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Low Income Health Care Card - Income Test

This income test is effective from 20 September 2008. Your Low Income Health Care Card is assessed on gross income for the eight week period ending the day you lodge your claim. Your income must be below the limit that applies to you. This limit varies depending on whether you are single or coupled or have dependants.

What is the Maximum Gross Income to qualify for a Health Care Card?

Your income must be below the limit that applies to you for the eight week period for you to be eligible for a Low Income Health Care Card.

Status Weekly Income 8 weekly income
Single, no children $446 $3,568
Single, or couple combined, one child $777 $6,216
Partnered (combined), no children $743 $5,944
For each child, add $34 $272

Each time you apply or renew your Low Income Card, you will be required to re-qualify for the card. To be entitled to a new or renewed card, your weekly income must be no higher than the Maximum Gross Income required to qualify for a Health Care Card (as stated in the table above).

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What is the Maximum Gross Income to retain a Health Care Card?

Once you have been issued with a Health Care Card, your weekly income must not exceed the limits below during the entitlement period. The entitlement period is from the date of issue to the date the card expires or you lose entitlement to use the card.

If your income does change, you must tell Centrelink and we can work out if you are still qualified for the card and can continue to use it.

Status Weekly Income 8 weekly income
Single, no children $557.50 $4,460
Single, or couple combined, one child $971.25 $7,770
Partnered (combined), no children $928.75 $7,430
For each child, add $42.50 $340

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What is Income?

Income includes:

  • employment income - wages, salary and self-employment income
  • rental income
  • government pensions or benefits - Newstart Allowance, Parenting Payment, Age Pension, ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance, Farm Help and Special Benefit
  • tax-free pensions or benefits - Disability support pension, Carer payment and Wife Pension
  • Veteran Affairs payments
  • deemed income from financial investments such as bank accounts, managed investments and shares
  • Income from income stream products such as allocated pensions, annuities, and superannuation pensions
  • foreign income
  • private trusts and companies
  • compensation
  • New Enterprise Incentive Scheme or Community Development Employment Project.

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