us by contacting privacy@transport.nsw.gov.au or PO Box K659 Haymarket NSW 1240.
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time. Any changes will take effect when they are published on our website: transportnsw.info/asylum-seekers