Key points
Legislation to extend eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has finally passed.
Income test limits will increase to $90,000 for single people and $144,000 for couples boosting the number of people eligible by 44,000.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Seniors is a one-stop shop listing all the concessions you can get.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is a federal government concession card for low-income self-funded retirees. The primary benefit is that it provides access to cheaper medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In some cases, you may get a concession rate at your local GP (subject to their discretion).
However, there are also some concessions available to CSHC holders from state and territory governments.
To get the card, you must be of Age Pension age and meet an income test.
As a result of the election, the income test threshold will increase, which was a promise of both major parties.
After some delays, the income test limits passed through parliament on 26 October 2022. The income test limits were increased to $90,000 for single people (up from $61,284) and $144,000 for couples (up from $98,054).
An additional forty-four thousand retirees can apply for the CSHC in the coming fortnight as it is given royal assent by the Governor-General.
