Companion Card NSW: Where to Use It (2026)

Key Points:

Your companion gets free entry at 1,000+ venues across NSW
Free companion travel on trains, buses, ferries, and metro
Accepted at cinemas, museums, zoos, theatres, and sporting events
Works interstate at participating venues
Card is free; you pay your ticket, companion enters free

Check Your Eligibility: Use our free Companion Card Checker to quickly see if you qualify for a Companion Card.

If you have an NSW Companion Card, your support person can join you for free at participating venues and on public transport. This guide shows you where to use it, how it works, and tips for maximizing benefits.

Where You Can Use Your Companion Card in NSW

The NSW Companion Card is accepted at over 1,000 venues and on most public transport across New South Wales.

Entertainment Venues

Your companion enters free at these entertainment locations when you pay:

Cinemas:

Hoyts, Event Cinemas, Village Cinemas
Independent and art-house cinemas
Palace Cinemas locations

Live Performance:

Sydney Opera House
State Theatre
Capitol Theatre
Major concert venues
Local theatres and performing arts centers

Recreation:

Bowling alleys
Ice skating rinks
Laser tag venues
Indoor climbing centers

Attractions and Museums

Free companion entry at:

Major Attractions:

Taronga Zoo
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Sydney Tower Eye
Luna Park Sydney

Museums and Galleries:

Australian Museum
Powerhouse Museum
Art Gallery of NSW
Museum of Contemporary Art
Regional museums across NSW

Events and Festivals

The card works at:

Sydney Royal Easter Show
Vivid Sydney events
Film festivals
Sporting events at major stadiums
Community festivals

Public Transport (Free Companion Travel)

Your companion travels free on:

Sydney Metro and Trains:

All Sydney Trains services
Sydney Metro
NSW TrainLink Intercity trains
Regional NSW TrainLink trains and coaches
Free through Sydney Airport station gates

Buses:

State Transit buses
Private operator buses across NSW
School and route buses

Ferries:

Sydney Ferries (all routes except Manly Fast Ferry)
Parramatta River services
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie ferries

Light Rail:

Sydney Light Rail (all lines)

Important Transport Rules:

Cardholder must pay their own fare
Both must travel together the entire journey
Show your Companion Card if staff request it
Only one companion travels free at a time

Transport Exclusions:

Manly Fast Ferry (Circular Quay to Manly)
Private charter buses
Sleeping berths on regional trains (companion pays berth charge but not ticket)
Interstate travel portions
Great Southern Rail services

Finding Participating Venues

Search the official NSW Companion Card directory to find venues by:

Postcode or suburb
Venue type (cinema, museum, gym, etc.)
Activity category
Region

Always call ahead to confirm a venue accepts the card, especially for chain locations where policies may vary by site.

For community participation activities, see our NDIS Social Community Participation Guide.

How the Companion Card Works

At Venues

Book or Buy Tickets: Mention you have a Companion Card when booking (phone or in person)
Show Your Card: Present the card at entry or when collecting tickets
Pay Your Ticket: You pay the standard price for your ticket
Companion Enters Free: Venue issues a free ticket for your companion

On Public Transport

Cardholder Taps On: You pay using your Opal card or contactless payment
Companion Travels Free: Your companion doesn’t need to tap or pay
Carry Your Card: Have it ready to show transport staff if asked
Travel Together: You must stay together for the entire journey

Booking Regional Trains

When booking NSW TrainLink Regional services:

Book by phone or in person (not online)
Provide your Companion Card number
Mention any accessibility needs (wheelchair space, etc.)
Your companion’s fare is waived, but you pay any berth charges

What is a Companion Card?

The NSW Companion Card is for people with significant and permanent disabilities who need a high level of attendant care support to participate in community activities. It’s part of a national scheme, so cards issued in NSW work in other states and territories.

Who Gets Free Entry?

When you buy a ticket to a participating venue, your companion enters or travels free. The companion can be:

A paid support worker or carer
A family member
A friend
Anyone providing necessary attendant care support

The card is issued in your name. You choose who accompanies you for each outing.

What is “Attendant Care Support”?

Attendant care support means essential assistance with:

Mobility
Communication
Self-care
Planning and decision-making

The support must be necessary because aids and technology alone aren’t enough. The card is not for social companionship, reassurance, or “just in case” support. Your companion must actively help you participate in the activity.

Companion Card Eligibility

To qualify for an NSW Companion Card, you must meet all these criteria:

Required Criteria

Residency:

Australian citizen or permanent resident
Live in New South Wales

Disability:

Significant and permanent disability
The disability substantially limits your ability to participate in community activities independently
The disability is lifelong (won’t improve with treatment, training, or development)

Support Needs:

You need attendant care support to participate at most community venues
This need is lifelong and won’t change
Aids and technology alone aren’t enough (you still need human support)

The card is not means-tested. Eligibility is based on your support needs, not your income.

Special Situations

Age: No strict age limits, but:

You must be old enough to normally be charged entry fees
For children, the need for support must be proven lifelong (no card if future independence is possible)

Episodic Conditions: People with fluctuating conditions (multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, mental health conditions) can apply. You’ll need to show:

Attendant care support is needed for most community access
Treatment, medication, and aids alone can’t manage the support needs

What the Card Doesn’t Cover:

Physical accessibility (ramps, accessible toilets, lifts are the venue’s responsibility)
Support needed only for companionship or reassurance

Use the Companion Card Checker to see if you might qualify, but final eligibility is decided when you submit a full application.

NDIS vs Companion Card vs Seniors Card

These are three separate programs. Here’s how they differ:

Companion Card vs NDIS

NDIS eligibility does NOT automatically qualify you for a Companion Card.

	NSW Companion Card	NDIS
Purpose	Free companion entry at venues	Funding for disability supports
Eligibility	Lifelong need for attendant care support	Permanent disability impacting function
Benefit	Free companion ticket	Funding for therapy, equipment, support workers, etc.
Application	Separate application to NSW Companion Card program	Separate application to NDIA

You can be an NDIS participant and still need to apply separately for a Companion Card. Your NDIS plan can help support your application but doesn’t guarantee approval.

Companion Card vs Seniors Card

	NSW Companion Card	NSW Seniors Card
Purpose	Free companion entry at venues	Age-based discounts and transport concessions
Eligibility	Permanent disability with lifelong support needs	Age 60+, work requirements
Benefit	Free companion ticket	Business discounts, $2.50 daily Opal cap

You can hold both cards if you meet each program’s separate eligibility criteria.

How to Apply for a Companion Card

The application is free. You only pay for passport photos.

What You Need

Application Form: Download from the NSW Companion Card website or request a hard copy by phone.

Supporting Documents:

Health Professional Declaration (part of the form, signed by your GP, specialist, OT, physio, psychologist, nurse, or social worker)
Diagnostic Reports (recent reports confirming your permanent disability and lifelong support needs)
2 Passport Photos (colour, .jpeg format if emailing)
NDIS Plan (optional, provides context but doesn’t replace medical reports)

Checklist	☐
Completed application form
Health professional declaration signed
Diagnostic reports attached
2 passport photos
Your signature

How to Apply

Email:
[email protected]
(Max 13MB per email; split into multiple emails if needed)

Post:
Companion Card
Locked Bag 5000
Parramatta NSW 2124

After You Apply

Processing: 4 to 6 weeks
If Approved: Card mailed to your address
If Declined: Letter explaining why, with appeal options

To appeal: Contact 1800 893 044 or [email protected]

Interstate Use

Your NSW Companion Card works at participating venues in other Australian states and territories. Check the Companion Card website for your destination state to find local venues and any special conditions.

Managing Your Card

Renewal

While your eligibility is lifelong, the physical card may have an expiry date (check your card). The program typically contacts you before expiry with renewal instructions. Renewal requires:

Confirming you still meet eligibility criteria
Two new passport photos

Update Your Details

Contact the program if your address, phone, or email changes:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 893 044

Lost or Damaged Card

Request a replacement by contacting the program via phone or website. A replacement fee may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the card free?

Yes. The application and card are free. You only pay for passport photos.

Is there an age limit?

No strict age limits, but you must:

Be old enough to normally be charged entry fees
Have a lifelong need for attendant care support (difficult to prove for young children whose condition might improve)

Can my carer apply for the card?

No. The card is issued to the person with the disability. You choose who acts as your companion for each outing. Carers can help you fill out the application.

Does NDIS eligibility guarantee a Companion Card?

No. They’re separate programs. NDIS participants must still apply separately and prove lifelong attendant care needs for community access.

Can I get a card if my condition fluctuates?

Maybe. Applications for episodic conditions (MS, epilepsy, mental health conditions) are assessed case by case. You’ll need to show attendant care support is needed for most community access and can’t be managed with treatment or aids alone.

Does it work interstate?

Yes. Your NSW card is accepted at participating venues in other states and territories. Check the local Companion Card website for venue lists.

What if my application is declined?

You’ll get a letter explaining why. You can:

Call 1800 893 044 to discuss
Request a formal written review if unsatisfied

How do I contact the program?

Phone: 1800 893 044 (Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm)
Email: [email protected]
Website: Search “NSW Companion Card” on nsw.gov.au

Key Resources

If you need help with community access or in-home support in NSW, MD Home Care can connect you with qualified support workers and help you understand available programs.