How do I get a Seniors Health Card and what benefits does it offer?

In Plain English

To get a Seniors Health Card, you generally need to meet certain age, residency, and income requirements. The specific criteria depend on whether you are applying through the Department of Social Services or as a veteran through the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Generally, you must be an Australian resident, meet an income test, and not be receiving other social security benefits.

Holding a Seniors Health Card can give you access to cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and hearing aid concessions.

Detailed Explanation

The process and eligibility requirements for obtaining a Seniors Health Card differ slightly depending on whether you are applying under the Social Security Act 1991 or the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Eligibility under the Social Security Act 1991

To be qualified for a Seniors Health Card under the Social Security Act 1991, a person must meet the criteria outlined in section 1061ZG. These include:

  • Meeting age requirements (55-59 for women, 60-64 for men).
  • Being an Australian resident as defined in section 5G of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.
  • Being physically present in Australia.
  • Satisfying the "seniors health card ordinary income test" (see section 1071 of the Social Security Act 1991).
  • Meeting specific criteria related to eligibility for an age service pension under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.
  • Not receiving a social security pension or benefit.
  • Not receiving a service pension.

To obtain a Seniors Health Card, an eligible person must make a claim Social Security Act 1991 section 1061ZC. The claim must be in writing, using a form approved by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services Social Security Act 1991 section 1061ZD, and lodged at an approved location Social Security Act 1991 section 1061ZE. The claimant must be an Australian resident and in Australia when the claim is lodged Social Security Act 1991 section 1061ZF. The Secretary must then determine the claim Social Security Act 1991 section 1061ZH, and if satisfied the claimant is qualified, determine that the claimant is entitled to the card Social Security Act 1991 section 1061ZI.

The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Act 2022 amended the income test limits for the Seniors Health Card.

Eligibility under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986

Under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, eligibility criteria are outlined in section 118V. Different criteria apply to veterans, war widows/widowers, and partners of those eligible under other subsections. Key requirements include:

  • Being a veteran with "qualifying service" or a war widow/widower.
  • Meeting pension age or "qualifying age" requirements.
  • Being an Australian resident.
  • Not receiving a service pension, veteran payment, or social security pension/benefit.
  • Satisfying the "seniors health card income test" (see section 118ZZA of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986).

A claim must be made to be granted a seniors health card Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 section 118Y, unless the Commission has already made a determination under section 118ZG that the person is entitled to a seniors health card Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 section 118XA(3). The claim must be in the approved form Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 section 118ZA and lodged in the approved manner Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 section 118ZB, while the claimant is an Australian resident and in Australia Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 section 118ZC.

The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Act 2022 also amended the income test limits for the Seniors Health Card under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Benefits of Holding a Seniors Health Card

Section 1061ZB of the Social Security Act 1991 and section 118W of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 state that various health-related benefits and concessions may be available to Seniors Health Card holders. These commonly include: