Centrelink Concession Cards Guide: PCC, HCC & CSHC
Complete guide to Centrelink concession cards in Australia, including the Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, plus what discounts you get.
Types of Centrelink Concession Cards
Services Australia issues three main types of concession cards, each providing access to discounted services and products. The Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) is the most valuable and is automatically issued to recipients of pension-rate payments including the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, and Parenting Payment Single. The Health Care Card (HCC) is issued to recipients of allowance-rate payments like JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment Partnered, and Austudy. It can also be obtained on a low-income basis without receiving a Centrelink payment. The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) is available to people of Age Pension age who do not qualify for the Age Pension but have income below a certain threshold. Each card provides a different level of concessions, with the PCC generally providing the most benefits. All three cards are recognised nationally for pharmaceutical concessions, but state and territory concessions vary by card type and location.
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) Benefits
The Pensioner Concession Card provides the broadest range of concessions. National benefits include access to medicines at the concessional rate under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) — currently $7.70 per prescription instead of the general rate of $31.60. Once you reach the PBS Safety Net threshold ($262.80 for concession card holders), prescriptions become free for the rest of the calendar year. PCC holders may also be bulk-billed by doctors who choose to do so (bulk billing rates are higher for concession card holders due to increased Medicare incentives). State and territory benefits vary but typically include discounts on electricity and gas bills (energy concessions range from $200 to $600 per year depending on the state), reduced water and sewerage rates, free or discounted public transport (varies by state — NSW and Queensland offer free off-peak travel), reduced vehicle registration fees, reduced council rates, and discounts on various government fees. The PCC is a valuable card — some estimates suggest the combined concessions are worth $2,000 to $4,000 per year.
Health Care Card (HCC) Benefits
The Health Care Card provides a subset of the concessions available with the PCC. Like the PCC, the HCC provides access to PBS medicines at the concessional rate of $7.70 per prescription and the PBS Safety Net at $262.80. HCC holders can also be bulk-billed by participating doctors. State-based concessions for HCC holders are generally less generous than those for PCC holders. Energy concessions are available in most states but may be at a lower rate. Public transport concessions vary — some states provide the same concessions to HCC and PCC holders, while others differentiate. Council rate reductions and water concessions may be available but often at a lower discount than for PCC holders. You can obtain a Low Income Health Care Card without receiving a Centrelink payment if your income is below $681 per week for singles ($1,174 for couples). This is particularly useful for low-income workers who are not eligible for any income support payment. The Low Income HCC requires an income assessment and is valid for one year, renewable.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is specifically designed for self-funded retirees who have reached Age Pension age (67 years) but do not qualify for the Age Pension due to income or assets exceeding the pension thresholds. Since 2022, the income test for the CSHC has been significantly expanded — you can now hold a CSHC if your adjusted taxable income is below $152,000 per year for singles or $244,000 per year for couples combined. There is no asset test for the CSHC. The CSHC provides access to cheaper PBS medicines at the concessional rate, the PBS Safety Net at the lower threshold, and bulk billing from participating doctors. State-based concessions for CSHC holders vary — some states treat the CSHC identically to the PCC for energy and utility concessions, while others provide reduced concessions. The CSHC is particularly valuable for the PBS concession alone — a retiree taking multiple medications can save thousands of dollars per year compared to the general PBS rate. To apply, you need to provide your income details (based on your tax return) and hold a qualifying visa or be an Australian resident.
State-by-State Concession Comparison
Concession card benefits vary significantly between states and territories. In New South Wales, PCC and HCC holders receive energy rebates of up to $315 per year, free off-peak public transport on Opal (PCC only), and council rate reductions. In Victoria, PCC holders receive an annual electricity concession of approximately $287, a gas concession, and a 50% discount on public transport. In Queensland, PCC holders receive an electricity rebate of $372 per year and free off-peak public transport. South Australia provides energy concessions of up to $241 for PCC holders and discounted public transport. Western Australia offers the Energy Assistance Payment of $305 for PCC holders. Tasmania provides energy concessions of approximately $566 per year (one of the most generous states) for PCC holders. The ACT provides an energy concession and a utility concession for PCC holders. The Northern Territory provides electricity, water, and sewerage concessions. Each state has its own application process for state concessions — holding a Centrelink concession card is usually a prerequisite, but you may need to apply separately for each state concession.
Keeping Your Concession Card When Circumstances Change
There are several situations where you can retain your concession card even after losing eligibility for your underlying payment. If you lose your pension or allowance because your income from employment increases, you may retain your PCC or HCC for up to 12 weeks under the Employment Income nil rate period. During this period, you are not paid but your card remains active. If you lose the Age Pension due to income, you can apply for the CSHC instead, which provides many of the same pharmaceutical benefits. The extended entitlement provision allows some former payment recipients to keep their PCC for a longer period in certain circumstances. If you lose your card and your income subsequently decreases, you can reapply. Some veterans hold a Veterans' Affairs concession card (Gold, White, or Orange), which provides different concessions — check with DVA if you have qualifying military service. If you are about to lose your card, contact your state concession provider to find out the exact date your state concessions will end, as some states provide a grace period.
How to Apply for a Concession Card
If you are receiving a qualifying Centrelink payment, your concession card (PCC or HCC) is issued automatically — you do not need to apply separately. The card will be mailed to your address on file with Centrelink. You can also access a digital version of your card through the Express Plus Centrelink app on your smartphone. If you want a Low Income Health Care Card without receiving a Centrelink payment, you need to apply through your myGov account or at a Services Australia service centre. You will need to provide your income details for the eight-week period before your claim. For the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, apply through myGov after your income tax return for the relevant year has been assessed by the ATO. You will need your Tax File Number and income details. CSHC claims are typically processed within 2 to 4 weeks. Once you have your concession card, you need to present it to access discounts — at the pharmacy, at the doctor's office, when paying energy bills, and when using public transport. Some concessions (like council rate reductions) require a separate application to the relevant authority.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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