Frequently asked questions

To be eligible for an ACT Seniors Card, you must:

• have turned 60 years of age;
• a permanent resident of Australia, residing in the ACT; and
• not be in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week.

To apply for an ACT Seniors Card, complete the online application form.

When you have submitted your online application you will receive an email with a submission confirmation notice which includes a copy of your application.

What you need to apply:

• your postal address details (your card will be automatically mailed to this address)
• your date of birth
• the number of either a valid Medicare card, healthcare card, Centrelink pension card or DVA medical card
• vehicle registration details and your bank account details- if you would like to claim a Seniors Card holder vehicle registration concession

If you require assistance with the application process please call COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

If filling out the online form is a problem you can download a PDF copy here to print and fill out yourself, or we can mail a hard copy of the form to you. You will then need to either post the completed form back to COTA ACT, Hughes Community Centre, 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes ACT 2605 or visit the COTA office at the Hughes Community Centre to drop it off and receive personal assistance. 

If you are not able to complete an application online, in the first instance please call COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711. You will be assisted to complete an application over the phone.

If filling out the online form is a problem you can download a PDF copy here to print and fill out yourself, or we can mail a hard copy of the form to you. You will then need to either post the completed form back to COTA ACT, Hughes Community Centre, 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes ACT 2605 or visit the COTA office at the Hughes Community Centre to drop it off and receive personal assistance. 

Alternatively we can send you a hard copy of the form to mail back, or you are able to seek assistance in person either at COTA ACT or visit an Access Canberra Service Centre during a designated quiet period (please call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 prior to visiting an Access Canberra Service Centre for up to date information on available options during COVID-19).

You should receive your card by post within seven business days from completion of the online application. It will be registered and sent to the address nominated by you on your application form.

To enquire about the delivery of an ACT Seniors Card contact the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711 or .

You will be asked for a reference number which you received as part of your submission confirmation e-mail. If you can’t find the number and require any further assistance please call 6207 7711 and we will be happy to assist.

To update your address with the ACT Seniors Card program contact COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or .

To notify the ACT Government of a change of address and to update your address with Access Canberra please visit the Notify the ACT Government of a change of address page.

Ticketing information including balance transfers can be directed to the My Way Administration office on 6207 7711 or email .

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged you can apply for a new ACT Seniors MyWay Card through the online application form.

When completing the online application, when asked, please indicate you are applying for a replacement card. Upon receipt of the application, your old card will be cancelled and a new card will be issued.

All ACT Senior MyWay cards, including replacement cards, are issued via the online application form. If you need assistance or are not able to apply online call COTA ACT on 6282 3777 or the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

The ACT Seniors Card provides access to savings on a range of goods and services provided by participating businesses. A combination of government and non-government businesses make up the 300 participating organisations that provide a number of benefits and discounts on a wide range of goods and services. Business and services who offer discounts are listed in the Discount Directory.

When completing the online ACT Seniors Card application you can elect to add your Seniors Card holder concession to one ACT vehicle registered in your name. The concession will be applied to the vehicle you nominate and any refund will be sent via EFT. Refunds can take up to 14 days to arrive in your nominated bank account.

If you have submitted your seniors card application, and you did not apply for a concession on your ACT vehicle registration, you can contact the Access Canberra Contact Centre on 132281 to apply your concession over the phone.

Further information about ACT Vehicle Registration Concession is available on the Access Canberra Website.

The ACT Seniors Card is a dual card with a MyWay travel card. To use your ACT Seniors Card to catch public transport services simply present your card at a MyWay console on a Transport Canberra bus or ticket validator on the Light Rail service. Remembering to tag on and to tag off each service.

Please note, if you are planning on traveling during peak periods which are, before 9am and from 4:30pm to 6:00pm weekdays, and you are under 70 years of age, you will need to add funds to your ACT Seniors Card. Travels funds can be added at the time of applying for your card online. Or you can add funds at a MyWay Recharge Agent or a Ticket Vending Machine, which are located at all major bus interchanges and Light Rail platforms.

Note: the MyWay card must remain in a positive balance to access the free off-peak services. Customers are still required to tag on and tag off the bus.

For information on the use of your Seniors Card as a MyWay card visit the Transport Canberra website or contact the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

ACT Senior Card holders can travel for free on all Transport Canberra services during the off-peak travel period, which is between 9:00am to 4:30pm and after 6:00pm on weekdays, and all-day weekends and public holidays. Upon receipt of the ACT Seniors Card applicants can access these services. If you wish to travel during peak periods and you are under 70 years of age, you must load additional funds.

Travels funds can be added at the time of applying for your card online. Or you can add funds at a MyWay Recharge Agent or a Ticket Vending Machine, which are located at all major bus interchanges and Light Rail platforms. Note: the MyWay card must remain in a positive balance to access the free off-peak services. You are still required to tag on and tag off the bus and light rail even during periods of free travel.

For information on the use of your Seniors Card as a MyWay card visit the Transport Canberra Website or contact the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

The over 70 free travel concession is applied to a new or existing ACT Senior/MyWay card based on the date of birth. Card holders 70 years and older are able to access free travel at all times.

The over 70 free travel concession will be applied to your card automatically when you turn 70. The MyWay card will revert to a free travel concession card the first time you present it to a MyWay console.

If you are 70 years or over at the time of completing the online application you will need to present your ACT Seniors Card at a MyWay console on a bus or Light Rail ticket validator the first time you travel. Alternatively visit a Recharge Agent and ask for your card to be presented to the instore MyWay console. The Over 70 concession will then be active on the card and will provides free travel through peak and off-peak travel periods.

Please note, you are still required to tag on and tag off the bus and light rail

For information on the use of your Seniors Card as a MyWay card visit the Transport Canberra website or contact the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

At the time of application for a replacement card, any applicable travel credit will be identified and transferred to your new card. Upon receipt of the new card you will be required to present the card at a MyWay console on a bus or Light Rail service when travelling or at a Recharge Agent to bring the credit through to the travel balance on the new card

For information on how to use your Seniors Card as a MyWay card visit the Transport Canberra Website or contact the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

Check your balance by presenting the card at a Ticket Vending Machine, which are located at all major bus interchanges and Light Rail platforms Or using the ‘Check My Balance’ on the Transport Canberra website or visit a Recharge Agent or call MyWay on 6207 7711. Do not call COTA ACT as they are unable to check a balance or transfer money.

For information on the use of your Seniors Card as a MyWay card visit the Transport Canberra website or contact the MyWay Administration Office on 6207 7711.

You are able to use a print out of the pdf of the application submission you received via email when you applied to access Transport Canberra services in the interim period until receipt of their new ACT Seniors Card, valid for 14 days.

You will be required to travel with the copy of the application and show the application to the driver on a Transport Canberra bus service or customer service officer on a Light Rail service upon request

The eligibility statement which appears at the top of your application (see example below) provides confirmation of your eligibility to access Transport Canberra services through to the date listed, which will be through to a maximum of 14 days from the date of application.