Vision Impaired Person's travel pass

To be eligible, you must be a permanent resident of NSW and:

• receive the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension on the basis of blindness from Services Australia, or
• have been assessed by an ophthalmologist (or optometrist in rural and regional areas) as legally blind. The criteria requires one of the following:
  1. Visual acuity on the Snellan Scale less than 6/60 in both eyes while wearing glasses or contact lenses.
  2. The field of vision constricted to 10 degrees of arc in the better eye, irrespective of corrected visual acuity.
  3. The combination of visual defects results in the same visual impairment as that which occurs in the above two conditions.

How to apply:

1. Check your eligibility
2. Download and complete the VIP Travel Pass application form (pdf 944KB) with your personal details, Services Australia customer reference number (if applicable)
3. Have your medical specialist complete and sign the appropriate sections (if applicable)
4. You can apply for a free travel Opal card on the same form.
5. Include digital copies of 2 identical current colour passport size photos, with your printed name and signature on the back of one of them.
6. Upload your application form, photos, and supporting documents online using the Concessions application form.

Download PDF form (pdf 944KB)

Conditions and replacement passes:

• The Vision Impaired Person's Travel Pass is issued free of charge and is valid for five years.
• The free travel Opal card is valid for five years or until your entitlement ceases.
• You must carry your Vision Impaired Person's Travel Pass as proof of entitlement, or you may be fined for travelling on an invalid ticket.
• Your attendant can travel with you for free if your VIP Travel Pass is marked "Plus Attendant".
• If you travel with a guide dog, please refer to the travelling with an assistance animal page.
• For a replacement Vision Impaired Person's (VIP) Travel Pass or free travel Opal card, download the form and apply again.
  A replacement fee may apply.
• If you need extra assistance to apply for a replacement Vision Impaired Person’s (VIP) Travel Pass, call 131 500.

You can travel free on train/metro, bus, light rail and ferry services in Sydney and surrounding areas. This includes NSW TrainLink Intercity services between Dungog, Scone, Goulburn, Bomaderry (Nowra), and Bathurst.

You can use a free travel Opal card to open the ticket gates without staff. However, it is optional and for convenience. It is not a requirement for free travel.

Note:

• Free travel isn't available on some private ferries, event shuttle buses, premium or charter buses services, Great Southern Rail services or tourism services. Check with your local transport operator to find out if they recognise the VIP travel pass.
• When you travel to or from the airport train stations, you are not required to pay the Sydney Airport station access fee but your attendant will need to pay the concession Sydney Airport station access fee.

On NSW TrainLink Regional services, you are entitled to free travel and concession fares.

This includes:

• one return free trip or two one-way free trips in First or Economy class on Regional services each calendar year within NSW (applicable to NSW VIP Travel Pass holders only)
• concession fares in First or Economy class on Regional services within NSW
• concession fares from the NSW border to your interstate destination when travelling on NSW TrainLink Regional services.

Note:

• Concessions do not apply for sleeping berth charges.
• You need to present your pass at any NSW TrainLink ticket office or accredited travel agency when you book and before you travel. Read more on how to book your NSW TrainLink ticket.

Your VIP is accepted for travel in other states and territories on designated services.

It is important that you check with interstate transport authorities before travelling, to receive information on your entitlements in other states and territories.

If you have a VIP Travel Pass from another state or territory in Australia, you can get travel benefits in NSW, such as:

Sydney and surrounds:

• Free travel on all Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro and NSW TrainLink Intercity services. This includes non-booked NSW TrainLink Intercity services between Dungog, Scone, Goulburn, Bomaderry (Nowra) and Bathurst.
• Free travel on Sydney Ferries, Sydney and Newcastle light rail services, Sydney and Newcastle bus services, and some local bus services.

Regional NSW:

• Concession fares in First or Economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within NSW. (Concessions do not apply for sleeping berth charges.)
• Concession fares from the NSW border to your interstate destination when travelling on NSW TrainLink Regional services. (Concessions do not apply for sleeping berth charges.)
• Some local bus services may offer free travel. Check with the operator before you travel.

If you are travelling with an assistance animal, equivalent Assistance Animal Passes are accepted. Find out more about Assistance Animal Passes.

Note:

• Passes issued in other states will not be able to open Opal ticket gates