Ongoing News & Events

• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety net
• Saving on Victorian Vehicle Registration Fee
• Transport Accident Commission - Information for People with Disabilities
• Who Offers What - Services for the Community Sector
• Making Homes As Safe As Possible
• Aussie Adaptions Have Moved Premises
• A Health Handbook For Women With Disabilities
• What Can You Use Your Pensioner Concession Or Health Care Card For?
• New Disability Sports Body For NSW
• New Headquarters Open for Wheelchair Sports Victoria

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net (X-VI)

If you or your family need a lot of medicine in a calendar year, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety net may help you with the cost. All Australian residents, and eligible people from countries with which Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement, are eligible for the PBS safety net.

The safety net applies when you have spent the safety net threshold on prescription medicine. In 2006, the threshold amount is $960.10 for general patients and $253.80 for concession cardholders. When you, or your family, reach the safety net threshold, you can apply for a PBS safety net card and your PBS medicine will be less expensive or free for the rest of the year.

To keep track of how much you spend on medicine, it's a good idea to ask your pharmacist for a prescription record form and to get them to fill it in for you whenever you buy prescription medicine. Your pharmacy might also be able to keep a record for you on their computer, but it's best to keep your own records as well. If you have a family, ask your pharmacist about combining the amounts you spend for your safety net total.

You can get more information about the PBS safety net by:

• talking to your pharmacist
• visiting your local Medicare office
• phoning 1800 020 613 for the cost of a local call
• visiting Medicare online at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

Saving on Victorian Vehicle Registration Fee (VII-VI)

When you don’t have any Concession Cards but you have a modified accessible vehicle you are still entitled to a discount on your vehicle registration but you need to get a certificate that proves that your vehicle has been modified.

Once you provide Vic Roads with a modification certificate it will entitle you to register your vehicle under the “EN rate”. You don’t have to pay the registration part of the fee, the only fee you pay is the TAC Levy. About a $170 saving.

So, basically produce the modification paperwork or have the vehicle inspected (sighted) at Vic Roads and ask for the EN Rate.  If they don’t know what you are talking about (big chance) then ask to see the manager who should hopefully know what it is, but it should be just a simple five-minute procedure.

Either Health Care Card or Pension Card holders are entitled automatically.

You can also apply for a six-month registration if your vehicle is due for renewal after the 1 st of January 2006 . This means Vic Roads issue you with a registration every six months instead of every year without charging you any excess fees for the service.  To be entitled to get this you need to either hold a Health Care Card or Pension Card, or be an incapacitated person that owns or is transported by their guardians and/or parent in a modified vehicle.

Transport Accident Commission - Information for People with Disabilities (VII-VI)

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) has developed its website www.tac.vic.gov.au to provide information to clients, families, people with disabilities and service providers on what is available within the local and national community and disability sector to promote inclusiveness, empowerment, support available in the community and availability of information.

It has inspiring personal stories of people with disabilities that have overcome various challenges to get on with their lives again. It also has links to organisations and supports that aim to assist people with disabilities to participate actively and independently in the community.

By clicking the relevant link, people with disabilities, their families and service providers can get the most up to date information on transport and travel, holiday accommodation, dining and access, sport and recreation, rights and responsibilities, education and concessions.

The information is found by clicking on Client Info rmation in the main navigation banner and then clicking on Info rmation for People with Disabilities.

Who Offers What - Services for the Community Sector (II-VI)

Have you ever needed to source disability or aged care equipment? Have you ever needed to contact Legal, Insurance or Fundraising services but not known where to look? Have you needed to get in touch with people in the Building and Trade services, Employment, special needs accommodation? Wanted to get great deals for your organisation?

Launched in February 2006, the WOW (Who Offers What) Guide is a new online service providing a link between Not for Profit and Community organisations and those wishing to offer products, services and special rates to them.

It can put you in touch with the latest special offers and prices on products and services specifically targeted to the Community and Not-for-Profit sector.

To find out more you can visit www.wowguide.com.au and browse through over 300 companies in a range of 26 categories. And while you’re there make sure you subscribe to the free monthly Bulletin (launching soon!) containing all the latest specials and offers. It will keep you on top of all the latest and greatest offers to the community sector.

For further information on using the WOW Guide you can contact Pro Bono Australia on 03 8080 5650 or email epeyton@mahlab.com.

Making Homes As Safe As Houses (I-VI)

Minister for housing Candy Broad has urged older Victorian homeowners and those with a disability to make use of a State Government service, designed to make their homes safer.

Ms Broad joined the Royal Australian Institute of Architects at its Hawthorn office to launch Safe as Houses: A Report on Housing Conditions for Older Australians.

The report looks at health, safety and maintenance issues in the private homes of older Victorians and those with disabilities, identifies the most common hazards and makes recommendations on how to improve home safety.

The report is based on more than 26,000 home inspections carried out over a six-year period by qualified architects from the Institutes Archicentre advisory service and funded through the State Governments Home Renovation Service.

Figures from the Monash University Accident Research Centre for 2002 show that 166 Victorians died and another 20,000 were admitted to hospital following accidents at home Ms Broad said.

The State Government’s Home Renovation Service assists older Victorians and those with a disability to live in their homes safely by financing Archicentre's home inspection service and provide low interest loans to eligible Victorians to carry out needed restoration work.

The Home Renovation Service was established in 1981 to assist older homeowners and those with a disability to live safely and independently in their own homes by looking at health and safety issues in and around the home and providing independent advice on immediate and long term renovation work.

Homeowners aged 60 and over as well as homeowners with a disability or those caring for someone with a disability are eligible to apply for a low interest loan to carry out repair work.

Inspections through Archicentre are free but an eligibility criteria applies to the loans scheme.

Borrowers must have no more than $30,000 in cash or liquid assets and must own their homes.

Loans are available for up to $25,000 with repayment within 15 years. Payments range from a minimum of $20 per week and are capped at no more than 25 per cent of gross monthly income.

Information on the free inspection service is available from Archicentre on 1300 136 513. Eligible homeowners interested in low-interest loans should contact the Office of Housing on 1800 133 324.