
If you're a self-funded retiree who doesn't qualify for the Age Pension, you might feel like you're missing out on government benefits. But there's another valuable concession card you could be eligible for: the **Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)**.

The CSHC can save you thousands of dollars a year on healthcare costs. The best part? It has an income test but **no assets test**.

This guide explains what the CSHC offers, who can get it, and how to check if you're eligible using our new calculator.

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## Table of contents
1. [What is the CSHC?](#what-is-the-cshc)
2. [Key Benefits of the CSHC](#key-benefits-of-the-cshc)
3. [Who is Eligible? (The Income Test)](#who-is-eligible-the-income-test)
4. [How to Check Your Eligibility](#how-to-check-your-eligibility)
5. [Common Questions](#common-questions)

---

## What is the CSHC?

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is a concession card for older Australians who have reached Age Pension age but don't receive the Age Pension or a payment from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

It's designed to make healthcare and medicines more affordable for self-funded retirees whose income is below a certain threshold.

## Key Benefits of the CSHC

Holding a CSHC gives you access to several valuable concessions:

- **Cheaper Medicines:** Get prescription medicines at the discounted Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) rate.
- **Bulk Billed Doctor Visits:** More likely to be bulk-billed by doctors (at their discretion).
- **Bigger Refunds:** Receive a higher refund for medical costs when you reach the Medicare Safety Net.

Depending on your state or territory, you may also get discounts on electricity, gas, water, property rates, and public transport.

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## Who is Eligible? (The Income Test)

To get the CSHC, you must meet four main criteria:

1.  Be of Age Pension age (currently 67).
2.  Meet residency requirements.
3.  Not be receiving any payment from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
4.  Meet the income test.

The income test is the most important hurdle. Unlike the Age Pension, there is **no assets test**. Your eligibility depends solely on your "assessable income".

### How is Income Assessed?

Centrelink uses a specific formula to assess your income. It's a combination of your **Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI)** and a **deemed amount** from any account-based pensions you hold.

- **Adjusted Taxable Income (ATI):** This is your taxable income plus add-backs like reportable super contributions (salary sacrifice), total net investment losses, and certain foreign income.
- **Deeming:** This is a set of rules used to estimate the income you earn from your financial assets. For the CSHC, deeming only applies to account-based pensions. Centrelink assumes these pensions earn a certain rate of income, regardless of what they actually earn.

The income limits are updated annually. For the 2025-26 financial year, the thresholds are:

- **Singles:** $101,105
- **Couples (combined):** $161,768
- **Couples separated by illness:** $202,210

An extra $639.60 is allowed for each dependent child.

> **Ready to see if you qualify?** The rules can be complex, but our calculator makes it simple.
>
> **[Try the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Calculator](/calculators/commonwealth-seniors-health-card)**

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## How to Check Your Eligibility

The easiest way to see if you meet the income test is to use a specialised calculator.

Our **[Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Calculator](/calculators/commonwealth-seniors-health-card)** is built with the latest 2025-26 rates and deeming rules.

It guides you through entering your income and account-based pension details to give you an instant eligibility estimate. It helps you understand how your income is assessed and how close you are to the threshold.

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## Common Questions

**1. Does my family home count in any test?**
No. The CSHC has no assets test, so the value of your home is not included.

**2. What if my income changes?**
You must notify Centrelink if your income changes and you no longer meet the test. The income test is applied annually.

**3. Do deeming rates change?**
Yes, the government can change deeming rates at any time, which can affect your eligibility. Our calculator is kept up-to-date with the latest rates.

## The Bottom Line

The CSHC is a valuable card for self-funded retirees. If you're not eligible for the Age Pension, it's the next best thing for reducing your healthcare costs.

Given there's no assets test, it's well worth checking if your income falls within the threshold.

**[Run the numbers with our CSHC Calculator today.](/calculators/commonwealth-seniors-health-card)**

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A complete guide to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) in Australia for 2026, including the income test, deeming rules, and how to check your eligibility.

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) Guide 2026


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Want to see what you’re entitled to? Try the **[Age Pension Calculator](/calculators/age-pension)** and estimate your Age Pension payments.

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## What is the Age Pension?

The **Age Pension** is a government payment that helps older Australians cover living costs in retirement.  
It’s a safety net — but many retirees with modest savings or investments still qualify for a **part or full pension**.

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## Table of contents
1. [Eligibility](#eligibility)
2. [How much you can receive](#how-much-you-can-receive)
3. [Income & assets tests](#income--assets-tests)
4. [Deeming rules](#deeming-rules)
5. [Examples](#examples)
6. [Ways to increase your pension](#ways-to-increase-your-pension)
7. [FAQs](#faqs)
8. [Disclaimer](#disclaimer)

---

## Eligibility

To qualify, you must meet **three key tests**:

- **Age** – currently **67** (no further increases legislated)  
- **Residency** – must generally have lived in Australia for **10 years**, including **5 consecutive years**  
- **Means testing** – based on your **income and assets**

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## How much you can receive

### **Maximum fortnightly payments (as at 20 September 2025)**

| Type | Single | Couple (each) |
|---|---:|---:|
| Max rate | $1,116.30 | $841.40 |
| Annual equivalent | $29,023 | $21,876 |

> Includes the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.

---

## Income & Assets Tests

Centrelink runs **both tests** and pays whichever gives you the **lower amount**.

### **Assets test (20 Sept 2025)**

Your **home is exempt**, but most other assets are counted — such as super, bank accounts, shares, and investment properties.

| Situation | Full Pension Up To | Cut-Off |
|---|---:|---:|
| Single homeowner | $301,750 | $686,250 |
| Couple homeowners | $451,500 | $1,031,000 |

> Pension reduces by **$3 per $1,000** of assets above the threshold.

### **Income test (20 Sept 2025)**

Assessable income includes wages, rent, and deemed investment income.

| Situation | Full Pension Up To | Cut-Off |
|---|---:|---:|
| Single | $204/fortnight | $2,444/fortnight |
| Couple (combined) | $360/fortnight | $3,736/fortnight |

> Pension reduces by **50c for every $1** over the threshold.

---

## Deeming rules

Centrelink doesn’t use your actual investment returns — it uses **deeming rates** to estimate income.

| Amount | Deeming rate |
|---|---:|
| Up to $60,400 (single) / $100,200 (couple) | **0.25%** |
| Above those amounts | **2.25%** |

This simplifies the process and avoids constant reporting, but may under- or over-estimate income when markets move.

---

## Example: Single homeowner

**Assets:**

- Account-based pension: $300,000  
- Cash: $20,000  
- Car & contents: $15,000  
- **Total assessable assets: $335,000**

Threshold: $301,750  
Amount over: $33,250  
Reduction: $33,250 ÷ 1,000 × $3 = **$99.75/fortnight**

Full rate $1,116.30 − $99.75 = **$1,016.55/fortnight**

> Result: Part pension based on the assets test.

---

## Ways to increase your pension

> These are general strategies — always seek personalised advice.

### 1. Re-structure assets
- Pay down your mortgage  
- Renovate or upgrade your home (exempt asset)  
- Replace old household items  
- Gift within the **$10,000 per year / $30,000 per five years** limit

### 2. Use superannuation rules
- If your spouse is **under pension age**, move assets into their accumulation super (temporarily exempt)  
- Make **downsizer** or **spouse contributions** to adjust balances

### 3. Choose income streams wisely
- Some **lifetime annuities** receive concessional Centrelink treatment  
- Review your **account-based pension** structure for optimisation

### 4. Plan withdrawals carefully
- Keep only essential cash reserves  
- Track spending vs gifting to avoid breaching thresholds

---

## Why planning matters

A few small tweaks can mean:

- **Thousands more per year**  
- **Earlier eligibility**  
- **Higher retirement cash flow**

The key is planning **before** you reach pension age.

---

Try the **[Age Pension Calculator](/calculators/age-pension)** to estimate your payments and explore strategies to increase them.

---

## FAQs

**Can I work and still get the pension?**  
Yes. You can earn up to **$7,800 extra per year** under the *Work Bonus* before payments reduce.

**Does super count?**  
Yes — once you reach pension age.  
If your spouse is younger, **their super is ignored**.

**Do I apply on my birthday?**  
You can apply **13 weeks before** turning 67.

**Is my home included?**  
No — your **main residence is exempt**.

**Can gifting cause issues?**  
Yes — excess gifts are treated as **deprived assets** for up to five years.

---

## Disclaimer

Figures are accurate as at **20 September 2025**.  
This guide is **general information only** and does not constitute financial or tax advice.  
Consult a qualified financial adviser before making any decisions.

---



A plain-English guide to how the Australian Age Pension works — who’s eligible, how payments are calculated, and smart, legal ways to maximise what you receive.

#centrelink

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) Guide 2026

Age Pension Explained: Rules, Rates & How to Increase Your Entitlements