TELSTRA has announced it will increase the cost of paper bills and in-person bill payments by 60 per cent in a move seniors groups say is discriminatory and unfair.
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The company announced it would increase the monthly charge for non-electronic billing and payments to $3.20, up from $2, from November 28.
National Seniors chief executive Michael O'Neill said the fee hike was unfair to people who didn't use the internet, including vulnerable older clients.
He said while it was not a lot on its own, it was part of a growing shift to charge people higher administrative fees for older style transactions.
As more essential services went online, many older people were left at a disadvantage.
"As more companies and government services switch to online services, seniors are most at risk of being left behind in the digital divide," he said.
"(This) hike blatantly penalises those who do not have the internet or do not know how to use the internet, and those who prefer to do business the traditional way by receiving their bills on paper and paying them in person.
"In isolation, such a small charge would not be difficult to absorb, but these administrative charges and surcharges are becoming increasingly more common on a whole range of services.
"For folk who are working it's less of an issue, but if you're reliant on a low income a few dollars really adds up."
A Telstra spokesman said the fee would help offset the cost of processing, printing and producing paper bills.
He said pensioners and Health Care Card holders would be exempt from the increase.
About 980,000 Telstra customers claim a pensioner discount, including a reduced connection fee, and will be exempt from the new charge.
