You get a Pensioner Concession Card automatically if you get the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or Parenting Payment single, and in some cases with JobSeeker or Youth Allowance. You don't need to apply.
Key facts
- Paid automatically with the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Parenting Payment single; you don't apply for it.
- Also sent if you're 55 or older and have been on JobSeeker, Parenting Payment partnered or Special Benefit for more than 9 months.
- Also sent to single principal carers on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, and people with a partial capacity to work.
- It gives cheaper PBS medicines, possible bulk billing, hearing services, a lower Medicare Safety Net threshold, and state concessions on bills, rates, transport and car registration.
- When Parenting Payment single ends (youngest child turns 14), you keep the card for 12 weeks.
Who gets one
You get a Pensioner Concession Card automatically if you get
| Payment | Condition |
|---|---|
| Age Pension | Any rate |
| Disability Support Pension | Any rate |
| Carer Payment | Any rate |
| Parenting Payment single | Until 12 weeks after it ends |
| JobSeeker, Parenting Payment partnered or Special Benefit | Aged 55 or older, for more than 9 months |
| JobSeeker, Parenting Payment partnered or Youth Allowance (job seeker) | Partial capacity to work |
| JobSeeker or Youth Allowance (job seeker) | Single principal carer |
What it gives you
Cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, bulk-billed doctor visits (if your doctor offers them), help with hearing services, discounted mail redirection, and the concessional Medicare Safety Net threshold. States, territories and councils add concessions on electricity and gas, rates and water, ambulance, dental and eye care, public transport and car registration.
See also: Medicare Safety Net thresholds.
See also: Health Care Card and Seniors Health Card income limits.
Common questions
How do I get a Pensioner Concession Card?
You don't apply. Services Australia sends it automatically if you get an eligible payment such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or Parenting Payment single.
Can I get a Pensioner Concession Card on JobSeeker?
Yes, if you're 55 or older and have been on JobSeeker for more than 9 months, if you have a partial capacity to work, or if you're a single principal carer.
What's the difference between a Pensioner Concession Card and a Health Care Card?
Both give cheaper PBS medicines, but the Pensioner Concession Card usually gets more state and council concessions. The Health Care Card goes to people on other payments or on a low income.
Other payments: JobSeeker · Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Carer Payment · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Concession cards · Medicare Safety Net · Carer Allowance · Advance payment · Crisis Payment · Deeming rates · Newborn payments · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, Who can get a Pensioner Concession Card, Benefits of a Pensioner Concession Card (pages last updated 1 July 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.