Changes to income definition for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card provides assistance with the cost of prescription medicines and other health services for individuals of pension age who do not qualify for the Age Pension.
Changes to the eligibility requirements for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card occurred on 1 July 2009. The following is a summary of the new eligibility requirements:
- You must be an Australia resident living in Australia
- You must have reached age pension age or do not receive certain other Centrelink benefits
- Have an annual adjusted taxable income of less than:
- $50,000 (singles);
- $80,000 (couples combined); or
- $100,000 (couples combined who are separated due to ill health).
*This limit is increased by $639.60 for each dependent child you care for.
If you are eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and have any dependents, they are not eligible to access the concessions available to you as a card holder.
The definitition of adjusted taxable income was revised on 1 July 2009 and includes:
- Taxable income;
- Net investment losses;
- Foreign income which is not subject to Australian income tax;
- Reportable fringe benefits; and
- Reportable superannuation contributions. These contributions may include superannuation contributions received under an effective salary sacrifice arrangement.
