Australian Government Hearing Services Program
The Australian Government Hearing Services Program1 aims to reduce the impact of hearing loss, by providing eligible clients with access to a range of hearing services which may include a comprehensive hearing assessment, and annual reviews, as well as, where appropriate, fully subsidised hearing aids and an optional subsidised annual maintenance agreement to cover repairs, servicing and batteries to support your hearing aids at no extra cost to you beyond a small yearly fee.
Services you may be entitled to as part of the Hearing Services Program:
- A comprehensive hearing assessment by one of our highly trained and qualified clinicians.
- Advice on managing hearing difficulties and looking after your hearing via annual reviews.
- If the hearing test assessment indicates that you have a degree of hearing loss, your clinician will recommend an appropriate hearing solution that may include a suitable hearing aid that meets hearing and lifestyle needs.
- Access to a range of subsidised hearing aids.
- Your clinician will also advise you on how to get the most from your hearing aids.
- If you have complex hearing problems, your clinician may recommend additional services to meet your hearing healthcare needs.
If you are already a client of the program, new hearing aids will only be fitted if your current hearing aids are no longer meeting your clinical requirements, as assessed by your hearing services clinician.
You may also be eligible to receive specialised hearing services, under the Community Services Obligations component of the program. Depending on your needs and if you meet certain criteria, we may refer you to another provider to receive specialised hearing services under the Community Services Obligations system.
Eligibility for the Hearing Services Program?
You may be eligible for the voucher component of the Hearing Services Program. The voucher is an authority issued to eligible clients of the Hearing Services Program enabling them to have their hearing tested and hearing aids reviewed.
You may be eligible if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident 21 years or older, and if you are:
- A pensioner concession card holder.
- A Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holder.
- A Department of Veteran Affairs White Card holder issued for specific conditions that include hearing loss.
- Dependent of a person in one of the above categories.
- A member of the Australian Defence Force2.
- Referred by a Disability Employment services Program
You can check if you are eligible by using the eligibility checker on the Australian Government Hearing Services website.
