Concession and health care cards, explained
A concession card won’t change your life, but it can take the edge off the chemist bill, and some household bills too. If you or someone you care for gets a Centrelink payment, lives on a low income or has reached Age Pension age, there may be a card you’re entitled to, or one you already have and aren’t using fully.
- Free, no sign-up needed
- Amounts checked on servicesaustralia.gov.au, as at October 2026
- For older people, families, carers and participants
What a concession card can save you
Services Australia says concession and health care cards can get you cheaper health services and medicines. In practice, that means:
- Cheaper PBS medicines. Since 1 January 2026, a PBS prescription costs card holders up to $7.70, compared with up to $25.00 for general patients.
- The PBS Safety Net. Once a card holder (or their family) spends $277.20 on PBS medicines in a calendar year, PBS medicines are free for the rest of that year. For general patients the threshold is $1,748.20. You’ll need to apply for a PBS Safety Net card when you reach it.
- Bulk billed doctor visits, if your doctor chooses to bulk bill card holders. It’s up to the doctor, so ask.
- State, council and business discounts. Depending on the card, these can include help with electricity and gas bills, rates, ambulance, dental and eye care, and public transport fares. Some businesses offer discounts too.
A more expensive brand of the same medicine can cost you more, even with a card. Ask your pharmacist if there’s a cheaper brand. You can also combine your family’s PBS amounts to reach the Safety Net sooner.
Which card fits your situation
There are several cards, and the names are confusingly similar. Here’s each one in plain English, from Services Australia’s own rules.
If you get a pension, or certain other payments
You can get a Pensioner Concession Card if you get Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension or Parenting Payment single. Some people on JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment partnered or Special Benefit can also get one, for example if you’re 60 or older and have been on one of those payments for more than 9 months, or if you have a partial capacity to work.
You don’t need to apply. If you’re eligible, it’s posted to you. It’s valid for 2 years, and a new one arrives 4 to 6 weeks before it expires.
If you get certain payments or supplements
A Health Care Card comes with payments including JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Parenting Payment partnered, Family Tax Benefit Part A at the maximum rate, Carer Payment for short-term care under 6 months, and Mobility Allowance if you don’t get DSP.
If you get Carer Allowance for a child under 16, the card is for the child in your care. You don’t need to apply, and the card is valid for one year.
If you’re on a low income
This one is about income, not a payment. There’s no assets test. Services Australia looks at your gross income (before tax) in the 8 weeks before you claim or renew. To claim, it must be under:
- $826.00 a week ($6,608.00 over 8 weeks) if you’re single with no children
- $1,410.00 a week ($11,280.00 over 8 weeks) for a couple with no children, or a single person with one child
- $1,444.00 a week ($11,552.00 over 8 weeks) for a couple with one child
- plus $34.00 a week ($272.00 over 8 weeks) for each extra child.
You need to claim this card, and renew it every year. Once you have it, a higher limit applies to keep it (for example, $1,032.50 a week for a single person with no children).
If you’ve reached Age Pension age but don’t get a pension
For people who’ve reached Age Pension age and don’t get an income support payment from Centrelink or DVA. There’s no assets test, but there is an income test. As at 20 September 2026, your annual income for the test must be under:
- $105,048 a year if you’re single
- $168,076 a year for a couple
- $210,096 a year for a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison
- plus $639.60 for each child in your care.
The test looks at your adjusted taxable income (and your partner’s) plus deemed income from some account-based income streams, like account-based pensions. You need to claim this card. It’s valid for 2 years.
If you’ve grown up with a Carer Allowance card
For full-time students aged 16 to 25 who had a Carer Allowance Health Care Card the day before they turned 16. It’s valid for one year, and you need to renew it each year.
How to get one, and get the most from it
- Check if it’s automatic. The Pensioner Concession Card and Health Care Card are posted to you if you’re eligible. The Low Income Health Care Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card need a claim, usually through your Centrelink online account in myGov.
- Show it every time at the pharmacy and when you book a doctor.
- Ask your GP whether they bulk bill card holders.
- Track your PBS spending and apply for a PBS Safety Net card when you reach the threshold.
- Check state concessions. NSW lists its payments and concessions on nsw.gov.au.
- Keep it safe. Your card shows personal details. You can ask Services Australia not to print your address or your partner’s details on it.
- Tell Services Australia about changes in income or circumstances, so your card stays valid.
Already have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and need help with it? The Disability and carers line is 132 717, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Your concession card checklist
Tick these off as you go. The same checklist is in the PDF, ready to print.
- Work out which card fits you (or the person you care for).
- If it’s automatic, check it arrived and the details are right.
- If you need to claim, set up myGov and link it to Centrelink.
- Put the renewal date in your diary.
- Show your card at the pharmacy every time.
- Ask your GP if they bulk bill card holders.
- Ask your pharmacist about cheaper brands.
- Keep track of PBS spending for the Safety Net.
- Check NSW concessions for energy, rates and travel.
- Tell Services Australia if your income or circumstances change.
Help at home, from people who know the system
Every dollar matters when you’re living on a pension or caring on a tight budget. We don’t issue cards or give financial advice. What we do is practical support at home, and we’ve done it for older people and people with disability since 2017, with the same support worker every visit.
CHSP domestic assistance
Government-funded help with household tasks for eligible older people in Northern Sydney and the Southern Highlands.
Aged care services →NDIS daily living support
Personal care and help at home from a registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY).
Daily living support →Private help at home
Cleaning, reorganising and home help for anyone, with the price confirmed in writing before any booking.
See prices →If you’d like help at home, for yourself or someone you care for, call 0437 733 744 and we’ll talk it through.
Questions people ask
What’s the difference between a Health Care Card and a Pensioner Concession Card?
Both give you cheaper PBS medicines and can open up other discounts. The Pensioner Concession Card comes with pensions such as Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension. The Health Care Card comes with payments such as JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and some carer payments. The Low Income Health Care Card is for people on a low income who may not get a payment.
How much do PBS medicines cost with a concession card?
From 1 January 2026, up to $7.70 per PBS prescription for concession card holders, compared with up to $25.00 for general patients. Once a card holder reaches the $277.20 PBS Safety Net threshold in a calendar year, PBS medicines are free for the rest of that year. A more expensive brand can still cost extra.
Do I need to apply for a concession card?
Not always. The Pensioner Concession Card and Health Care Card are posted to you if you’re eligible. You need to claim the Low Income Health Care Card and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Can I get a card if I don’t get a Centrelink payment?
Possibly. The Low Income Health Care Card is based on your income, with no assets test. The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is for people who’ve reached Age Pension age and don’t get an income support payment, if they meet the income test.
Will my doctor bulk bill me if I have a card?
It’s up to your doctor. Services Australia says you can use your card for cheaper or free doctor appointments if your doctor bulk bills, so ask when you book.
How long does a concession card last?
The Pensioner Concession Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are valid for 2 years. The Health Care Card and Low Income Health Care Card are valid for one year, and the Low Income card needs renewing each year.
Sources
Every rule and amount in this guide was checked on these pages in October 2026. Amounts change, often on 1 January, 20 March and 20 September, so confirm with the source before you act.
- Services Australia: Concession and health care cards: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/concession-and-health-care-cards
- Services Australia: Pensioner Concession Card: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pensioner-concession-card
- Services Australia: Health Care Card: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/health-care-card
- Services Australia: Low Income Health Care Card, income test: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/income-test-for-low-income-health-care-card
- Services Australia: Low Income Health Care Card, benefits: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/benefits-low-income-health-care-card
- Services Australia: Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/commonwealth-seniors-health-card
- Services Australia: Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, income test: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/income-test-for-commonwealth-seniors-health-card
- Services Australia: PBS Safety Net thresholds: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pbs-safety-net-thresholds
- PBS: Fees, patient contributions and safety net thresholds: www.pbs.gov.au/info/healthpro/explanatory-notes/front/fee
- NSW Government: Payments and assistance: www.nsw.gov.au/money-and-taxes/payments-and-assistance
General information only. This guide is not financial advice. Check your own eligibility with Services Australia.
Questions about your situation?
Call us and we’ll talk it through. If we can’t help, we’ll say so plainly and point you to someone who can.
Kinship Uniting Services · Registered NDIS provider 4-GWVHCEY · 39 Victory Road, Colebee NSW 2761. Operating in disability and aged care since 2017.