CONCESSION CARDS
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: income limits and what it actually saves you
Missed out on the Age Pension because you’re over the assets test cutoff? The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has no assets test at all — only an income test — and it’s often overlooked by people who assume they don’t qualify for anything.
OFFICIAL RULES CHECKED 22 AUGUST 2026
Income limits — no assets test.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is available to people of Age Pension age who don’t qualify for the Age Pension itself — commonly because they’re over the assets test cutoff. Unlike the Age Pension, the CSHC has no assets test whatsoever. Only your adjusted taxable income matters.
| Household | Income limit (per year) |
|---|---|
| Single | $95,400 |
| Couple (combined) | $152,640 |
| Couple separated by illness, respite care or prison | $190,800 |
Add $639.60 to these limits for each dependent child in your care. Reviewed by Services Australia each 20 September in line with the Consumer Price Index. Source: Services Australia — CSHC income test.
What counts as income — and the deeming catch.
Adjusted taxable income includes taxable income, foreign income, salary sacrificed super, and net investment losses. It also includes deemed income from account-based pensions and annuities purchased or changed on or after 1 January 2015 — so a large super pension balance can push you over the limit even if you draw the legislated minimum.
What the card actually gets you
Cheaper PBS prescription medicines, a larger PBS safety net threshold, access to bulk-billed GP visits in some areas (at the doctor’s discretion), and eligibility for the Australian Government’s Energy Supplement — plus state and territory concessions such as reduced council rates, utilities and public transport, which vary by state.
Worked example
Peter, 68, and his wife own their home outright plus $1.1 million in shares and super — well over the Age Pension assets test cutoff, so they receive no pension. Their combined taxable income, including deemed income from their account-based pensions, is $118,000 — under the $152,640 couple limit. They’re eligible for the CSHC even though they get zero Age Pension.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need to be Age Pension age?
Yes — you must have reached Age Pension age (currently 67) and not be receiving an income support payment.
Can I get the CSHC and the Work Bonus?
Yes. If you’re working, the Work Bonus can offset some of your employment income when it’s assessed for the CSHC income test, the same as it does for the Age Pension.
Does selling my home affect the income test?
Not directly through capital gain, but proceeds you invest afterwards may generate deemed income that counts toward the limit.
Is there a waiting period?
No standard waiting period applies once you meet the age and income requirements — you can apply as soon as you’re eligible.
Apply this to your own plan.
Pension Pilot’s report checks both the Age Pension and CSHC income thresholds against your numbers, so you know exactly which support you qualify for — not just whether you get a pension. These figures are educational and should be checked against official Services Australia sources before you apply.