Legislation due to take effect on 20 September 2022 (if passed) will enable more Australians to access the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
This will provide medical and pharmaceutical concessions for those who have reached age pension or veteran pension age.
Pending the passage of legislation, the income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will increase from $57,761 to $90,000 for singles and from $92,416 to $144,000 for couples (combined).
More than 44,000 newly eligible CSHC holders are expected to benefit within the first year of implementation. This is projected to increase to an additional 52,000 card holders by 2026-27.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Heath Card) Bill will help older Australians when they needed it most.
Older Australians can use their Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to access cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), bulk billed doctor visits (at the discretion of the provider), and the lower thresholds of the PBS and Extended Medicare safety nets.
Eligible Australians can apply for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card on the Services Australia website.
