You must have reached Age Pension age.
Concession cards
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card explained
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card can help with cheaper health care and some discounts for people who have reached Age Pension age but are not receiving an income-support payment.
Practical guidanceUnderstand the options before making the decision.
At a glance
What to know first
Residence and income rules apply.
It is different from a Pensioner Concession Card and from state or territory Seniors Cards.
The practical detail
Work through the part that matters to you.
Who it is generally for
Services Australia describes the card as being for people who have reached Age Pension age, meet residence and income rules, and are not receiving an income-support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
It uses an income test
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has an income test. The way adjusted taxable income and some account-based income streams are treated can matter, particularly for couples and people with retirement income streams.
It is not the same as a Seniors Card
A state or territory Seniors Card is a different program. It can have different age, work and residency requirements and different local discounts.
Check the current rules
Official sources used for this guide.
Government rules and thresholds can change. These links take you to the source material used to prepare this page.
Services Australia
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Check the current government information before relying on eligibility, rates or rules.
Open official source →Services AustraliaWho can get a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Check the current government information before relying on eligibility, rates or rules.
Open official source →Related Later Life guides
Keep going only where it is useful.
Money & entitlements
Age Pension explained in plain English
Age Pension is the Australian Government’s main income-support payment for older Australians. Reaching the qualifying age is only one part of eligibility.
Read guide →Money & entitlementsPensioner Concession Card explained
The Pensioner Concession Card can provide cheaper health care, medicines and access to some concessions for people receiving qualifying Centrelink payments.
Read guide →Money & entitlementsSeniors Cards and concessions: what to check
Australia does not have one national Seniors Card. States and territories run their own programs, with their own eligibility rules and discounts.
Read guide →When general information is not enough
Talk it through with Liz.
Liz can help connect the general rules to the care and support questions in your own situation. For legal, tax or financial decisions, she will point you back to the appropriate professional or government source.