How to apply

Check if you are eligible

The eligibility checklist has 4 questions you can answer to find out if you should apply.

Take some photos

You will need 2 high quality, passport-sized photographs of you that are signed on the back by your health professional. You can take the photos yourself as long as they are clear head and shoulder only shots, that are in colour and printed on photographic paper. If you apply online, you will need to upload a digital photograph to Part A of your form. 

See a health professional to complete the form, sign/verify the photos and give you reports

You will need relevant evidence or documentation that supports your application. This may include any formal reports such as visual readings, IQ score, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)/ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V) score or psychological assessments. If applying online, you must add your reports and photograph in Part A of the form. Your health professional will verify your photographs when they complete Part B and can also attach additional evidence or documentation. 

Submit your application

After your application has been submitted we will assess your application and the information provided to determine if you are eligible for a Companion Card. A decision will then be made to issue you with a card or not.

If you apply online, both Part A and Part B of your form must be completed before it can be assessed. 

Incomplete applications

If something is unclear or there isn’t enough detail in your application we may need to ask for more information by:

• contacting you
• sending you a written “Request for Further Information” by post or email
• contacting your health professional indicated on your application to clarify your eligibility for a Companion Card.

An incomplete application delays processing times.