Companion Card background and overview

The Tasmanian Companion Card is free for eligible people. The card allows for free entry to participation venues and events for an eligible person’s carer.

The card is for people with significant and permanent disability. They must have a lifelong need for high level attendant care to participate in social activities, or events where an entry free is charged.

Under anti-discrimination legislation, it is unlawful for a business to discriminate against a person with a disability. This includes if they have the need for high level support from a carer.

The Companion Card helps businesses identify who may need extra support. It also helps in meeting the requirements of anti-discrimination legislation.

Why have a Companion Card?

People with a disability have a right to equal participation in the community.

In the past, a person with a disability was paying for two submissions/tickets or booking fees to attend an event or activity. They would pay once for themselves and again for their companion.

This practice is discriminatory, because it increases the admission and/or booking price for the person with a disability.

The Companion Card was developed in response to this discrimination. People with a disability have a right to equal participation in the community.