Seniors Card, Carer Card and Companion Card holders can now choose to add their card to the Service Queensland App, under changes announced on Wednesday (11 November) in a ministerial media statement from Minister for Customer Services Steve Minnikin. The digital cards are an option for those who choose to store their card on their phone.
The statement says there are now 22 digital licences and accreditations available in the Service Queensland App, including Queensland driver licences and 18+ cards, recreational marine licences and Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licences. Over the past two years the number has increased from three to 22, and the number of digital licence users has doubled to more than 1.5 million Queenslanders, according to the statement.
"Seniors, carers and companions can now add their cards digitally to the Service Queensland App and keep them alongside their digital driver licence and other credentials," Mr Minnikin said.
Physical Cards Remain Valid
Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Stoker said the new digital cards would make it easier for eligible Queenslanders to access important credentials. "This is a fast and convenient option for Queensland seniors, companions and carers to store their card in a digital wallet, if they choose," she said.
"Importantly, digital cards are optional and physical cards continue to remain valid, so Queenslanders can choose the option that works best for them."
Customers can add an eligible card by downloading or updating the Service Queensland App and following the prompts, the statement says, with support available via the Service Queensland store, the Service Queensland Mobile Service Centre, over the phone or online. The Service Queensland app page says the app is available from the Apple and Google app stores.
Flexibility for Older Queenslanders
Advocates for older Australians say the move to digitise the cards is positive, but flexibility and the option to keep a physical card is needed, ABC News reported on Friday (13 November).
National Seniors Australia chief executive Chris Grice told the ABC older Australians had gained vastly improved digital literacy skills in recent years. "There's a cohort of older Queenslanders that have embraced digital technology and are happy to use a digital card," he said. "But to still have that convenience of a physical card and physical in-person services are really important for seniors in Queensland."
Mr Grice said older Australians' concerns about digitisation lay more in personal and cyber-safety, and that older Queenslanders still needed to connect with physical services so they could validate what was on their phone. He said he expected take-up of the digital option to be relatively high.
The ABC reported the government also announced on Tuesday it would deliver a "service centre on wheels" that will visit communities across north and Far North Queensland in a regular circuit.