Skip to navigation Skip to content

Concession cards and information 101-06000000

Expand/Collapse all sectionsExpand all



Publications

CO153 - A guide to concession cards

Rates and Thresholds

Services Australia website

Digital wallet

Getting a refund when you don’t have your cards

Using the myGov app

Determine what cards are eligible for a concession

Table 1

Item

Eligible Concession Card type

1

Prescription medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme at the concession rate

  • PCC cardholder and dependants
  • HCC cardholder and dependants
  • CSHC cardholder

2

Bulk-billed general practitioner appointments at the discretion of the doctor

  • PCC cardholder and dependants at the discretion of the concession provider
  • HCC cardholder and dependants at the discretion of the concession provider
  • CSHC cardholder

3

Increase in benefits for out-of-pocket, out-of-hospital medical expenses above a certain threshold through the Medicare Safety Net

  • PCC cardholder and dependants
  • HCC cardholder and dependants
  • CSHC cardholder

4

Assistance with certain hearing services such as hearing tests and hearing aids

  • PCC cardholder and dependants
  • HCC cardholder receiving JobSeeker Payment (JSP)/Youth Allowance (incapacitated) only

5

Discount on mail redirection through Australia Post

  • PCC cardholder
  • HCC cardholder receiving JobSeeker Payment (JSP)/Youth Allowance (incapacitated) only

6

State, territory and local government concessions

Concessions may be provided to cardholders and their dependants, at the discretion of the individual organisation. See Extra concession information.

7

Private businesses and other non-government organisations

Concessions may be provided to cardholders and their dependants, at the discretion of the individual organisation.


Usability and period of issue

Table 2

Concession card

Cardholder eligible

Partner eligible

Dependent children eligible

Period of issue / Reissue

Most Health Care Cards

Yes

Yes

Yes

1 year

reissued automatically if eligible

Ex-Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card

Yes

1 year

must reclaim each year

Low Income Health Care Card

Yes

Yes

Yes

1 year

must renew each year

Foster Child Health Care Card

Yes

1 year

reissued automatically if eligible

Mobility Allowance Health Care Card

Yes

1 year

reissued automatically if eligible

Carer Allowance Health Care Card

Yes

1 year

reissued automatically if eligible

Pensioner Concession Card

Yes

Yes

Yes

2 years

reissued to eligible customers 4-6 weeks before the end of their birth month

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Yes

2 years

reissued to eligible customers 4-6 weeks before the end of their birth month


Historical Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) annual bulk reissue

The final annual bulk reissue of CSHC was completed in September 2023, issuing all customers with a card due to expire on 30 September 2023 with a new card.

From 3 June 2023 the CSHC transitioned from a 1 year to a 2 year validity.

The expiry date of all new CSHC changed from 30 September, to aligning with the customer’s birth month. New card had a validity of 15 to 26 months, with the card expiring on the last day of customer’s birth month.