The new financial year has begun, which means you might now qualify for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).
The CSHC is a means-tested card that provides concessions on health-related costs for eligible seniors.
Those who already have a CSHC, and are still eligible, will receive a new one by the end of September. It will be valid for up to two years, expiring at the end of your birth month. From then on, you’ll be sent a new CSHC every two years before your old one expires.
The card gives you access to cheaper medicines and medical bulk billing, as well as several other state and federal concessions.
So, what is the CSHC and how do you know if you’re eligible?
The CSHC explained
The CSHC is not the same as a Health Care Card or a Low Income Health Care Card, even though those concession cards are also issued by Services Australia. Those cards have different eligibility requirements and income tests to the CSHC.
The CSHC is a concession card that delivers cheaper healthcare and some lifestyle discounts if you’ve reached Age Pension age. Cards are issued at the start of the financial year.
You have to apply for the CSHC, and it is a separate application than a claim for the Age Pension.
As the CSHC is income based, it means that you are able to use the (projected) income from this current financial year as a basis for your claim, if it is likely to bring you under the threshold.
Are you eligible for a CSHC?
You can apply for a CSHC if you meet these requirements.
You must have reached Age Pension eligibility age
The current eligibility age for the Age Pension as of 1 July 2023 is 67, after being lifted from 65 in six-month increments progressively since 2017.
You must live in Australia and meet the residence rules
You’ll need to be living in Australia when you claim a CSHC and must be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa, or hold a Special Category Visa as a New Zealand citizen living in Australia. You must continue to meet the residence rules the whole time you are using the CSHC.
Most newly arrived residents have to wait two to four years before being eligible for the CSHC. You must satisfy residence rules while you’re using the card.
You must provide a Tax File Number (TFN)
You’ll need to provide Services Australia with your TFN or be exempt from doing so.
Meet the identity requirements
You will need to prove your identity to Services Australia before you are entitled to receive a CSHC.
If you are claiming a benefit from Services Australia for the first time, you need to provide an acceptable photo identity document (such as drivers’ licence or passport) in person at a service centre. Otherwise, you will need to provide your existing Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN).
Your income must fall under the annual CSHC income threshold
The CSHC income threshold is different to the Age Pension income test. There is no assets test for the CSHC and assets such as your family home are not counted.
To meet the income test, the assessable income must be below the following thresholds:
- $90,000 for singles
- $144,000 for couples
- $180,000 for couples separated by illness, respite care or prison.
If you are caring for a child, you can earn an extra $639.60 per year.
You may be eligible for a CSHC even if you are no longer receiving a pension because of changes to:
- your income and assets
- the pension assets test.
You may also be eligible for a CSHC if you are widowed or separated from a partner who receives either:
- Age Pension
- invalidity service pension.
If you already have a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), you will not be eligible for a CSHC.
Account-based income streams
Services Australia assesses your account-based income streams as part of the income test. This includes account-based pensions and account-based annuities.
The balance of your account-based income stream is subject to deeming, which assumes investments are earning a certain rate of income.
Deeming rules will only apply if any of the following occurs:
- you bought or changed it on or after 1 January 2015
- you own it and were granted your Commonwealth Seniors Health Card after 31 December 2014
- your partner owns it and they are 60 years old or more.
Health benefits provided
You can get cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The benefits include:
- prescriptions at the concession rate of $7.30 each
- free prescriptions once you spend up to the PBS Safety Net limit in a calendar year.
Your GP may also be able to bulk bill your medical appointments.
Benefits for other living costs
You can also use your card to get discounts and concessions on:
- electricity and gas bills
- property and water rates
- ambulance services
- dental treatment
- eye care
- public transport fares.
To find out more about the CSHC, visit the Services Australia website.
Do you have a CSHC? Were you aware that you might be eligible to receive one? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Will you be eligible for Rent Assistance?
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I have a CSHC, but unless you also have a WA Seniors card, you can’t get most of the discounts. Unfortunately I have to work full time as my hubby had an accident. So it’s only good for cheaper meds & public transport.
Hubby has a WA seniors card, though we no longer live in WA. He will apply for a CSHC and go through all the centrelink BS.
Honestly, they have access to our tax records and bank accounts, and we still have to send them everything each time. They know what everyone earns, why can’t they be proactive and just do it without us having to go through all this crap each time?
We don’t get any support at all as we have assets. That we worked hard and saved for. Every time we have dealt with centrelink or NON-Services Australia someone ends in tears. Usually me.
We have had the CSHC for many years but there is no discount for
– electricity and gas bills
– property and water rates
– dental treatment
– eye care