Regional Travel Card Allowance Boosted in 2025-26 Budget
The Cook Government is delivering cost-of-living support for pensioners in regional Western Australia, with a $100 annual increase to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card.
The boost takes the annual value of the card to $775 per year from 1 July 2025, as part of a $25.7 million 2025-26 State Budget investment over four years.
The card can be used toward the cost of fuel or taxis, providing pensioners living in eligible regional areas of WA with support towards their transport needs.
The card, formerly known as the Country Age Pension Fuel Card, will assist regional pensioners to access essential government services.
To be eligible, card holders must receive means-tested pensions, such as a Centrelink Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension,or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension, Social Security Age Pension or Income Support Supplement, and live in an eligible regional location.
More information on the Regional Pensioner Travel Card is available from http://www.wa.gov.au/travelcard .
As stated by Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Our State Budget highlights that the Cook Government is working to ease cost-of-living pressures in the regions and supporting seniors to ensure they can afford to travel in their communities.
“This announcement builds on the previous $100 rise in 2024 and supports a range of the Cook Government’s cost-of-living relief measures, including household power bill credits, capped regional airfares and cheaper public transport fares.”
As stated by Aged Care and Seniors Minister Simone McGurk:
“More than 59,000 regional pensioners are set to benefit from up to $775 a year towards travel support.”
“Our government is proud to be increasing the Regional Pensioner Travel Card to ensure seniors can travel to access essential services.”
As stated by Minister Assisting the Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
“These cards play an important role in helping regional pensioners stay connected to their community.
“From 1 July, the Regional Pensioner Travel Card will provide eligible pensioners with up to $775 a year towards the cost of fuel and/or taxi travel from participating providers, offering more support for the transport needs of those who need it most.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Regional-travel-card-allowance-boost-under-2025-26-State-Budget-20250620