Victoria offers a wonderful array of experiences, from Melbourne's bustling arts scene to stunning regional landscapes. For Victorians living with a significant, ongoing disability, the Companion Card is a key that helps unlock these opportunities by addressing the need for support when out in the community. It ensures that if you require an essential companion, the cost of their entry doesn't become an extra hurdle.

This card is recognised across Victoria and the rest of Australia, allowing a support person to accompany you free of charge at participating venues and events when you purchase your own ticket. It fosters a sense of inclusion and enables shared experiences.

If you're a Victorian resident exploring if this card is right for you, how to navigate the application in Victoria, or where you can use it, this guide provides all the details you need to know.

What the Victorian Companion Card offers

The Companion Card program in Victoria is designed to support residents who require substantial, direct assistance from another person to participate in community activities and access various venues.

When you, as the cardholder, pay the standard admission fee at a registered affiliate business, your essential companion's entry is covered at no additional cost. This means they don't need a separate ticket to join you.

The program's foundation is fairness, aiming to ensure that the necessity of having a support person present doesn't lead to double charges, thus making community engagement more accessible and affordable.

Eligibility for a Companion Card in Victoria

To be eligible for a Victorian Companion Card, you must be a resident of Victoria and hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency. The program is specifically for individuals who are living with a disability that is both considerable in its impact and permanent in nature.

The card is intended for those who depend on the assistance of a companion to safely access and participate in most community-based activities and venues because of their disability.

The Companion Card acknowledges that even with various aids, some people consistently require personal human support to navigate community settings. To be eligible, it’s expected that this need for a companion is expected to be lifelong, and unlikely to change over time.

It's also important to understand that while the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides crucial support, its eligibility criteria are different from the Companion Card. Being an NDIS participant does not automatically qualify you for a Victorian Companion Card, as the Companion Card focuses specifically on the need for a companion for community access.

A woman with her support worker sitting on the grass.

Applying for your Victorian Companion Card

The process for obtaining a Companion Card in Victoria involves submitting an application with necessary supporting information. Here’s a general outline of what to expect:

  1. Review eligibility: Carefully consider the Victorian eligibility criteria to ensure the program aligns with your needs and circumstances.
  2. Complete the application form: You can apply for the Victorian Companion Card online or by post. To access the form, head to the Victorian Companion Card site.
  3. Compile supporting documents: Your application will need to be supported by evidence. This usually includes:
  • Health professional report: A section of the application form must be completed by a relevant registered health professional who can verify your disability, its permanence, and your lifelong need for attendant care support in community settings. They will need to provide details about how your disability impacts your participation.
  • Passport-style photographs: Two identical, recent, colour passport-sized photographs of yourself are generally required. You can take them yourself, so long as they are clear shots of your head and shoulder only, they are in colour, and they are printed on photographic paper.

4. Submit your application: Once completed, you'll need to submit your application:

  • Mail: Post the signed application form and all required documents.
    Companion Card Applications    
    G.P.O Box 4987    
    Melbourne VIC 3001
  • Online portal: Complete the process through the online portal. Note that the process has to be completed in a single session, so make sure you have all the required documents before you begin.

After you've applied: The Victorian Companion Card team will assess your application. You or your nominated health professional might be contacted if further details are needed. If your application is successful, you will receive your Companion Card by mail.

If it's not approved, you will be informed of the reason and provided with information on how to seek a review of the decision.

Where to use your Companion Card in Victoria

Your Victorian Companion Card can be used at thousands of participating businesses and organisations not only in Victoria but right across Australia.

These 'affiliate' organisations support the program by providing complimentary entry to the companion of a cardholder.

The official Victorian Companion Card website has access to two PDF documents listing all the participating venues across Victoria. There is a PDF in alphabetical order, and a second document sorted by postcode, to make it easier to locate nearby businesses.

With a vast network of participating affiliates, there are many opportunities to explore. Always make sure to mention you have a Companion Card when booking and show your card upon arrival or when purchasing your ticket.

While the complete list is much more extensive, here are some popular types of places in Victoria where the card is often welcomed:

Arts, culture, and major events

Many of Melbourne's famous theatres and arts venues, like the Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre, support the Companion Card. Cinemas, museums like the Melbourne Museum and the NGV, live music venues, and major sporting events, including AFL matches at the MCG or Marvel Stadium also participate.

Leisure and attractions

Zoos like Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, plus scenic attractions like the Puffing Billy Railway and various other regional attractions accept the card.

Pools and recreation centres

Local council and privately operated aquatic centres and recreation facilities throughout Victoria commonly support the program.

Tours and experiences

Look for participation from tour operators offering city tours, cruises on the Yarra River, or experiences in regional Victoria like the Great Ocean Road or wine regions.

Public transport

Your companion can travel free on all Public Transport Victoria (PTV) services – including metropolitan trains, trams, and buses, as well as V/Line train and coach services – when they are accompanying you, and you present your valid Companion Card. You will need to have your own valid ticket or Myki.

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A friendly tip: It's always a good practice to contact the specific venue or service ahead of your visit to confirm they accept the Companion Card and check if they have any special booking procedures.

Additional things to know about the Victorian Companion Card

  • Card Validity: Victorian Companion Cards are typically valid for five or ten years. You should be contacted with renewal information before your card expires.
  • Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Cards: If your card needs replacing, or your details change, you should contact the Victorian Companion Card program.
  • Flexibility of Companion: The card is issued to you, the person with the disability. This means you can have a different companion with you on different occasions – a family member, friend, support worker, or a Like Family Social Carer.

Contacting the Victorian Companion Card program

For specific enquiries about the Companion Card in Victoria, the program administrators can be reached via:

Like Family is here to be your companion

Ready to explore Victoria with your Companion Card? A Like Family support worker could be the perfect companion for your next adventure.

We're all about helping you connect with your community and enjoy new experiences. Our Melbourne and Victorian support workers are keen to share in the fun.

Reach out to our friendly Customer Care team at hello@likefamily.com.au or call us on 1800 545 332 to find a great match and start planning your outing!

Join Like Family today