Information for Businesses and Organisations

Improve customer service and create a more inclusive society by becoming National Assistance Card Aware.
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The National Assistance Card helps people with disability and health conditions communicate their needs in everyday and emergency situations.

Businesses, organisations, and government services play an important role in making communities more inclusive and responsive. Being aware of the National Assistance Card can help your staff recognise the Card, understand its purpose, and respond with greater confidence and respect.

Why National Assistance Card awareness matters

Awareness of the National Assistance Card can:

  • support clearer communication between staff and customers
  • reduce misunderstandings in everyday and high-pressure situations
  • help staff respond calmly and appropriately
  • improve access, inclusion, and dignity for people with disability and health conditions
  • contribute to safer and more positive community interactions

Are you National Assistance Card Aware?

Download the National Assistance Card flyer for emergency services to share with your team or display at your workplace.

Download

National Assistance Card Poster

Download this poster to display at your workplace to inform people your service is National Assistance Card-aware.

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.
The front of National Assistance Card

The front of the National Assistance Card has a white background with a red border. In the top left corner is the National Assistance Card logo, which features a stylised square icon in blue and red alongside the text "National Assistance Card" with a registered trademark symbol. The top left features the National Assistance Card logo. Large text reads, “Your understanding and assistance is appreciated.” Below, it shows “First Name Last Name” and pronouns. In the top right corner is braille spelling “NAC”. On the right side of the card is a portrait photo placeholder shown as a blue silhouette of a person inside a rounded rectangle outline. Below the photo, there is text appear in small black font: "DOB: 01/02/1990".

Front of the card
The back of National Assistance Card

The back of the National Assistance Card has a white background with a red border. The content is arranged in two columns. In the left column, the following text appears in bold black: "I live with brain injury." Below this in regular weight: "I also have other disabilities and/or conditions." A second bold heading reads: "I may need understanding or support with:" followed by a bulleted list of five items: coordination difficulties, communication difficulties, anger management difficulties, being non-speaking, and sensory overload (light, sound, smell, touch). Below the list, a bold heading reads: "My nominated contact person" followed by two lines in regular weight: "Full name" and "Phone number." At the bottom are “Police Assistance Line: 131 444” and the website www.nationalassistancecard.com.au In the right column, red text reads “Scan to understand my needs” above a QR code.

Back of the card

What to do when you are shown the Card

If you are shown a National Assistance Card, you should:

  • Read the card and ask the cardholder how you can help them
  • Be friendly and respectful
  • Use clear, plain language (you do not need to be loud and slow).

If asked or needed, you can:

  • Scan the QR code to find out more about the cardholder and how you can help
  • Call the cardholder’s contact person
  • Help to contact emergency services (e.g., police or ambulance).

Why might someone show you their Card?

A cardholder may show their Card:

  • to avoid or help with a misunderstanding
  • to tell you their needs (for example: needing extra time to complete an activity or task)
  • because they are feeling overwhelmed, confused, disoriented or unsafe.

Apply for the National Assistance Card

Apply now →