Information for emergency services

Learn more about National Assistance Card emergency services

The National Assistance Card is a personalised communication tool to assist people with disability in a range of situations. The Card is available to autistic people and people with brain injury in Australia.

The Card includes key information about the cardholder’s unique areas of difficulty, the assistance they may need, and their emergency contact person’s details.

Why is it important to know about the Card?

For many people with disability, communication can be difficult, especially in emergencies. A cardholder may show you their Card to tell you what they need.

The information on the Card can help you decide how to manage the situation and best support the cardholder and ensure they are safe.

The Card is a legitimate and reliable resource. Cardholders must provide documentation from a medical or allied health professional to verify their disability.

Download Information PDF

Learn how to respond

If someone shows your their National Assistance Card, you can:

  • acknowledge you recognise the Card
  • ask the cardholder how you can assist them
  • read the card
  • scan the QR code to find out more about the cardholder
  • call the cardholder’s contact person if requested or you need to.

Recognising the National Assistance Card

The Card has a distinct appearance:

  • a white background
  • a red border
  • the cardholder’s photo
  • the National Assistance Card logo.
Front of the card
Back of the card

“The National Assistance Card helps emergency service personnel administer appropriate assistance should they attend a situation where a person with disability has become distressed or overwhelmed. The card allows the person to communicate their condition when they cannot otherwise do so.”

Inspector Toohey
Tasmania Police

“Whilst my needs aren’t huge, if I fallI look like I’m drunk but at least with this Card, it will help people to understand and has details of not only my deficits but also my emergency contact details.”

Saran
Cardholder

Apply for the National Assistance Card

Applications for the National Assistance Card are now available online through the secure application portal.
How to Apply →