Talking Telco: Helpful consumer guides on internet, mobile, home phone, and more
- Details
- Hardship help
The first thing that you should do if you are struggling to pay a bill is contact your service provider so you can discuss your options. Your provider can set up a payment plan for you, and while this is in place they will not report your debt to a Credit Reporting Agency.
Below are the contact details for some of the main service providers.
- Details
- Hardship assistance
Centrelink Telephone Allowance
If you have a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you might be eligible for the Government’s Telephone Allowance, as included in the Pensioner Supplement or Seniors Supplement.
You can read more information about whether you can get the Centrelink Telephone Allowance by clicking here.
Telstra Pensioner Discount
The Telstra Pensioner Discount provides eligible pensioner customers with a monthly call discount on their Telstra home phone service.
If you are eligible for the discount, you can also get free access to Call Control, a waiver on late payment fees, and fee-free payment options.
You can register by calling Telstra on 13 2200.
Telstra Disability Equipment Program
This program provides Telstra customers with products that make calling easier for people with disability. These products include phones with larger buttons, visual alerts, cochlear implant adaptors, and teletypewriters (TTY). If you are eligible you can rent the equipment for the same price as a normal phone handset.
For more information:
- Visit Telstra’s disability services page.
- Call the Telstra Disability Enquiry Hotline (Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm EST) on
- 1800 068 424 (voice)
- 1800 808 981 (TTY).
- Details
- Hardship assistance
Centrelink Telephone Allowance
If you have a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you might be eligible for the Government’s Telephone Allowance, as included in the Pensioner Supplement or Seniors Supplement.
You can read more information about whether you can get the Centrelink Telephone Allowance by clicking here.
Telstra Pensioner Discount
The Telstra Pensioner Discount provides eligible pensioner customers with a monthly call discount on their Telstra home phone service.
If you are eligible for the discount, you can also get free access to Call Control, a waiver on late payment fees, and fee-free payment options.
You can register by calling Telstra on 13 2200.
Telstra Home Phone Essential package
The Telstra Home Phone Essential package is a cheaper home phone plan for eligible Telstra customers.
To be eligible you must hold an eligible Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card.