What is the Hearing Services Program and are you eligible

What is the Hearing Services Program and are you eligible

The Australian Hearing Services Program: eligibility, access, and what it covers

Always consult with a qualified audiologist or hearing aid audiometrist for personalised advice regarding your hearing health. Eligibility requirements, covered services, and program conditions under the Hearing Services Program are subject to change. Verify current information with Services Australia, the Department of Health and Aged Care, or a contracted HSP provider. The information in this article is general in nature.

What is the Hearing Services Program?

The Hearing Services Program (HSP) is an Australian Government initiative administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care. It provides subsidised or fully subsidised hearing assessments, hearing devices, and ongoing support to Australians who meet specific eligibility criteria.

The program works through a network of contracted service providers — private clinics and Hearing Australia — who are accredited to deliver HSP services. Eligible participants access hearing care through these providers at reduced or no out-of-pocket cost, depending on their eligibility category and the devices they choose.

The HSP has supported millions of Australians over many years, helping pensioners, veterans, and other eligible groups remain connected to family, community, and daily life. For Sunshine Coast residents who may qualify, the program offers a practical pathway to professional hearing care without the full private cost of devices and services.

Understanding the program structure — who qualifies, what it covers, and how to access it — is the first step toward making an informed decision about your hearing health.

Who may be eligible for the Hearing Services Program?

Eligibility for the HSP is defined by the Department of Health and Aged Care and verified electronically through government records. The following groups may be eligible, subject to current program criteria.

Pensioners and eligible concession card holders. People receiving payments including the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment Single, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance (job seeker), Special Benefit, or Farm Household Allowance may be eligible. Pensioner Concession Card holders and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders may also qualify. Eligibility is confirmed electronically by your contracted provider when you attend for assessment.

Department of Veterans' Affairs clients. DVA card holders may access the HSP regardless of pension status. DVA Gold Card holders, White Card holders, and certain other DVA clients may be eligible depending on their accepted conditions and card type. Veterans experiencing hearing loss related to their service may access hearing assessments, devices, and follow-up care with little or no out-of-pocket cost through the HSP.

Young Australians and children. Hearing Australia provides hearing services to children and young Australians up to age 26, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who can access Hearing Australia services throughout their lifetime. For NDIS participants under 26 with hearing support in their plan, access pathways may differ — discuss your situation with a contracted provider or your NDIS support coordinator.

Other eligible groups. Additional categories may include members of the Australian Defence Force, Papua New Guinea pensioners, Australian South Sea Islanders, and widows or widowers of individuals who died as a result of defence service. The current program guidelines should be confirmed with Services Australia or a contracted provider.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, the quickest way to check is to contact an accredited HSP provider, call Hearing Australia on 131 797, or visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website. Eligibility status can change if your pension, benefits, or concession card status changes, so it is worth checking if your circumstances have shifted.

How to apply for the Hearing Services Program

Accessing the HSP is designed to be straightforward. You do not need a GP referral to access the program, though if you have symptoms such as ear pain, sudden hearing loss, or discharge, seeing your GP first is advisable to rule out medical conditions that require treatment before hearing aid assessment.

Find a contracted service provider. The HSP is delivered through a network of accredited private clinics and Hearing Australia. Use the provider search tool on the Department of Health website, call Hearing Australia on 131 797, or ask your GP or aged care facility for recommendations. On the Sunshine Coast, contracted providers are located across Caloundra, Maroochydore, and surrounding areas. When selecting a provider, consider location and accessibility, appointment availability, and the range of devices and support services offered.

Book your initial appointment. Contact your chosen provider and let them know you believe you may be eligible for the HSP. Bring your Medicare card and, if applicable, your Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or DVA card. The provider will verify your eligibility electronically — you do not need to bring proof of pension payments or benefit statements.

Attend your initial assessment. Your first appointment typically takes 60 to 90 minutes and covers a detailed discussion of your hearing concerns and communication needs, an otoscopic examination of your ear canals and eardrums, pure tone audiometry to measure hearing thresholds across frequencies, speech discrimination testing to assess how you understand spoken words, and tympanometry to check middle ear function. There is no obligation to proceed with hearing devices after the assessment. Your hearing care professional will explain the results and discuss whether hearing devices may be suitable.

Select devices if appropriate. If hearing devices are recommended and suitable for your needs, your provider will present options available under your entitlement. You will discuss device styles, technology features, maintenance requirements, and whether any additional contribution (top-up) is involved. Take your time with this step. A contracted provider should explain all options clearly without pressure.

Device fitting and orientation. Once you have selected your devices, your provider will fit and program them to your hearing profile, provide hands-on instruction for insertion, removal, charging or battery changing, and cleaning, and schedule follow-up appointments to fine-tune the programming as you adjust.

Choosing your service provider

One of the practical advantages of the HSP is provider choice. You are not required to use Hearing Australia — contracted private providers across Australia also deliver HSP services, and your entitlements transfer with you if you change providers or move.

When choosing a provider on the Sunshine Coast, consider the qualifications and experience of the practitioners, whether the provider offers a range of device brands and technology tiers, the accessibility of the location for regular follow-up appointments, and whether the provider explains your options clearly without pressure.

If you wish to change providers, contact your new preferred provider and they will access your HSP records electronically. Your care transfers without requiring a new application.

What the Hearing Services Program covers

The HSP covers a comprehensive range of hearing services for eligible participants. Understanding what is included helps you make the most of your entitlements.

Hearing assessments. Your initial assessment and annual review assessments are covered under the program. These include the full range of tests described above, plus a discussion of your results and recommendations.

Hearing devices. Eligible participants may access hearing aids from a range of digital device types including behind-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, and in-the-ear styles. The specific devices available depend on your subsidy level and clinical needs. Devices covered under the program include options from major manufacturers. Your provider will explain which devices fall within your entitlement level and which involve additional cost.

Fitting, programming, and adjustments. Professional fitting and programming of your devices, initial follow-up appointments, and ongoing adjustments as your needs change are covered under the program. This includes real-ear measurement and fine-tuning during the adjustment period.

Maintenance and repairs. Routine professional cleaning, replacement of wax guards and other disposable components, and repairs for manufacturing defects or component failures are covered. Conditions apply for accidental damage, and loss or theft is generally not covered under standard entitlements. Ask your provider about optional loss and damage insurance if this is a concern.

Battery supply. If you have battery-powered devices, ongoing battery supply is provided for eligible participants. Rechargeable devices are also available within the program range on some entitlement levels.

Annual reviews. You are entitled to annual reviews that include a repeat hearing assessment to monitor any changes, verification that your devices are performing as programmed, and adjustments or updated programming as needed. These reviews ensure your hearing care adapts as your hearing and lifestyle evolve.

Fully subsidised devices and top-up options

The HSP uses a subsidy framework to determine the level of coverage you receive. The program's contracted device range provides clinically appropriate options across major manufacturers. For most eligible participants, devices within the contracted range are covered at no out-of-pocket cost.

If you want features or technology beyond what the contracted range includes — such as advanced Bluetooth streaming, particular rechargeable systems, or premium processing tiers — you may choose to make a top-up payment. This means the government subsidy applies to the base device cost, and you contribute the difference for the upgraded model. Your provider must clearly disclose the subsidy amount and your expected contribution before you commit.

Top-up fees vary by device tier and provider. Contact your contracted provider for current pricing specific to your chosen devices.

The right choice between a fully subsidised device and a top-up model depends on your clinical needs, lifestyle, and budget. Many participants find that devices within the contracted range meet their communication needs effectively without any additional cost. For others, features like rechargeable batteries, seamless smartphone connectivity, or advanced noise reduction in complex environments may be worth the additional investment. Your hearing care professional can help you weigh these factors honestly.

DVA access through the Hearing Services Program

Veterans with hearing-related conditions accepted through the Department of Veterans' Affairs may access hearing services through the HSP with DVA coverage. The level of coverage available depends on the type of DVA card held and the conditions accepted under DVA.

DVA Gold Card holders typically receive comprehensive coverage for accepted conditions, which may include hearing assessment, hearing aid devices, batteries and accessories, and ongoing maintenance and adjustments. DVA White Card holders receive coverage specifically for accepted service-related conditions.

If you are a veteran, bring your DVA card to your appointment with a contracted provider, who will work within DVA frameworks to ensure you receive appropriate care. Contact DVA directly at dva.gov.au or speak with a Veterans' Affairs representative to understand your specific entitlements before attending.

Service standards under the Hearing Services Program

Contracted providers must meet service standards set by the Department of Health and Aged Care. This includes delivering services with professional competence and clinical appropriateness, providing clear information about device options and associated costs before any commitment, offering ongoing follow-up care and maintenance throughout the life of the devices, and maintaining accurate records of services delivered under the program.

If you experience concerns about the quality of service from your HSP provider, you can raise these with the Department of Health and Aged Care or seek care from a different contracted provider. You are entitled to change providers without reapplying for the program.

Working with Hearing Care on the Sunshine Coast

At Hearing Care, Linda Whittaker is a Qualified Hearing Aid Audiometrist who provides comprehensive hearing assessments and hearing device services to adults across the Sunshine Coast. Eligible HSP participants can choose from contracted service providers across the region. Contact us to discuss your situation and whether we can support your hearing care needs under the HSP.

If you are unsure about your eligibility or which program is right for your circumstances, we are happy to discuss the options and point you in the right direction. You can also check your eligibility through Services Australia or by calling Hearing Australia on 131 797.

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.