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It’s a common misconception that older Australians are only eligible for concession cards if they are on the Age Pension. Not only are self-funded retirees eligible for certain cards, but some concessions may be available even if you’re not yet retired.
There are a range of concession cards that Australian seniors and pensioners may be eligible for. Depending on the card, you may be entitled to cheaper medicines and discounts on services such as public transport, council rates and power bills.
Seniors Card
Who is eligible?
In Australia, you’re generally eligible to apply for a Seniors Card from your state or territory government once you turn 60 and are no longer working full time.
The cards are non-means tested, but eligibility criteria and the benefits you’re entitled to vary depending on where you live.
The benefits
Examples of potential benefits include discounts on government services such as public transport, council rates and utilities like electricity. You’ll also be entitled to any discounts or special deals offered by commercial businesses to Senior Card holders.
How to apply
Pensioner Concession Card
Who is eligible?
If you’re eligible for the Age Pension, even if only a small part pension, you’ll be eligible for the Pensioner Concession Card.
The benefits
A Pensioner Concession Card entitles you to cheaper health care and medicines.
How to apply
You don’t need to apply for a Pensioner Concession Card. If you qualify for the Age Pension, you will automatically receive one from the Department of Human Services. This card is valid for two years and will be renewed automatically every two years if you’re still receiving the Age Pension.
You must let the Department know within 14 days if a change in your circumstances could affect your eligibility to continue receiving the Age Pension (and therefore your entitlement for the renewal of a Pensioner Concession Card). For example, if your income or assets change.
In addition, if you leave Australia for longer than six weeks, you must also inform the Department and your Age Pensioner Card will be cancelled.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Who is eligible?
If you’re ineligible for the Pensioner Concession Card, all is not lost. You may qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which is the next best thing.
You must meet all the following criteria to qualify for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card:
- You have reached your Age Pension eligibility age
- You’re not eligible to receive any payment from the Department of Human Services (including the Age Pension) or from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- You’re an Australian resident and you live in Australia (or you hold a special category visa as a New Zealand citizen living in Australia)
- You satisfy an annual income test (that has different thresholds to the Age Pension income test).
The benefits
If you hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you’re entitled to receive the following federal government benefits:
- Cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The cost of medicines listed under the PBS are subsidised by the Australian government
- Bulk-billed doctor visits (at the discretion of your chosen doctor)
- A larger Medicare refund on medical costs for any out-of-hospital costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net. The Medicare Safety Net Threshold (set on 1 January each year) for concession card holders in 2021 is $697. If you exceed that amount in out-of-pocket hospital costs, you’ll be refunded 80% of the amount.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders were also entitled to the series of one-off economic support payments paid as part of the COVID-19 stimulus. The last of these payments was made in March 2021.
How to apply
You can apply for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card from the Department of Human Services once you’ve reached your Age Pension eligibility age. Once issued, it is valid for one year. It will be automatically renewed by the Department of Human Services every year, provided you continue to satisfy all eligibility requirements.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card should not be confused with a Health Care Card or a Low Income Health Care Card. If you receive some forms of government payments (excluding the Age Pension), you may also be entitled to receive a Health Care Card. You can potentially receive the Low Income Health Care Card if you’re receiving the Age Pension and satisfy all the other eligibility requirements outlined in the next section.
Low Income Health Care Card
Who is eligible?
A Low Income Health Card is available if you meet all the following criteria:
- You’re over the age of 19
- You’re an Australian resident and you live in Australia, or you hold one of the following visas:
- A permanent resident visa
- A special category visa (New Zealand citizens)
- A partner provisional visa
- A temporary protection visa
- You satisfy an annual income test (that has different thresholds to the Age Pension income test).
The benefits
A Low Income Health Care Card provides similar benefits as a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, namely:
- Cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The cost of medicines listed under the PBS are subsidised by the Australian government
- Bulk-billed doctor visits (at the discretion of your chosen doctor)
- A larger Medicare refund on medical costs on any out-of-hospital costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net. The Medicare Safety Net Threshold for concession card holders is currently $697. If you exceed that amount in out-of-pocket hospital costs you’ll be refunded 80%.
One exception was the economic support payment paid as part of the COVID-19 stimulus, which Low Income Health Care Card holders were not entitled to.
However, the main difference between the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and the Low Income Health Card are the eligibility requirements to obtain each one.
How to apply
You must apply to the Department of Human Services for a Low Income Health Care Card. Once issued, it’s valid for one year.
Other concession cards
If you have served with the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides a range of health concession cards. Healthcare and pharmaceutical benefits are available, depending on whether you have seen active service during your time with the Australian Defence Force.
The bottom line
A range of concession cards with different eligibility requirements are available to Australian seniors and pensioners. These cards entitle holders to a range of benefits. Senior Cards are available from your local state or territory government. If you’re receiving the Age Pension, you’ll be entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card. If you’re not receiving the Age Pension, you may be entitled to a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
The information contained in this article is general in nature.
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