Applying for a Companion Card

Please start by downloading the Companion Card Application form. Two variants are available:

Step 1. Complete Section 1 of the application form (please note that the applicant is the person with disability).

Step 2. Get two identical high-quality colour passport-sized photographs of the applicant (details of acceptable photos are available on the form).

Step 3. Take the form and photos for verification to a specified health professional or service provider (a list is provided on the form) to complete Section 2.

Step 4. Attach verified photographs to the form.

Step 5. Return your completed form, verified photos and supporting documents (such as copies of Functional Capacity Assessment report, recent diagnostic reports, etc) to:

Companion Card Applications
Reply Paid 184
Northbridge WA 6865

A hand holding a Companion Card and a Changing Places key
  • Please allow approximately 20 working days for processing (may increase during peak periods).
  • Applications will be assessed against the four eligibility criteria. The people involved in your application may be contacted for additional information.
  • If your application is approved, a Companion Card will be sent to you by post. If your application is not successful, you will receive a letter advising you of the outcome.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a Companion Card you must meet all of the following four requirements:

  • Be a permanent resident of Australia, residing in Western Australia;
  • Demonstrate that you have a significant and permanent disability, which may include issues related to ageing or psychiatric illness;
  • Demonstrate that, due to the impact of the disability, you would be unable to participate at most community activities without attendant care support; and
  • Demonstrate that your need for this level of attendant care will be life-long.

Attendant care includes significant assistance with mobility, communication, self-care or learning, planning and decision making, where the use of aids, equipment or alternative strategies does not enable you to carry out these tasks independently.

Applications for children under 5 years old: A Companion Card can only be issued to a child if they require significant attendant care support due to the impact of their disability rather than age alone. The application must demonstrate that the support needs are significantly above the standard parental supervision requirements for a child of a similar age. The need for support must be lifelong or likely to be lifelong.

You can also take the Companion Card self-assessment to find out if you might be eligible to apply. This is a guide only and we encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

Contact details

Telephone: 1800 617 337
Email: wacompanioncard@nds.org.au

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