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The Hearing Services Program (Free & Subsidised Hearing Aids)
Sources
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Hearing Services Program: eligibility, accessing services, and what is covered. hearingservices.gov.au; health.gov.au.
Hearing Australia — Community Service Obligations stream (children/young people under 26, ATSI 50+, remote communities). hearing.com.au.
Eligibility criteria can change — confirm current details with the official eligibility checker. Current as at June 2026.
A plain-English guide to the Australian Government Hearing Services Program — who qualifies, what is covered, what it costs, and how to access it.
The quick version
If you are eligible, the Hearing Services Program gives you a free hearing assessment and fully or partially subsidised hearing aids. It is run by the Department of Health and sits outside Medicare. You do not need a GP referral — once you know you are eligible, you contact an accredited provider directly.
Am I eligible? Quick check
This is general information about scheme eligibility, not medical advice. The official eligibility checker (linked below) confirms your exact situation.
Two ways in
Voucher Scheme. For people aged 21 and over who hold a qualifying card or referral (see the check above). You receive a voucher — valid for 5 years — that covers your assessment, fitting and a subsidised device through an accredited provider.
Community Service Obligations (CSO), via Hearing Australia. Covers children and young people under 26, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, and people in many remote communities — contact Hearing Australia.
What is covered
Hearing assessment by a qualified clinician to check whether you have hearing loss and would benefit from a device.
Hearing aids: a range of fully subsidised devices at no cost, plus fitting and follow-up. You can choose to pay a top-up for a higher-feature device if you want one.
Maintenance: an optional annual maintenance agreement (a small fee) covers batteries, repairs and servicing.
What it costs
For eligible people the assessment and a range of hearing aids are free. Costs only arise if you choose a premium device above the fully subsidised range (a top-up), or take the optional maintenance agreement. A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card on its own does not make you eligible.
How to access it
Confirm your eligibility using the Australian Government’s hearingservices.gov.au eligibility checker. Then choose an accredited provider near you and contact them directly — no GP referral is needed. If you are unsure whether your hearing needs attention, your GP can examine your ears and talk through your options first.
This page explains how a government scheme works. It is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace your GP or an audiologist. Always confirm your eligibility with the official checker at hearingservices.gov.au.