Victorian Carer Card Application for Kinship Carers: Eligibility, Myki Discount and How to Apply

What the Carer Card Gets You

The Victorian Carer Card (sometimes called the "We Care" card) is a state government card that gives primary carers access to transport concessions and commercial discounts. For kinship carers who are running a child to school, medical appointments, and activities on a tight budget, the transport savings alone make it worth applying.

Cardholders receive a carer-coded myki card with:

• 50% discount on all Victorian public transport fares
• Free weekend travel across two consecutive zones
• Two to four free off-peak annual travel vouchers
• Commercial discounts at participating businesses

The Carer Card provides concessions only — it does not pay a cash amount. It is separate from the Foster Child Health Care Card (which covers PBS prescriptions and utility concessions) and the Pensioner Concession Card.

Eligibility for Kinship Carers

Informal kinship carers are eligible. You do not need a court order, DFFH endorsement, or any formal carer registration. You need to demonstrate a primary, ongoing caring role for the child.

The application form asks you to identify your carer category. Informal kinship carers without a DFFH vendor number can apply under Category B or C. If the child has no diagnosed condition, you can verify your caring role through an Authorised Professional Declaration in Section 4 of the application form.

The Four Verification Options

You need one of these to prove your caring role:

1. Informal Carer Statutory Declaration — the same one you may have already completed for school enrolment. If you have it, it works here too.

2. Letter from a recognised kinship agency — if you are connected with Kinship Carers Victoria (KCV) or a Community Service Organisation that supports your placement.

3. Court order — a Family Law Parenting Order or Children's Court order naming you as the child's carer.

4. Authorised Professional Declaration (Section 4) — a GP, school principal, social worker, maternal and child health nurse, or other recognised professional signs the declaration confirming your caring role. This is the most accessible option for informal carers who do not have a court order or agency letter.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Victorian Carer Card website or by mail using the printed form.

Steps:

1. Download or access the application form
2. Complete your personal details and the child's details
3. Select your carer category
4. Attach or complete your verification (Statutory Declaration, professional declaration, agency letter, or court order)
5. Submit online or post the form

Processing times: 4 to 6 weeks for online applications, 8 to 10 weeks by mail. If you need the myki concession sooner, apply online.

Once approved, the carer-coded myki is sent to you. Register it with PTV so you can top up online and recover the balance if it is lost.

Common Sticking Points

"I do not have a diagnosed condition for the child." You do not need one. The Authorised Professional Declaration in Section 4 lets a GP or school principal confirm your caring role regardless of the child's health status.

"The child's parent is still around." That does not disqualify you. The card assesses your caring role, not the parent's status. If you are the person providing day-to-day care, you qualify.

"I already have a Pensioner Concession Card." The Carer Card stacks on top. Your Pensioner Concession Card covers PBS and utilities; the Carer Card adds the myki transport discount and commercial offers.

The Victoria Kinship Carer Support guide includes the Carer Card application alongside every other concession and payment available to kinship carers in Victoria.

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