A guide to Centrelink concession cards

Contents
Introduction 4
What concession cards are available?
5
Who will appear on your card?
12
What information will appear on your card?
13
What Australian Government concessions
do you get with your card? 14
State and territory concessions
16
State and territory concession information
18
Confirming your eligibility for concessions
22
Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)?
Tell us if things change
24
How to find out more
25

23

Introduction
Centrelink offers a range of Australian Government services and payments to help people reach their
goals and full potential.
This booklet is a guide to the concession cards that are available from Centrelink. It includes details about the
different types of cards available, who may be entitled to them and details of concessions provided by the
Australian Government and the state and territory governments.

What concession cards are available?

Pensioner Concession Card
You may get a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) if you meet residence requirements.
You must also be:
assessed as having a partial work capacity and receiving Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance (job seeker)
or Parenting Payment
a single principal carer of dependent children and receiving Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (job
seeker)
participating in the Community Development Employment Projects and meet other requirements
receiving a social security pension such as Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Pension
(Single), or Carer Payment, or
60 years of age or over and receiving one (or a combination) of the following payments continuously for at
least nine months:
- Newstart Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Widow Allowance
- Parenting Payment (Partnered)
- Special Benefit
- Partner Allowance.
People receiving Disability Support Pension and Wife Pension, or Parenting Payment (Partnered), Newstart
Allowance and Youth Allowance who have been assessed as having a partial capacity to work, may continue to
use their PCC for up to 12 months if they stop receiving their payment due to employment. People receiving
certain payments, including Mature Age Allowance and certain older long-term income support recipients, can
retain their PCC for 26 weeks after returning to work.

Single principal carers of dependent children receiving Parenting Payment (Single) or Newstart Allowance or
Youth Allowance (job seeker) may continue to use their PCC for up to 12 weeks after they stop receiving their
payment because of a return to work. They will then be issued a Health Care Card (HCC) for the remainder of
the period ending six months after their return to work.
These provisions are designed to assist people to make the transition from income support to work.
The PCC is reissued automatically each year near the customers birthday, subject to continued qualification.
Customers are required to notify Centrelink of any change in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility
for the card, including leaving Australia.

Health Care Cardalso incorporates the foster child Health Care Card, the ex
Carer Allowance (child) Health Care Card and the low income Health Care
Card
You may get a Health Care Card (HCC) if you meet residence requirements.
You must also be:
receiving a qualifying payment from us
receiving certain income support supplementary payments, or
in one of the following circumstances:
- receiving the fortnightly maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A by instalment
- a care receiver of a carer/parent receiving Carer Allowance (child)
- a Mobility Allowance customer who does not qualify for a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC).
Customers who qualify for a HCC under this criteria will have their cards issued automatically every three to 12
months, depending on the customers circumstances and subject to continued qualification.
In some instances, customers can retain their HCC for a short period after returning to work. This provision is
designed to assist people to make the transition from income support to work. This will apply to customer groups
including long-term customers of Newstart Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Partner Allowance, Special Benefit,
Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance (job seeker) and Parenting Payment (Single).
Assistance for foster children
Customers can make a claim for a foster child HCC for a foster child they have in their care. This card is not
subject to an income or assets test.
To qualify for a foster child HCC, the foster child must:
be in foster care
be living in Australia with an Australian resident or a special category visa holder
meet the definition of a Family Tax Benefit
(FTB) child.
The foster carer needs to establish that:
they are an Australian resident or a special category visa holder
the child is not their natural or adopted child, and
the child is in their care.
Customers do not need to be formal foster carers (for example, caring for a ward of the state). They can be any
person caring for a child who is not their natural or adopted child. Examples of these carers include
grandparents, other kinship carers such as adult siblings, relatives and others.
The foster child HCC is automatically reissued every six months, subject to continued qualification.
Assistance for ex care recipients
An ex Carer Allowance (child) HCC is available to people who are between 16 and 25 years, are full-time
students and have a disability or medical condition that previously qualified their carer for Carer Allowance
(child) on the day before the child turned 16.

Note: the HCC is not automatically issued in this circumstance and customers are required to apply for the
card.
A claim is required for the ex Carer Allowance (child) HCC. This HCC is not automatically reissued.
Cardholders must reapply every year.
Assistance for low income earners
A low income HCC is available to people with incomes below set levels. The income test applies to average
gross income for the eight weeks immediately prior to applying for, or renewing the card. The low income HCC
is not subject to an assets test.
The low income HCC is not automatically reissued. Cardholders must reapply every six months.
Recipients of Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY may also be eligible for this card.
Customers are required to notify Centrelink of any change in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility
for all HCCssee Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? and Tell us if things change on pages
23 and 24.

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is available to self-funded retirees not receiving a Centrelink
(or DVA) income support payment.
You may get a CSHC if you:
meet residence requirements
are of age pension age
provide you and your partners Tax File Numbers or provide a valid reason why you can not do so, and
meet an annual adjusted taxable income test. There is no assets test.
Note: information from Australias immigration department may be used in
assessing claims and can be used to assess future entitlements.
The CSHC is reissued automatically each year (subject to continued qualification). Customers are required to
notify Centrelink of any change in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility for this cardsee
Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)? and Tell us if things change on pages 23 and 24.
Holders of a CSHC are entitled to the Seniors Supplement. Seniors Supplement is paid to CSHC holders
to help with household costs. For more information about Australian Government concessions available
to CSHC cardholderssee page 14.
Dependants of CSHC holders are not eligible for concessions through the CSHC. If you have dependants and
your income is below the limit, you may be entitled to a low income Health Care Card. The low income Health
Care Card offers the same pharmaceutical concessions as the CSHC and also covers your dependants. You may
also receive other concessions from other providers that may not be available with the CSHC. If you meet the
eligibility criteria, you may qualify for both concession cards. If you are caring for a child that is not your own
(for example, your grandchild)see Assistance for foster children on page eight.

If your card is lost or stolen

If your concession card is lost or stolen you can phone Centrelink to arrange a replacement card. As
replacement cards cannot be issued over the counter, your new card will be mailed to you.
Should you have an urgent need for a concession card and cannot wait for your replacement card to arrive, you
can obtain a Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement at a Centrelink Customer Service Centre. A
Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement is a temporary card and is valid for two weeks.
Note: Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement may not be accepted for some transport concessions.

Who will appear on your card?

Cards display the first name and surname of the cardholder and partner (where applicable), and the first name
only of any dependent children (where applicable). Customers can request to have their concession card
reissued without their partners name included. However, in order for a customer to access concessions for their
partner, they will need to present the concession card displaying their partners details. As there are different
types of cards available, who appears on the card differs from one card to another as follows:
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) and most Health Care Cards (HCCs)the cardholder, any partner
and dependent children
Mobility Allowance HCCthe cardholder only
Ex Carer Allowance (child) HCCthe cardholder only
Carer Allowance and foster child HCCsthe child only (The adult claimant is not listed, as these cards are
for use solely by the child)
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)the cardholder only.

What information will appear on your card?

Customer Reference Number (CRN) is required in any dealings with Centrelink and in your dealings with
some concession providers.
Concession type

Eligible
card
type

Prescription medicines listed on

the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme (PBS) at the concession
rate.

PCC*,
HCC*
and
CSHC

Bulk-billed general practitioner

appointments, at the discretion
of
the doctor.

PCC#,
HCC#
and
CSHC

An increase in benefits for out-ofpocket, out-of-hospital medical

expenses above a certain
threshold through the Medicare
Safety Net.

PCC*,
HCC*
and
CSHC

Assistance with certain hearing

services such as hearing tests
and hearing aids. For further
information call the Office of
Hearing Services on
Freecall 1800 500 726.

PCC*
and
HCC
(SA)*

A discount on mail redirection

through Australia Post.

PCC and
HCC
(SA)

Address can be residential, postal, term (students only), or temporary. The actual address displayed on the card
is at the preference of the customer. Customers can request that no address appear on their card, although this
may cause the cardholder problems when attempting to claim concessions.
Card start date is the date your card entitlement began. This is not necessarily the same date that your
payment began. Leaving Australia before 1 July 2008 may have changed this datesee Leaving Australia
(temporarily or permanently)? on page 23.
Expiry date of the concession card.

What Australian Government concessions do you get with

your card?
The following table is a guide to the types of concessions you can get with your card. Cardholders are generally
eligible for the listed concession in all instances. In some cases, dependants of Pensioner Concession Card
(PCC) and Health Care Card (HCC) holders (i.e. partners and/or dependent children) may also be eligible for
concessions.
(*)

Indicates that the concession is also available to dependants of the cardholder.

(#)
Indicates that the concession may be available to dependants at the discretion of the concession
provider.
(SA)

Indicates that the concession is only available to those HCC cardholders receiving Sickness Allowance.

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holders are entitled to Australian Government concessions on
Great Southern Rail (GSR) services. Information is available by phoning Trainways on 13 2147. PCC holders
are also entitled to concessions on GSR services. These are jointly provided by the Australian Government,
state government and GSR.
Some customers may be entitled to other payments from Centrelink such as the Pension Supplement. For more
information on these payments and any other assistance that you may be entitled to, please contact Centrelink.

State and territory concessions

Concession cards may also entitle cardholders, their partners and dependent children to other concessions from
state and local government authorities and private businesses.
Not all card types will attract the same type of concessions and the concession on offer to cardholders may also
vary between different states and territories.
Some state based concessions may not be available to cardholders who are travelling through or temporarily
living in another state. For further information in these cases, contact the individual concession providers
directly prior to travelling.
Actual eligibility for any state, local government or private concessions is at the discretion of the individual
concession provider. Customers are recommended to discuss their concession status with any concession
provider directly.
Customers are advised to examine the specific concessions available in their state or territory, and always
enquire about concessions or discounts on any goods or services.
Concessions may be available to certain cardholders in the following areas of state, territory and private
services. Examples of concessions may include:
Health
dental
hearing services
home care
optical
ambulance

Note: ambulance cover will vary from state to state. Cardholders are recommended to contact the ambulance
service in their state/territory to discuss what cover their card provides. If travelling interstate, cardholders
should also contact the service in the areas they are travelling to, or through.
Household
council rates
electricity/gas/water rates
telephone line rental
housing
Education
school fee relief
Technical and Further Education (TAFE)
state government education allowances
training programs
Transport
taxi fares
road transport registration fees
drivers licence
public transport fares
regional rail travel concessions
For Western Australian, South Australian or Victorian residents, rail vouchers will be issued once a year with
Pensioner Concession Cards (PCCs). Vouchers must be used when booking rail travel to claim a concession.
All other states and territories have automated rail travel booking systems and do not need rail vouchers. Simply
present your PCC to claim a concession.
General
entertainment
shopping

State Seniors Card

The State Seniors Card is a program that provides seniors with savings on recreational, health, business and state
government benefits throughout Australia. The State Seniors Card is not a product administered by Centrelink. It
should not be confused with the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) which is administered by
Centrelink. Centrelink staff can only give customers general information on State Seniors Cards.
The State Seniors Card encourages seniors to be more active in the community and enhance their lifestyle
choices. Some of the benefits are accessed through restaurants, travel agencies, clothing establishments, and
even from local businesses such as hairdressers, barbers, plus many more. Most states issue directories, which
are distributed directly to cardholders. These directories list participating businesses (not all businesses
advertise in this directory).
Anyone wishing to apply for a card must contact their state/territory government.

State and territory concession information

The following websites and phone numbers may be useful for information on concessions and services
available in your state or territory.

Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory Government www.act.gov.au
Department of Disability Housing and Community Services
www.dhcs.act.gov.au Phone 13 3427
Australian Capital Territory Seniors Card www.dhcs.act.gov.au Phone (02) 6282 3777

New South Wales

New South Wales Government www.nsw.gov.au
Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care
www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au
New South Wales Ministry of Transport www.transport.nsw.gov.au Phone 13 1500
New South Wales Seniors Card www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au Seniors Hotline 1300 364 758
New South Wales Half Fare Transport Concession Scheme
Centrelink administers this scheme on behalf of Transport New South Wales. The scheme covers all New South
Wales State transport services, i.e. City Rail, Countrylink, State Transit buses and ferries and many local private
bus services. For more information about the scheme, please contact Centrelink.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory Government
www.nt.gov.au
Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme www.health.nt.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 421
887
Northern Territory Seniors Card www.nt.gov.au Phone (08) 8999 4397 or Freecall 1800 777 704

Queensland
Queensland Government www.qld.gov.au Phone 13 1304
Department of CommunitiesConcessions Unit
www.communities.qld.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 460 849
Queensland Seniors Card www.communities.qld.gov.au Phone 1300 132 654

South Australia
South Australia Government www.sa.gov.au
Department of Families and Communities www.familiesandcommunities.sa.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800
307 758
Seniors Information Service www.seniors.asn.au Phone (08) 8168 8776

Tasmania
Tasmania Government www.tas.gov.au
Department of Premier and Cabinet www.dpac.tas.gov.au Phone 1300 135 513
Seniors Bureau www.dpac.tas.gov.au

Victoria
Victoria Government www.vic.gov.au
Department of Children, Youth and Families www.cyf.vic.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 658 521
Victoria Seniors Card www.seniorscard.vic.gov.au Phone (03) 9208 3333

Western Australia
Western Australia Government www.wa.gov.au
Department for communities www.community.wa.gov.au Phone (08) 6217 8700
Western Australia Seniors Card www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au Phone Freecall 1800 671 233

Confirming your eligibility for concessions

Each concession provider has the right to request information they need to confirm your entitlement to a
concession. This confirmation can be a simple presentation of the concession card and possibly some supporting
documentation, such as a drivers licence.
Pharmacists may be able to confirm your concession entitlement electronically with Centrelink. With your
consent, other concession providers may also be able to confirm your concession entitlement electronically with
Centrelink through Centrelink Confirmation eServices. In some situations Centrelink confirms other limited
information that is necessary to establish your entitlement to a concession, such as length of time on payment.
The service will save you time and is totally secure. Only Centrelink and the organisation you authorise will be
able to see your details.
Note: it is at the concession providers discretion to decide whether to give you a concession without being able
to confirm your details.

Leaving Australia (temporarily or permanently)?

To qualify for a concession card you must meet the Australian residence requirements. This means that if you
leave Australia permanently your concession card will be cancelled from the date of your departure. From 1
July 2008 concession cards may not be immediately cancelled if you temporarily depart Australia for up to 13
weeks. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or Health Care Card (HCC) and you retain entitlement
to your payment during your overseas absence then your card will not be cancelled unless you have been
overseas for more than 13 weeks. Australias immigration department may advise us if you leave Australia. This
information will be updated as changes occur and may automatically affect your entitlements if you leave
Australia.
If your HCC or PCC is cancelled and you return to Australia your card will be automatically reissued on your
return to Australia if you still have entitlement to your payment. If you hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health
Card (CSHC) or a low income HCC and temporarily depart Australia then your card will not be cancelled
unless you have been overseas for more than 13 weeks, subject to your continuing qualification for the card.
Holders of a CSHC and a low income HCC whose card is cancelled will be required to reclaim their cards once
they have returned to Australia.
You are required to advise Centrelink, prior to departure, of any plans to leave Australia either temporarily or
permanently. Centrelink will advise you what will happen to your card when you leave Australia.

Tell us if things change

You must tell us immediately if there are any changes to the information that you have already given us.
For example you must tell us if:
you change your address or telephone number
you start or stop employment
your hours of work change
your marital status changes
your family situation changes, such as a new child
you are leaving Australia temporarily or permanently
your financial circumstances change
you claim a Department of Veterans Affairs payment.
Concession cards must not be used after their expiry date or if Centrelink has advised you that the card has been
cancelled. Cards cannot be transferred to another person.

How to find out more

For further information call Centrelink
Youth and Student Services

13 2490

ABSTUDY

13 2317

Retirement

13 2300

Employment Services

13 2850

Family Assistance Office

13 6150

Disabilities, Sickness and Carers

13 2717

Financial Information National

Seminar Booking Service

13 6357

To speak to Centrelink in languages other than English

13 1202

Customer Relations LineFreecall 1800 050 004 (for complaints, compliments and suggestions)
Australian Government Services Fraud
Tip-off Line

13 1524

TTY ServiceFreecall 1800 810 586 *TTY is only for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech
impairment. A TTY phone is required to use this service.
Go to our website at www.centrelink.gov.au
Note: calls from your home phone to Centrelink 13 numbers from anywhere in Australia are charged at a
fixed rate. That rate may vary from the price of a local call and may also vary between telephone service
providers. Calls to 1800 numbers from your home phone are free. Calls from public and mobile phones may
be timed and charged at a higher rate.

Disclaimer
The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to payments available.
What are your responsibilities?
It is your responsibility to decide if you wish to apply for a payment and to make the application, having
regard to your particular circumstances.
The information is accurate as at October 2009, but may of course change. If you use this publication after
that date, please check with Centrelink that the details are up-to-date.
From what date are benefits payable?
Most government payments are paid from, or after, the date on which the application is made. So the sooner
you lodge your application, the quicker you may be paid.
What if you deal with a third party?
You may deal with a third party who is not a member of Centrelinks staff. If you do so, please remember that
Centrelink has not authorised any third parties to provide information or advice to you about payments.
Important note: while all care is taken in preparation of information and material in this publication, no
responsibility can be taken for any change in the personal circumstances of any person acting on information
presented here. You are advised to contact a Centrelink Customer Service Centre for full details of any
entitlements and services for which you may be eligible, or of how any pending changes in legislation,
programs or services affect you.
CO153.0910