Navigating your way around applying for a health care card can be a daunting and complex process. Importantly though, concession and health care cards can get you cheaper health services and medicines.
Health Care Card
This card gives you access to cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and to various concessions from the Australian Government.
You’ll get a Health Care Card if you live in Australia and get:
- Newstart Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Youth Allowance as a job seeker
- Partner Allowance
- Parenting Payment (partnered)
- Widow Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Carer Payment – for short term or irregular care less than 6 months
- the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A
- Mobility Allowance – if you’re not receiving Disability Support Pension
- Carer Allowance – for a child under 16 – the card is for the child in your care only
- Farm Household Allowance
Health care cards are usually valid for 12 months.
You don’t need to apply for a Health Care Card, Centrelink will send you one if you are eligible.
A Health Care Card entitles you to cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
You may be eligible for other concessions from the Australian Government. Some of these concessions may also be available for a dependent child.
Benefits could include:
- bulk billing for doctor’s appointments, as decided by your doctor
- 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
State and territory governments and local councils may offer concessions such as:
- energy and electricity bills
- healthcare costs, including ambulance, dental and eye care
- public transport costs
- rates
Please check with your state and territory government about what concessions are available to Health Care Card holders. Concessional entitlements may vary between states and territories.
When using Medicare services, you need to present your Medicare card.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
This card gives older Australians cheaper health care and some concessions.
- anAustralian resident, or
- the holder of aSpecial Category visa, and
- living in Australia
To keep using your card
You must continue to be an Australian resident for as long as you hold this card.
What may be different
Newly arrived residents generally have a 104 week waiting period, with some exemptions.
You can get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if you:
- can’t get a payment from us or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- have reached age pension age
- meet the income test
- are an Australian resident or you hold a special category visa
Your card is valid for 1 year. We will send you a new card each year in August, if you remain eligible.
You must tell us your and your partner’s tax file numbers, unless you are exempt.
Income test
You must meet an income test to get the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. We review this test on 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.
The income test will look at your:
- adjusted taxable income
- a deemed amount from account based income streams
To pass the income test, you must earn no more than:
- $52,796 a year if you’re single
- $84,472 a year for couples
- $105,592 a year for couples separated by illness, respite care or prison
Add $639.60 to these amounts for each child in your care.
There is no assets test.
Account based income streams
We look at your account based income streams as part of the income test. Account based income streams include account based pensions and account based annuities.
The balance of an account based income stream is subject to deeming. Deeming assumes that financial investments are earning a certain rate of income.
Deeming rules will only apply if:
- you bought or changed it on or after 1 January 2015
- you own it and your Commonwealth Seniors Health Card was granted after 31 December 2014
- your partner owns it and they are 60 years old or more
Benefits
- With your card you can get cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- bulk billed doctor visits – this is up to your doctor
- a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net
Other benefits
Your state or territory government and local council may offer you more. They may lower your:
- electricity and gas bills
- property and water rates
- health care costs, including ambulance, dental and eye care
- public transport fare
Read more about what you can get where you live on the australia.gov.au website.
You may need to show your:
- Medicare card to get Medicare services
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to get other benefits
Low Income Health Care Card
This card gives you cheaper health care and some concessions if you’re on a low income.
Residence rules
On the day you apply for the Low Income Health Care Card you must be:
- living in Australia, and
- in Australia
You must also be:
- an Australian citizen, or here on a:
To keep using your card
You must meet these rules for the whole time you’re using the card. For example, if you no longer hold a valid visa you can’t keep using the card.
How long you need to have been a resident
If you hold of one of the visas mentioned above, you must have been living in Australia for 104 weeks before you can get a card.
What may be different
You may be exempt from serving the 104 weeks if you:
- are an Australian citizen
- arrived in Australia as a refugee
- hold a specific visa subclass, or
- things have changed and you’re going through hardships beyond your control
You may be able to get a Low Income Health Care Card if your income is below the limit in the income test.
You don’t need to pass an assets test.
Children on your card
If your child’s name is on your card you can use it for their expenses.
We can put your dependent child on your card if:
- you’re their main carer or
- they live with you for at least 2 nights every fortnight
They must be:
- under 19 if you’re supporting them while they study
Students and Australian Apprentices
You may be able to get the card if you’re on:
Call the Students and trainees line to apply.
Read about the non-income-tested Low Income Health Care Card.
- cheaper medicine under thePharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- bulk billed doctor visits – this is up to your doctor
- a bigger refund for medical costs when you reach theMedicare Safety Net
Your dependent child may be able to get some of these.
Other benefits
Your state or territory government and local council may offer you more. They may lower your:
- electricity and gas bills
- property and water rates
- public transport fare
- motor vehicle registration
Read more about what you can get where you live on the Australia.gov.au website.
Private companies may also offer you concessions if you show them your card.
Total Advice Partners are available to assist with all your enquiries. Please feel free to contact us at any time to discuss your situation and financial needs.
(P) (07) 3284 7875 | (F) (07) 3284 4790
