CONCESSION CARDS
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: eligibility and income test
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card may be worth checking if you have reached Age Pension age and do not receive an income support payment. Eligibility includes income, residence and other rules. This guide explains the card’s separate income test and possible benefits.
KEY RULES REVIEWED 5 OCTOBER 2026 • INCOME LIMITS EFFECTIVE 20 SEPTEMBER 2026
Income limits — no assets test.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) may be available once you reach Age Pension age and meet the income, residence and other eligibility rules. You generally cannot receive an income support payment at the same time. There is no assets test. The income test considers adjusted taxable income plus relevant deemed income from account-based income streams.
| Household | Income limit (per year) |
|---|---|
| Single | $105,048 |
| Couple (combined) | $168,076 |
| Couple separated by illness, respite care or prison | $210,096 |
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 can include taxable income, relevant foreign income, net investment losses, reportable fringe benefits and reportable super contributions. The CSHC test also adds deemed income from relevant account-based income streams. The rules depend on when the income stream was purchased or changed, when the card was granted, and your partner’s circumstances. Check the official income test and adjusted taxable income guide rather than using pension withdrawals alone.
What the card actually gets you
Benefits may include cheaper PBS medicines, bulk-billed doctor visits at the doctor’s discretion, and extra Medicare Safety Net benefits for eligible out-of-pocket costs. State, territory and local concessions vary. Energy Supplement is generally restricted to eligible older cardholders under grandfathering or transition rules; a new CSHC does not automatically qualify. Check card benefits and Energy Supplement eligibility.
Worked example
Illustrative example: Peter and his wife are both 68 and receive no income support payment. Their combined adjusted taxable income plus relevant deemed account-based income is $118,000, below the $168,076 couple income limit. They may qualify for the CSHC if they also meet the residence and other eligibility rules. Services Australia makes the final assessment.
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?
The Work Bonus does not reduce income for the CSHC income test. It applies to eligible pension payments. The CSHC uses its own adjusted-taxable-income and account-based-income-stream rules. See Work Bonus eligibility.
Does selling my home affect the income test?
The tax treatment of a home sale and how you use the proceeds can affect the result. Taxable investment earnings may enter adjusted taxable income; amounts placed in a relevant account-based income stream may be deemed. Check your own circumstances with Services Australia and a qualified tax adviser.
Is there a waiting period?
Residence rules apply. Newly arrived residents may need to wait 2 or 4 years, unless an exemption applies. See the official CSHC residence rules.
Apply this to your own plan.
Use Pension Pilot to organise your retirement assumptions and questions. Check CSHC eligibility directly with Services Australia, including residence rules and income-stream treatment. A Pension Pilot estimate is educational information and does not establish entitlement to a payment or card.