Welcome to Our First Newsletter for 2026!
I hope that you had an enjoyable and relaxing time over the Christmas and New Year period.
The celebrations continue this month with Lunar New year which falls on February 17th marking the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of energy, vitality, and freedom. I wish everyone good health, happiness, and boundless energy in the year ahead!
To celebrate, we have organised a special outing: “Chinese New Year Festival – Sydney” in mid-February. Don’t miss out – Book Now!
Our Summer Outings will continue throughout February, and we have had some extremely hot weather so please remember to take care in the heat. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, take a water bottle and hat when outdoors, or carry an umbrella for shade. Enjoy the last month of summer and meet new friends through our social outings. Click here to download the Summer Calendar—call us now to book!
Autumn is just around the corner! Our Autumn Social Outing Calendar for March–May is available to download now—click here. The physical copy will arrive in your letterbox in early February.
In this newsletter, we are also sharing an update on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment reduction coming in 2026 for Medicare card holders with a Concession card. See more details below.
Planning an oversea trip? We recommend adding vaccinations to your travel checklist well before you head to the airport. See details from NSW Health below. If you need transport to attend your vaccination appointment, call us to book now.
Cybersecurity is Important!
Learn how to protect yourself from scammers and cybercriminals with our 5 tips to stay secure online. Keep reading below to find out more.
Thank you for your support!!
Access Sydney Client Fees review
Fees for Access Sydney Social Outings will be increasing in 2026. As in the past, these increases will be kept to a minimum and further information will be provided closer to the implementation date.
New! Autumn Calendar (March – May)
Places book out quickly so get in early and plan your social outings in advance. Find out what’s on and be the first to book your seat. download now—Click here.
Robertson Pie Shop
New Sydney Fish Market
Art Gallery of NSW
Update: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment reduction 2026
From 1 January 2026, the maximum cost of PBS prescription medicines reduced from $31.60 to $25 for Medicare card holders. The concessional co-payment will remain at $7.70 until 2030. This change helps make medicines more affordable and supports Australians with cost-of-living pressures.
Add Vaccination To Your Travel Checklist
Travel protected. Arrive healthy. Before starting your journey, make sure vaccinations are on your checklist.
When to get vaccinated
You should consult your doctor or visit a travel health clinic 6 to 12 weeks before you leave Australia.
It is important to see your doctor early. If you do need vaccinations:
- your body needs time to develop full immunity
- you may need several doses of a vaccine to achieve full immunity.
5 Tips Keep yourself Secure Online
Don’t let scammers steal your identity or your money. Scammers often try to take advantage of others by pretending to be from the Government, bank, or even your local power company. Stay alert and keep your personal details private.
Check out our 5 tips below to keep yourself secure online
Learn more about How to use the internet securely
Making a whistle blower disclosure
You can report misconduct such as unlawful or unethical behaviour, without fear of reprisal. You can make a confidential report in person, via phone, online or e-mail to: Access Sydney or a responsible person or other employee of Access Sydney, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, a police officer, or an independent aged care advocate. You can also submit a report anonymously. You can find more information on our website here.
Giving feedback
Your feedback is important to us. You can tell us if you are happy with our service or wish to suggest improvements. If you are not satisfied with our services, you can make a complaint without fear of it affecting your services.
For more information, or to provide feedback or make a complaint,
visit our website here.
