Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: Eligibility and how to apply

It can seem like there isn’t much help available when it comes to your retirement living expenses if you don’t qualify for the Age Pension.

But many people in this situation overlook the support a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) can provide. If you’re eligible, this concession card gives you access to cheaper healthcare, medications and, potentially, government services.

So, what is the CSHC and how do you get your hands on one?

What is the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?

The CSHC is a concessional card that allows you to get cheaper healthcare and some discounts if you’ve reached Age Pension age.

If you’re eligible for the CSHC, the benefits include:

• Cheaper prescription medicines: Medicines listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are subsidised by the federal government.
• Bulk-billed doctor visits: This is at the discretion of the doctor you choose.
• Access to the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) – Concessional benefit: This gives you a better Medicare refund for any out-of-hospital costs during a calendar year. The 2024 EMSN – Concessional threshold amount for out-of-pocket hospital costs is $811.80. If you exceed this, you’ll be refunded 80% of the amount, or the EMSN – General benefit caps for hospital services. For more information, check out the Medicare website.

Additional concessions from state and local governments: Depending on where you live, these concessions can lower your electricity and gas bills, property and water rates, healthcare costs and public transport fares. For more information, check with your state, territory or local government.

Need to know

The CSHC is not the same as a Health Care Card or a Low Income Health Care Card, even though these concession cards are also issued by Services Australia. These cards have different eligibility requirements and income tests to the CSHC.

Are you eligible for the CSHC?

Join SuperGuide to access this guide

Make your super last and boost your income in retirement with tips and strategies from independent experts.

• Interactive tools and calculators give you power to plan
• Step-by-step guides help you put plans into action
• Pension fund rankings reveal how funds are performing
• Tips and strategies to boost your income in retirement
• Comprehensive super and pension rules in plain language
• Newsletters and webinars keep you on top of the current rules

Already a member? Log in