I've spoken to Aussies while traveling - and I don't know if this is specific to NSW - but the benefits for train travel and other things sounded amazing for older citizens.
It would be great if you could share some of them with the group.
Oh - and Welcome!
Well, last of the Boomers
(so am I, actually) each state has their own way of compensating aged and disabled pensioners in Australia. As I live in Queensland, I am only knowledgeable about our arrangements.
Pension Card holders receive discounts on public transport; entry to attractions and events; free treatment at public hospitals and the GP (the same as any Australian citizen); discounted medications; and around 10% off local government rates, electricity bills, and motor vehicle registration.
Australia has a very good public health system but our federal government has been offering rebates through the income tax system for about 20 years or more, to encourage people to take it out. More younger people have private health cover now, than when I was of a similar age.
As my husband and I don't have private health cover we have paid upfront for minor procedures, but it is not necessary. Our hospitals are very good and public patients receive the best of care and are often treated by the same doctor in the same ward as private patients. My husband I have each been hospitalized as public patients in a Brisbane hospital and we can't fault the experience.
His most recent hospitalization was earlier this year. His room contained a single bed and private bathroom. He was only there about 3 nights but he was comfortable and well looked after. I was hospitalised about 15 years ago and was in a 6 bed female ward. Two of the other patients in my ward were private, the rest of us public patients. We all received the same meals and were looked after by the same nursing staff but the private patients had their own doctors. My surgery was performed by a top Brisbane specialist. My 3 week stay, surgery and ambulance ride didn't cost me a cent but had I been in a private health fund, I would have had to pay for everything and claim a portion of it back from the fund provider.
As self-funded retirees, we don't qualify for pensioner discounts, although I was recently given a discount on a tourist service because I "looked old enough to be a pensioner" which was
nice considering I won't qualify for the aged pension for at least 12 years.