Check whether you're under the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income limit, including deemed income from an account-based pension, and what the card gives you.
Key facts
- The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is for people of Age Pension age who don't get the Age Pension or another income support payment.
- Your income must be under $105,048 a year single or $168,076 for a couple (from 20 September 2026), plus $639.60 for each child in your care.
- Income is your adjusted taxable income plus deemed income from account-based pensions and annuities (if deeming applies to them).
- There's no assets test.
- It gives cheaper PBS medicines, possible bulk-billed doctor visits, a bigger Medicare Safety Net refund and some state and council concessions.
Income limits (from 20 September 2026)
| Your situation | Income must be less than |
|---|---|
| Single | $105,048 |
| Couple, combined | $168,076 |
| Couple separated by illness, respite care or prison, combined | $210,096 |
| Each child in your care, add | $639.60 |
Deemed income from an account-based pension
| Balance | Deemed income a year, single | Deemed income a year, couple |
|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $8,039.00 | $7,163.00 |
| $500,000 | $17,414.00 | $16,538.00 |
| $750,000 | $26,789.00 | $25,913.00 |
| $1,000,000 | $36,164.00 | $35,288.00 |
| $1,500,000 | $54,914.00 | $54,038.00 |
Deeming at 1.75% up to $66,800 (single) or $110,600 (couple, combined) and 3.75% above. The couple figures assume the balances are split evenly. Only account-based income streams that are subject to deeming count.
Who can get it
- You're Age Pension age.
- You meet the residence rules.
- You don't get an income support payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- You give your and your partner's tax file numbers.
- Your income is under the limit.
Common questions
What is the income limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?
Less than $105,048 a year if you're single, $168,076 for a couple combined and $210,096 for a couple separated by illness, respite care or prison, plus $639.60 for each child in your care. The limits are indexed on 20 September each year.
Does super count for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?
Money in an account-based pension is deemed to earn income: 1.75% on the first $66,800 (single) and 3.75% above. Deeming applies if you bought or changed the pension on or after 1 January 2015, if you got the card after 31 December 2014, or if your partner owns it and is 60 or older.
Is there an assets test for the seniors card?
No. Only the income test applies.
Can I get the card if I get the Age Pension?
No. Age Pension recipients get a Pensioner Concession Card instead, which gives similar health benefits.
See also the Low Income Health Care Card, the Age Pension calculator and deeming rates.
Sources: Services Australia income test, who can get it and benefits; deeming rates from the Age Pension data. Checked 22 October 2026.