Billions of dollars in government benefits, rebates and forgotten funds is sitting untouched, with an expert warning many Australians don’t realise they’re entitled to claim it.
Canstar Data Insights Director Sally Tindall told Sunrise on Tuesday there was a surprising range of state and federal benefits available, from free healthcare services and sports vouchers to energy rebates and unclaimed cash.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Free government services and rebates you’re missing out on
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“There’s some great services that you probably don’t know about,” Tindall told Sunrise.
One of the biggest areas of missed savings is healthcare.
Parents can call HealthDirect at any time to speak with a registered nurse, including overnight when children become sick.
Australians can also access bulk-billed after-hours GP care through 13SICK, either via telehealth or traditional home visits.
The service operates from 6pm to 8am on weekdays, with extended hours on weekends.
Mental health support is another underused benefit, with eligible patients able to access a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan through their GP.
The plan provides rebates for up to 10 individual psychologist sessions and 10 group sessions each year.
The Medicare Safety Net can also significantly reduce medical costs once patients reach certain out-of-pocket thresholds.
Australians who spend more than $594 in eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses in a calendar year become eligible for higher Medicare rebates, while those whose gap costs exceed $2699 receive even greater assistance.
Family vouchers
Families may also be overlooking state government vouchers that help cover the cost of children’s sport, swimming lessons and music classes.
Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria offer programs to all school-aged children, while New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT provide vouchers for eligible families receiving Family Tax Benefit A or B.
The Northern Territory also offers free learn-to-swim programs for preschool-aged children.
Energy rebates
Energy-saving incentives are another major source of potential savings.
New South Wales offers households up to $4000 in rebates or $15,000 in interest-free loans through its Home Energy Saver program for upgrades, including solar panels.
Victoria and South Australia have similar schemes, while Western Australia provides rebates, free appliances for eligible households experiencing hardship, and free energy coaching.
Unclaimed funds
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the amount of money Australians have already forgotten about.
According to ASIC, there is around $2.7 billion in lost money waiting to be claimed through the MoneySmart website.
The funds can include uncashed cheques, dividends, trust accounts and forgotten rental bonds.
Australians are also encouraged to check for lost or multiple superannuation accounts through the MyGov app or the Australian Taxation Office portal, where balances can be consolidated into a single account.
