The Gold Card is a treatment card. Concessions on cars, registration and bills are set by the ATO and by each state, and most of them depend on what your card is endorsed with (TPI, EDA, War Widow) or how you qualified, not just on holding a Gold Card. Check the official page for your situation before you buy.
Buying a car GST-free (all states)
The ATO lets an eligible disabled veteran buy or lease a car, or buy car parts, without GST. Because of ADF (or other Commonwealth forces) service, you must have lost a leg or both arms, or have permanent and total loss of use of a leg or both arms, or receive a TPI pension, or receive (or be assessed as eligible for) the Special Rate Disability Pension. A Gold Card without TPI or SRDP does not on its own meet that test.
- The dealer has to agree to supply the car GST-free. Ask before you negotiate.
- Give the dealer the ATO declaration for an exemption of GST on a car or car parts (disabled veterans) and your Veteran Card endorsed TPI, or a DVA letter confirming you are eligible.
- You must intend to use the car for personal transport for at least 2 years or 40,000 km.
- GST still applies to the part of the price above the ATO car limit. Modifications made only to adapt the car for your disability are not counted.
- There is no luxury car tax exemption for veterans.
- If you paid GST and should not have, ask the dealer for a refund with the completed declaration. The ATO cannot refund it directly. ATO: 13 28 66.
Registration and stamp duty in NSW
Transport for NSW waives registration fees, motor vehicle tax and conditional registration fees, for one vehicle, if you hold a Gold Card endorsed TPI, EDA or War Widow, or a DVA statement showing a Disability Compensation Payment of 70% or more, an Intermediate or EDA pension, an ADA benefit, or 50 or more impairment points under the MRCA. Transfer fees and stamp duty are waived only for some of those groups. A Pensioner Concession Card holder may also qualify.
Other states and other discounts
Each state and territory sets its own registration, licence, transport and household concessions, and many use DVA cards to decide eligibility. DVA keeps one page that links to every state’s concession list. Councils and private businesses run their own discounts. Ask, and take your card.