Could you hold a concession card without knowing?
The Low Income Health Care Card is income-tested, not payment-tested. You can hold one while working, and it unlocks concessions from every level of government at once.
One card
cheaper PBS medicine, a bigger Medicare refund, and state concessions on energy, rates and transport
What this is
Most people assume a concession card follows a Centrelink payment. The Low Income Health Care Card does not: it is assessed on your income over the eight weeks before you claim, which means someone working reduced hours, between contracts, on parental leave or in a seasonal trough can qualify while still employed. What makes it worth the twenty minutes is that one card is recognised by the Commonwealth, your state and often your council, so a single approval reduces medicine, medical, energy, water, rates and transport costs at the same time.
Does it apply to you?
- People on a low income who get no Centrelink payment at all
- Anyone whose hours or income have dropped recently, even temporarily
- Anyone with dependent children, who are covered by the card too
How to do it
- Check the income test on the Services Australia page. It looks at your income over the eight weeks before you claim, not your annual salary, so a quiet stretch can qualify you.
- Claim through your Centrelink online account via myGov. You do not need to be receiving any payment.
- Once it arrives, use it: show it at the pharmacy, at the doctor, and to your electricity and water retailers.
- Check your own state or territory's concessions list. Energy and water bills, property rates, ambulance, dental, eye care and public transport are all commonly discounted.
Where people lose the money
Assuming you need to be on a payment.
This card is income-tested, not payment-tested. Plenty of people who qualify are working.
Using annual income to decide you are not eligible.
The test looks at the eight weeks before you claim. A bad quarter can qualify you even after a good year.
Holding the card and never showing it.
Nothing is applied automatically. Tell your pharmacy, your doctor, your energy retailer, your water provider and your council.
Questions
Do I have to be on Centrelink?
No. That is the point of this card and the reason it is missed. It is assessed on your income over the eight weeks before you claim, so people in work, between contracts or on reduced hours can qualify.
What does it actually get me?
Cheaper medicine under the PBS, a bigger refund once you reach the Medicare Safety Net, and bulk billed doctor visits where the doctor chooses to. Separately, states and territories commonly discount electricity and gas bills, property and water rates, ambulance, dental and eye care, and public transport fares.
Does it cover my children?
Dependent children are covered by your card for the Commonwealth benefits. State concessions vary, so check your own state's list.
How long does it last?
Cards are issued for a period and then reassessed, so keep your details current. If your income rises above the test you stop qualifying at the next assessment.
Where these numbers come from
- Services Australia, Benefits of a Low Income Health Care Card · read 2026-09-23
Last gone over 2026-09-23. Figures change; the link above is always the current one.
Published by Income Lab, Melbourne. Responsible for this page: Jarred Krowitz.