To get a Low Income Health Care Card a single person with no children must earn less than $826.00 a week before tax. The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is for people of Age Pension age with adjusted taxable income under $105,048.00 a year single or $168,076.00 for a couple.
Key facts
- Low Income Health Care Card: gross income under $826.00 a week single, $1,410.00 for a couple, over the 8 weeks before you claim.
- Once you have the card, you keep it while income stays under $1,032.50 a week (single).
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: annual income under $105,048.00 single, $168,076.00 for a couple, plus $639.60 per child.
- Neither card has an assets test.
- The seniors card limits are reviewed on 20 September each year.
Low Income Health Care Card
Your gross income before tax over the 8 weeks before you claim or renew must be under the limit. There's no assets test.
Income limit to claim or renew
| Your situation | A week | 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $826.00 | $6,608.00 |
| Couple combined, no children | $1,410.00 | $11,280.00 |
| Single, one dependent child | $1,410.00 | $11,280.00 |
| Couple combined, one child | $1,444.00 | $11,552.00 |
| Each extra child, add | $34.00 | $272.00 |
Income limit to keep the card
| Your situation | A week | 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $1,032.50 | $8,260.00 |
| Couple combined, no children | $1,762.50 | $14,100.00 |
| Single, one dependent child | $1,762.50 | $14,100.00 |
| Couple combined, one child | $1,805.00 | $14,440.00 |
| Each extra child, add | $42.50 | $340.00 |
Income includes wages, rent, Centrelink payments, deemed income from savings and shares, and lump sums such as redundancy pay.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
For people of Age Pension age who don't get an income support payment. Income is adjusted taxable income plus deemed income from account-based income streams. There's no assets test.
Income must be less than
| Your situation | A year |
|---|---|
| Single | $105,048.00 |
| Couple, combined | $168,076.00 |
| Couple separated by illness, respite care or prison, combined | $210,096.00 |
| Each child in your care, add | $639.60 |
See also: Age Pension rates and deeming.
Common questions
What is the income limit for a Health Care Card?
For a Low Income Health Care Card, under $826.00 a week single with no children, or $1,410.00 for a couple, measured over the 8 weeks before you claim.
What is the income limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?
Under $105,048.00 a year if you're single and $168,076.00 for a couple, plus $639.60 for each child in your care.
Is there an assets test for the seniors card?
No. The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and the Low Income Health Care Card have no assets test.
Other payments: JobSeeker · Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Carer Payment · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, Income test for the Low Income Health Care Card, Income test for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (pages last updated 20 September 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.