Article highlights:
- WA Seniors Card holders can claim up to $400 per household towards eligible home security, fire safety and electrical safety items.
- Eligible items include security door screens, security window screens, deadlocks, alarms and sensor lights, with some items capped at $200 each.
- Electrical items must be installed by a licensed electrician, and any contractor installing security items must hold a security licence.
- You can apply online, by email, by post or in person once your items are paid for in full.
The WA Seniors Security Rebate gives WA Seniors Card holders up to $400 towards eligible security and safety items for their home, including security screen doors and window screens. You can only claim it once, and any amount you don’t use can’t be claimed later. That’s why it’s worth knowing exactly what qualifies before you buy.
At Clearview Security, we’ve been fitting security doors and screens to Perth homes for over 25 years, and security screen doors are one of the items this rebate covers. This guide shows you who can claim, what qualifies, the installation rules and how to apply, so you can get the most from your rebate.
What is the WA Seniors Security Rebate?
The WA Seniors Security Rebate is officially called the Safety and Security Rebate. Claims are handled by the WA Seniors Card Centre, which is part of the Department of Communities. It was reintroduced on 22 August 2021 and has no set end date, but the Department can close it at any time. It covers part of the cost of buying, installing or repairing eligible home security, fire safety and electrical safety items.
| Safety and Security Rebate | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rebate amount | Up to $400 per household, claimed once only |
| Who can claim | WA Seniors Card members (you must be a member when you buy the item) |
| Eligible homes | Your main home in WA, including rentals with landlord approval |
| Purchase date | On or after 22 August 2021 |
| What’s covered | Buying, installing or repairing eligible security, fire safety and electrical safety items |
| Proof of purchase | Copies of your dated receipts (not quotes or invoices) |
| How it’s paid | Paid straight into a bank account in your name |
| Contact | WA Seniors Card Centre on 1800 671 233 |
Who can claim the Seniors Card security rebate?
To claim the rebate, you need a current WA Seniors Card, and you must already have been a member when you bought the item. You can get a WA Seniors Card if you are:
- Aged 65 or over
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Living in Western Australia
- Retired, or working no more than 25 hours a week
The items must be for your main home in WA (the address on your Seniors Card account). Eligible homes include:
- Homes you own and live in
- Rentals, including public housing (with approval from your landlord or strata manager before you buy or install anything)
- Granny flats
- Retirement villages
- Caravans or park homes that are your main home
If you live in aged care, a hospital, a hostel or accommodation run by a religious order, you can’t claim. Only one rebate is allowed per household, so if your partner has already claimed, you can’t claim again.
What items can you claim?
The rebate covers home security, electrical safety and fire safety items, and each one has its own minimum spend and maximum rebate. Every item must also meet the relevant Australian Standards, which are the national rules for product safety and quality.
| Item | You need to spend at least | Most you can claim back |
|---|---|---|
| Home alarm or security cameras (CCTV) | $200 | $400 |
| Security door screens | $200 | $400 |
| Security window screens or shutters | $100 | $400 |
| Deadlocks (door or window) | $50 | $200 each |
| Security sensor lights | $50 | $200 each |
| Wi-Fi or wired video doorbells | $100 | $200 each |
| Safety switch (RCD) | None listed | $400 |
| Hard-wired smoke alarms | $100 | $200 each |
| Fire extinguishers | $25 each | $50 each (up to 2) |
| Fire blankets | $15 each | $25 each (up to 2) |
| Repairs to the items above (except fire extinguishers and blankets) | None listed | $400 |
All amounts are from the WA Seniors Card Centre’s guide on eligible items and Safety and Security Rebate terms.
You can also claim installation costs for eligible items, as long as your total rebate stays within $400. Monitoring or subscription fees for alarms, CCTV and video doorbells aren’t covered. Battery smoke alarms only qualify if your home has no mains power, or has no space to hide the wiring and no other suitable spot. The alarm must also have a 10-year battery that can’t be removed.
Installation and licensing rules
Some items must be installed by a licensed professional for your claim to be approved. The application form asks for their licence numbers, so check them before you book the work.
Security items. If you pay someone to install alarms, CCTV, security door screens or deadlocks, they must hold a valid security installer licence from WA Police. The business they work for must also hold a valid security agent licence.
Electrical items. Safety switches, hard-wired smoke alarms, and sensor lights or video doorbells connected to mains power must be installed by a licensed electrical contractor. This is a requirement under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. Your electrician should give you a safety certificate within 28 days of finishing the work.
Repairs. Any repairs to eligible items must be carried out by a qualified contractor who holds the right licence for the job.
Doing it yourself. You can install items yourself, as long as the job doesn’t involve any electrical work.
How to apply for the WA Seniors Security Rebate
You can apply once your items are installed. Here’s how to complete your claim, step by step.
- Pay for your items in full. Ask for a dated tax receipt in your name that shows the business name, ABN (Australian Business Number), the item or service, and the date. Quotes and invoices aren’t accepted as proof of purchase.
- Gather these documents.
- A signed copy of one current form of ID, such as your WA driver’s licence, Medicare card, Centrelink or DVA card, or Australian passport
- Copies of your receipts (don’t send the originals)
- The installer’s ABN and licence numbers
- Your bank account details (the account must be in your name)
- Choose one of these ways to apply.
- Apply online through your WA Seniors Card account
- Download the WA Seniors Security Rebate application form and post it to WA Seniors Card Centre, Locked Bag 3, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
- Email a scanned copy of the form to info@seniorscard.wa.gov.au
- Hand it in at the WA Seniors Card Centre (Level 2, 140 William Street, Perth) or at any Department of Communities customer service counter
- Receive your payment. Once your claim is approved, the rebate is paid straight into your bank account.
If you’d like a paper form posted to you, call the WA Seniors Card Centre on 1800 671 233.
Using your rebate on security screens
A security screen door or a set of window screens can use your whole $400 rebate in one purchase. Security screen doors need a minimum spend of $200, and window security screens need a minimum spend of $100. Both let fresh air in while keeping intruders out.
Every Crimsafe screen we fit exceeds the Australian security standards. Our range includes Crimsafe security doors and window screens, plus Safe-S-Cape screens for windows that need to open as an emergency exit.
If you’re thinking about a pet door, keep in mind that security doors with a pet door built in aren’t eligible for the rebate. We can talk you through your options when we measure up.
Book a free measure and quote
If you’re planning to use your WA Seniors Security Rebate on security screens, our team can help you choose the right doors and windows for your home. We offer free on-site quotes across Perth. Contact us online or call (08) 9443 8633 to arrange a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, security window film isn’t on the list of eligible items. For windows, the rebate covers security window screens or shutters.
Not on its own. The rebate is only for WA Seniors Card members, so you’ll need a WA Seniors Card to claim, even if you also hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Yes. If you received a rebate under the earlier scheme that ran from 2009 to 2015, you can still claim under the current scheme.
Some Perth councils run their own security rebates for older Western Australians, and you can apply for these as well as the state rebate. Check with your local council, since each scheme has its own rules and funding rounds.
