Pensioner Concession Card
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Eligibility
You can get a Pensioner Concession Card if you receive any of these payments:
- Age Pension
- Bereavement Allowance
- Carer Payment (adult)
- Carer Payment (child)
- Disability Support Pension
- Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (job seeker) if you are single, caring for a dependent child, and looking for work
- Parenting Payment (single)
You may also get a Pensioner Concession Card if you are aged over 60, and for more than 9 months have been receiving :
- Newstart Allowance
- Parenting Payment (partnered)
- Partner Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Widow Allowance
You may also get a Pensioner Concession Card if you have a partial capacity to work and you are receiving:
- Newstart Allowance
- Parenting Payment (partnered)
- Youth Allowance (job seeker)
Note: If you find a job, you may be able to keep your Pensioner Concession Card for a short time.
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Benefits
A Pensioner Concession Card entitles you to reduced cost medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
You may also be entitled to various concessions from the Australian Government—these could include:
- bulk billing for doctor’s appointments (this is your doctor’s decision)
- more refunds for medical expenses through the Medicare Safety Net
- assistance with hearing services through the Office of Hearing Services
- discounted mail redirection through Australia Post
Note: You may get some of these Australian Government concessions for a dependent child.
You may also be entitled to various concession from State and Territory Governments and local councils—these could include:
- reductions on property and water rates
- reductions on energy bills
- a telephone allowance
- reduced fares on public transport
- reductions on motor vehicle registration
- free rail journeys
Note: Pensioner Concession Card concessions are different in each State and Territory and vary between local councils.
More information
Other websites
- australia.gov.au - States and Territories
- Department of Health and Ageing - hearing services
- Medicare Australia - Medicare Safety Net
- Medicare Australia - your prescriptions
Claiming
If you are receiving an eligible Centrelink payment, you automatically receive a Pensioner Concession Card.
If you are still eligible, we automatically send you a new card each year in the month you were born.
If you disagree with a decision we make
You always have the right to appeal any decision made by Centrelink.
If you leave Australia
If you leave Australia temporarily, your card will remain current for up to 13 weeks as long as you remain entitled to your main payment. If you permanently, your card will be cancelled on departure.
Note: To make sure you get the right entitlements, contact us if you plan to leave Australia and also when you return.
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Change of circumstances
You need to tell is if your circumstances change. For instance, if you start or return to work or change address.
If you stop receiving your Centrelink payment, we will automatically cancel your Pensioner Concession Card.
You may be able to keep your Pensioner Concession Card for a short time after returning to work.
Find out more
On the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website
- Pensioner Concession Card section
Publications
Contact us
- phone us on 13 6150
- find your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre
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