Changes to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Income Threshold

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) provides access to Australian Government concessions on medical and pharmaceutical costs. The CSHC is available to Australian residents over pension age who are not entitled to an income support payment such as Service Pension (who are entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card and so already entitled to similar concessions) and whose income is below the CSHC income threshold.

The CSHC Income Threshold will be increased with effect from 4 November 2022. 

The CSHC income threshold is set to increase from $57,761 for singles, $92,416 for couples, and $115,522 for separated couples (separated by illness), to $90,000 for singles, $144,000 for couples, and $180,000 for couples separated by illness from 4 November 2022.

Increasing the CSHC income threshold will allow more older Australians access to the relevant pharmaceutical and medical benefits discounts and other associated concessions that the card provides.

Current CSHC holders are not impacted by the change, however increasing the Income Threshold may allow people who currently do not receive a CSHC access to it. To check if you meet the eligibility criteria including income test limits, visit the webpage.