The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card assists eligible people who have reached the qualifying age for Age Pension with certain health and prescription costs.
Qualification
To qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card a person must:
- have reached the qualifying age for Age Pension (refer to the Services Australia website for the current qualifying age);
- be an Australian citizen, a holder of a permanent visa, or a Special Category Visa holder residing in Australia;
- a newly arrived resident’s waiting period of 208 weeks applies to claimants (104 weeks for Special Category Visa holders in Australia. Some exemptions may apply;
- not be receiving a social security pension or benefit, a Department of Veterans' Affairs Service Pension, Income Support Supplement or Veteran Payment;
- meet the requirements of an annual income test based on adjusted taxable income plus deemed income from account-based income streams (refer to the Services Australia website for current income thresholds).
A person is not required to undergo an assets test to qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Benefits for Cardholders
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders may benefit from:
- medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at the concessional rate, and once they reach the PBS safety net, will usually* be supplied with further PBS prescriptions without charge for the remainder of the calendar year;
- bulk-billed GP appointments (at the discretion of the doctor);
- reduced out-of-hospital medical expenses above a concessional threshold of the Extended Medicare Safety Net;
- Energy Supplement (if the cardholder has maintained eligibility since 19 September 2016); and
- Australia Post consessions.
State / territory and local governments and some private providers may offer some additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions.
*There are certain instances where this does not apply. Please refer to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme website for more information.
Further information
For further information or to apply for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card please contact Centrelink on 13 2300 or visit the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card section of the Services Australia website.
Last updated: 19 August 2024 - 2:48pm
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