The introduction of the Companion Card program in Tasmania is an initiative under the Tasmanian Government's Disability Framework for Action, which aims to foster human rights by removing some of the barriers to participation in Tasmania's social, cultural and economic life for people with a disability. The program is run by the Disability Bureau, in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The Companion Card program began in Victoria in 2003. The Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability (VICNORD) developed the concept of a companion card in response to continued concern from people with a disability, who found the pricing policies of many entertainment, leisure and recreation venues/activities to be discriminatory. The Companion Card program is now running in several states around Australia, and cardholders may use their cards interstate -- see the... page on this website for updates on which states and organisations participate in the program.
People who, due to their disability, require attendant care support to participate at community venues and activities have a right to equal participation in the community. This fundamental right is protected under Sections 14 and 15 of the Anti-discrimination Act 1998 (Tas) and Section 8 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwlth). Both Acts make it unlawful to discriminate against a person with a disability who requires the assistance of a companion.
In the past, a person with a disability who needed attendant care support from a companion in order to participate at most venues/activities in the community had sometimes been required to pay two admission and/or booking fees: one for themselves and one for their companion.
This practice is discriminatory because it has the effect of doubling the admission and/or booking price for the person with a disability.
A number of venues/activities have attempted to address this inequity and have allowed free admission for companions. Prior to the introduction of the Companion Card, these organisations did not have a simple or consistent method of identifying who may legitimately require a companion.
