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Low Income Health Care Cards

What are Low Income Health Care Card holders entitled to?

Low Income Health Care Card holders and any dependants listed on the card may be entitled to:

  • Commonwealth health concessions
  • concessions offered by private companies
  • reduced cost medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • State and Local Government concessions such as:
    • health care costs including ambulance, dental and eye care
    • public transport costs
    • water rates
    • energy and electricity bills.

Please note: When using services covered by Medicare you will need to present your Medicare Card.

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Do I qualify for a Low Income Health Care Card?

You can get a Low Income Health Care Card if you satisfy the Low Income Health Care Card - Income Test and:

  • are an Australian resident, or
  • are in Australia and hold a non protected special category visa, or
  • hold a visa subclass which entitles you to Special Benefit, and
  • have served the 104 week newly arrived residents waiting period or hold a qualifying residence exemption.

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What is the income test for a Low Income Health Care Card?

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Who needs to apply for a Low Income Health Care Card?

You will need to lodge a claim for a Low Income Health Care Card if you are a low income earner (who satisfies the Health Care Card Income Test) or if you are a Student or Australian Apprentice receiving one the following payments:

Customers receiving the following payments will automatically receive a Health Care Card and do not need to lodge a claim:

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How can I register an Intent to Claim?

You can register an Intent to Claim for the Low Income Health Care 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 apply for a Low Income Health Care Card?

Students or Australian Apprentices receiving ABSTUDY, Austudy or Youth Allowance can claim their Low Income Health Care Card by telephoning us on 13 2490.

To claim your Low Income Health Care Card you need to lodge a Low Income Health Care Card claim form. Couples can lodge their claims on a single Low Income Health Care Card claim form.

Each person claiming a Low Income Health Care Card must provide:

  • a minimum of 50 points of Identity and proof of Australian Residence (as specified on the claim form)
  • proof of their income for the eight week assessment period (as specified on the claim form).

Go to the Low Income Health Care Card claim form.

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How long will my Low Income Health Care Card last?

Your Low Income Health Care Card will be valid for a six month period starting from the date you lodge your claim. One month before your Low Income Health Care Card is due to expire you will be sent a Low Income Health Care Card Renewal claim form.

The Renewal claim form will determine your ongoing entitlement to a Low Income Health Care Card. Your entitlement is based on the eight week period of income you declare on the Renewal claim form.

To renew your Low Income Health Care Card, your gross income must be below the Low Income Health Care Card - Income Test limit that applies to you.

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How do I find out more?

For more information about what concessions are available in the state or territory you live in:

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