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Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card helps senior Australians with the cost of certain health and other services.



What does a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card do?

A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card helps with the cost of prescription medicines and other services (as listed below) if you are of Age Pension age but do not qualify for Age Pension.

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Do I qualify for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?

To qualify, you must:

  • be an Australian resident, living in Australia, and
  • not subject to a newly arrived residents waiting period, and
  • have reached age pension age but do not qualify for Age Pension (or do not receive certain other Social Security/Veteran Affairs pensions/benefits), and
  • have an annual adjusted taxable income* of:
    • less than $50 000 (singles)
    • $80 000 (couples combined), or
    • $100 000 (couples combined who are separated due to ill health).
    • The limit is increased by $639.60 for each dependent child you care for.

* 'Adjusted taxable income' is your taxable income plus net rental property loss, target foreign income (foreign income not normally taxed in Australia including fringe benefits) and employer provided fringe benefits in Australia.

Note: Dependants of Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders are not eligible for concessions using the cardholder's card.

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What services does the card help me with?

You will get a discount on prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). You may also need to present your Medicare Card when you purchase PBS medicines.

Other services may include:

  • Bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the GP (the Australian Government provides financial incentives for GPs to bulk-bill concession card holders).
  • a reduction in the cost of out-of-hospital medical expenses above a concessional threshold, through Medicare Safety Net.
  • in some instances, additional health, household, transport, education and recreation concessions which may be offered by State or Territory and local governments and private providers. Note: these providers offer these concessions at their own discretion, and the availability of these concessions may vary from state to state.

You may also be entitled to receive the following allowances:

  • Seniors Concession Allowance - a non-taxable payment made every six months to help with regular bills such as energy, rates and motor vehicle registration fees that are not available at a concessional rate.
  • Telephone Allowance - if you have a telephone connected in Australia in your own or your partner's name.

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How can I register an Intent to Claim?

You can register an Intent to Claim for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. This will ensure you are granted a card from the earliest possible date, if you qualify.

Once you have registered your Intent to Claim, a Centrelink Customer Service Officer will contact you within 2 days to assist you with your claim and send you a claim form.

If you cannot register yourself, someone else can do it for you, so you can register your Intent to Claim as soon as possible.

For how to register and more information, go to Intent to Claim.

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How do I claim a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?

To claim your Commonwealth Seniors Health Card you need to lodge a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card claim form. Couples can lodge their claims on one claim form.

Each person claiming a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card must provide:

  • a minimum of 50 points of identity and proof of Australian Residence
  • proof of their income.

Please Note: You cannot lodge a claim before you have reached Age Pension age.


How do I find out more?

For more information:

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