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October 2021
Navigating the realm of concession cards for seniors can be confusing and overwhelming. It is one of the most common questions our Financial Planners receive. Our Senior Financial Planner, Ben Holian has put together a quick guide that you may find helpful.
State Seniors Card
In Victoria, you are eligible for Seniors Card if you are over 60 years of age, a permanent resident of Australia, residing in Victoria.
- If you are working less than 35 hours per week in paid employment - Seniors Card.
- If you are working more than 35 hours per week - Seniors Business Discount Card.
Both card holders can obtain discounts from over 4,000 participating businesses in Victoria as well as Government Agencies discounts.
Seniors Card holders are also eligible for the following:
- Concession public transport fares
- Free weekend travel in any two consecutive zones
- Free seniors myki
- Free off-peak travel vouchers
- Exemption from Fishing Licence in Victorian Waters
For further details visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au. For members outside of Victoria, please refer to the following links for more information:
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
Australian Federal Government Concession cards
All members who receive an Age Pension or Disability Pension are entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card. One of its main benefits is cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Other benefits include discounts on vehicle registration and utilities.
However, there are other Federal Government concession cards that you may eligible for:
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card – this card is available for those that are of Age Pension age but do not qualify for the Age Pension.
It is subject to an income test that includes your adjusted taxable income, and a deemed amount from account based income streams.
No assets test apply and money in superannuation that is not an account based pension (e.g. in accumulation phase) is also not included in eligibility assessments.
Annual income should be less than:
- $57,761 a year if you’re single
- $92,416 a year for couples
Low Income Earners Health Care Card – eligibility is based solely on assessable income over an 8 week period:
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If eligible for these two cards in combination, it can have many similar benefits as to those received by the Pension Concession Card.
More information can be found at:
Seniors Online
https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/seniors-card
Services Australia
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
For eligibility criteria on the above concession cards or Age or Disability Pensions, please see your Financial Planner or Centrelink to discuss.
