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Seniors Health Care Card for Self-funded Retirees

Wednesday, October 08, 2025

A Seniors Health Care Card, officially known as the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC), is a crucial resource for many retirees in Australia—including those who are self-funded and don’t qualify for the Age Pension. This card opens the door to valuable discounts and better access to health care and everyday living costs.


What Is the Seniors Health Care Card?

The CSHC is a government-issued concession card designed for Australians who have reached Age Pension age but are not receiving government income support payments. Unlike the Age Pension, this card is available to self-funded retirees who pass the relevant income test but do not receive Centrelink payments. This provides a fair go for those who’ve saved for their retirement but may still need help with medical and living expenses.

Key Benefits

Holding a Seniors Health Care Card comes with real, tangible savings:

  • Cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), often at greatly reduced rates.
  • Access to bulk-billed doctor visits, depending on the GP.
  • Bigger Medicare refunds through the Medicare Safety Net for out-of-pocket, out-of-hospital medical costs.
  • Discounts on state and local government services such as utility bills, council rates, and public transport in many areas.

Potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars in annual savings, depending on health needs and local discounts.

The total benefits can conservatively add up to $2,000-$3,000 per year, which can make a big difference for many households. Additional benefits may include cheaper hearing services and discounts on rail fares, depending on the state or territory.

Who Can Get the Card?

To qualify for the CSHC, applicants must meet several criteria:

  • Be at least Age Pension age (currently 67 for those born after January 1, 1957).
  • Be an Australian resident and physically present in the country when applying.
  • Not be receiving any Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs income support payments.
  • Satisfy identity and residency requirements.
  • Provide a Tax File Number (or have an exemption).
  • Most importantly for self-funded retirees: meet the income test—assets are not counted.
  • As of 20th September 2025, the annual income limits are $101,105 for singles and $161,768 for couples.
  • Only adjusted taxable income (including some superannuation income) is counted.

How to Apply

Getting a Seniors Health Care Card is straightforward but requires some paperwork.

Here’s how:

  • Apply online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink, which streamlines the process.
  • If online isn’t suitable, you can call Centrelink or complete a paper application form. You don’t have to go to a Centrelink office—applications are accepted by phone or online for convenience.

You will need to provide ID, current income, Tax File Number and Australian residency.

Why Every Eligible Retiree Should Consider It

Many retirees miss out on this card, often believing their assets disqualify them—which isn't the case. The income test is the key requirement; assets alone are not assessed. With ongoing increases in health and living costs, even self-funded retirees can benefit enormously from the substantial savings this card provides—helping make retirement income stretch further and giving peace of mind for medical and everyday expenses.

If you're of Age Pension age and don’t receive a government payment, it’s well worth checking eligibility and applying. A little paperwork can lead to significant, ongoing benefits for years to come.

Maher Digby Securities are specialists in retirement and estate planning and retirement investment. We advise and assist our clients regarding qualification and application for Centrelink benefits including the Seniors Health Care Card. We will also assess your position for qualifying for maximum Age Pension whether it be full or part-pension.  Contact us for your free initial consultation on Ph 07 5441 1266.

For more Information contact Mark Digby at Maher Digby Securities Pty Ltd - Financial Advisers – AFSL No. 230559. This document was prepared without taking into account any person’s particular objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not guaranteed as accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as such.  Maher Digby Securities does not accept any responsibility for the opinions, comments, forward looking statements, and analysis contained in this document, all of which are intended to be of a general nature. Investors should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of this

 

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