Do pensioners get free hearing aids in Australia? The Hearing Services Program explained

Do pensioners get free hearing aids in Australia? The Hearing Services Program explained

Yes — eligible pensioners can receive fully subsidised hearing aids at no cost (excluding an optional annual maintenance fee, explained below) through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP). The program covers a hearing assessment, a fully subsidised hearing aid range, professional fitting and follow-up support for eligible people. That includes most Pensioner Concession Card holders and DVA Gold and White Card holders. Hearingcare in Caloundra, Queensland, is an accredited Hearing Services Program provider. Eligible pensioners on the Sunshine Coast can access the entire pathway — eligibility check, assessment, fitting and aftercare — at our Bulcock Street clinic. Eligibility criteria apply and are set by the program.

Who is eligible for free hearing aids? Pensioner Concession Card and DVA eligibility

Eligibility is set by the Australian Government, not by clinics. You are generally eligible if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 26 or over. You also need to hold one of these:

• a Pensioner Concession Card (Centrelink)
• a DVA Gold Card, or a DVA White Card issued for a hearing-related condition
• you are a dependent of someone in one of the categories above
• you are a member of the Australian Defence Force
• you are referred through the Disability Employment Services program

Two common surprises catch people out. A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card on its own does Not qualify. Neither does a Health Care Card in most cases. If you are unsure, don't guess. Hearingcare can check your eligibility electronically in a few minutes, or you can check at hearingservices.gov.au.

What do pensioners get at no cost under the Hearing Services Program?

For eligible clients, the Hearing Services Program covers a complete pathway, not just a device:

An optional annual maintenance agreement covers batteries, repairs and servicing. It carries a small yearly fee. It is genuinely optional, and we explain how it works before you decide.

Are the fully subsidised hearing aids any good?

This is the question pensioners most want answered honestly. Fully subsidised hearing aids provided through the Hearing Services Program are TGA-registered devices selected from the program's approved device schedule, chosen to suit a wide range of everyday listening needs. They handle everyday listening well for most people: conversation, television, telephone. What they don't include is every premium feature. The newest models with advanced background-noise processing or Bluetooth streaming may sit in the "top-up" category, where the program pays its subsidy and you pay the difference. Many HSP clients find fully subsidised devices meet their day-to-day listening needs well. Whether a top-up is worth it depends on your hearing, your lifestyle and your listening environments. As a rough guide, top-up contributions range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars — GST inclusive, and we quote exact figures at your appointment. There is never an obligation to top up.

What about DVA Gold Card and white card holders?

DVA Gold Card holders are eligible for the Hearing Services Program for any hearing loss. DVA White Card holders are eligible when the card covers a hearing-related condition. Veterans may also be able to access additional support through DVA beyond the standard HSP entitlements, depending on their circumstances. We can help you understand what applies to you, or you can check directly with DVA.

How do you apply for the Hearing Services Program in Caloundra?

The process is simpler than most people expect:

1. Check your eligibility — at hearingservices.gov.au, or ask us to check electronically at the clinic.
2. Apply for the program — online, by phone, or we can help you complete the application at your appointment.
3. Book your assessment — once approved, book with an accredited provider like Hearingcare in Caloundra.
4. Get tested, fitted and supported — assessment, device selection, fitting and follow-up all happen through the program.

Bring your Pensioner Concession Card or DVA card to your first appointment. Approval usually comes through quickly. We handle the program paperwork from there.

"For eligible pensioners, the Hearing Services Program removes the biggest barrier to getting help — cost. My job is to make sure the device you leave with actually suits your hearing and your life, whether that's a fully subsidised aid or something else. The program gives you real choices," says Linda Whittaker, Qualified Audiometrist at Hearingcare in Caloundra.

If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or DVA card and cost has kept you from a hearing test, call Hearingcare on (07) 5223 4444. We'll check your Hearing Services Program eligibility before you book, so you know exactly where you stand. Our Caloundra clinic serves Golden Beach, Kings Beach, Pelican Waters and the wider Sunshine Coast.

The information on this page is general in nature. Eligibility for the Hearing Services Program is determined by the Australian Government and criteria apply; services described are for eligible clients of the program. An optional annual maintenance fee applies to the battery and maintenance agreement. Hearing outcomes vary from person to person, and this information is not a substitute for professional advice about your individual hearing health. For advice specific to you, book an appointment with our Qualified Audiometrist.

Last reviewed July 2026 by Linda Whittaker, Qualified Audiometrist.

Take the next step

If anything in this guide reflects your own situation, a comprehensive hearing assessment is the most reliable next step. At Hearing Care on the Sunshine Coast, Linda Whittaker — a Senior Clinical Audiometrist with over 20 years of experience and ACAud accreditation — provides unhurried, individualised hearing care in a supportive environment.

We see clients from Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Noosa and across the wider Sunshine Coast region. Eligible patients can access fully funded hearing services through the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program.

Individual results vary. Professional hearing assessment is required to determine the most appropriate management approach for your specific situation.