National concession cards for seniors

There are a range of concession cards available for seniors, including the following:

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
• Australian Government Health Care Card
• Seniors Card
• State and Territory Concessions for Seniors Cards

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is provided by the Australian Government to give older Australians concessions on prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The Card is available to people of Age Pension age who do not qualify for that pension, but meet an income test. A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card enables the purchase of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme pharmaceutical items at the same concessional rate currently received by pensioners.

If you or your partner are cardholders, and have a phone or mobile service connected in Australia, you can also get a Telephone Allowance.

You may also be entitled to additional concessions from state and local government authorities. Some states and territories have information on the range of concessions available:

• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria

Australian Government Health Care Card

The Health Care Card is provided by the Australian Government to provide some Australians with concessions on prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The Card is available to people who satisfy one of the following conditions:

• receive one of a number of Australian Government payments, including: Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment, Special Benefit, Sickness Allowance, Partner Allowance, Widow Allowance, Mobility Allowance or Carer Allowance
• are a foster carer
• are a low income earner.

You may also be entitled to additional concessions from state and local government authorities. Some states and territories have information on the range of concessions available:

• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria

Seniors Card

The Seniors Card entitles older Australians to a range of benefits provided by commercial and retail businesses.
Free of charge, the Seniors Card is issued by every State and Territory Government around Australia. It is issued in recognition of the contribution that seniors have made, and continue to make, to the Australian community.

While benefits may vary, each state or territory offers a range of government benefits attached to the Seniors Card. This can include discounts on state government transport, motor vehicle registration and entry to tourist attractions such as art galleries, national parks and so on.

State and Territory Concessions for Seniors Cards

You can view information on the range of concessions for Seniors Card holders available in your state or territory on the following sites:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia