Are you looking into the Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards and are not sure which you’re eligible for? Maybe you’ve already realised you’re ineligible for the Pensioner Concession Card; well, you’re in the right place.

You may just be eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, which provides cheaper health care and some additional discounts.



‘How do I know if I’m eligible?’

If you are over the age of sixty and are still earning quite a substantial amount of money, you’re still entitled to receive assistance from the government that isn’t just via a state-issued Senior Card, and that is by applying for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).



Your eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card depends on your circumstances, and according to Services Australia, you can get the card if you meet the following conditions:

• Be Age Pension age
• Meet residence rules
• Not be getting an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs
• Be able to provide Services Australia with a Tax File Number* or be exempt from doing so
• Meet the identity requirements of Services Australia

*You must also provide your partner's tax file number (where relevant) unless you're exempt.



You are also required to meet the following income test requirements*, which include earning less than the following:

• $95,400 per year if you are single
• $152,640 per year if you are a couple
• $190,800 per year (combined) if you are a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison.
• If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per child, per year.

You may be eligible for this even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:

• Your income and assets
• The pension assets test on 1 January 2017.
• You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are widowed or separated from a partner who receives either: the age pension or the invalidity service pension.

Of course, if you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

There are multiple benefits to holding a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and that is why it is a great card to apply for, even if you are a self-funded retiree. The benefits include discounts and concessions on health care as well as other living costs.



In regards to health care, with a CSHC you can get cheaper prescription medicines including prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each and free prescriptions once you spend up to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net limit in a calendar year. To learn more about this limit, we recommend you read this.

Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments which is extremely helpful, especially if you head to your GP frequently for checkups. However, many GPs are struggling to cope with the current pressure on the Medicare Health Scheme so may not be able to bulk bill, you can read more about this here.

Additional benefits of the CSHC include discounts and concessions on the below.

• Electricity and gas bills
• Property and water rates
• Ambulance services
• Dental treatment
• Eye care
• Public transport fares.

Please note that the concessions differ in each state and territory, so to find out exactly what concessions you can access with this card, we recommend reading this website. While the website is for DVA clients, the information still applies whether or not you are a Veteran.

The CSHC is very easy to use, all you have to do is show your card each time you visit your GP or pharmacy. If you’re looking to get a concession on eligible bills, you need to apply to the organisation that provides you with that specific service. You can do this by applying for the concessions through the Government concessions in your state or territory here, of course before you do so, you need to ensure you have your CSHC ready when they ask for your details!



So, if you’re a self-funded retiree and believe you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card then you can apply for one by using any of the below services:

• Apply through Services Australia via this website.
• Apply through your MyService account with the Department of Veterans' Affairs via this website.
• Or if you’re a Veteran apply by filling out this form and sending it to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs via mail.

So there you have it! If you are eligible for this card but don’t have it yet, we recommend applying for one immediately and taking advantage of the concessions that are available to you.

Editor's note: The income test thresholds have been updated to reflect regular indexation changes as of September 20, 2023.