What is a health care card and how can I get one?

The Low Income Health Care Card is a helpful resource for many Australians – but it’s one you may not have heard about. With a range of benefits and discounts on healthcare and essential services, it’s a card that’s been specifically designed to support those with limited income.

It’s not for everyone though, as there’s some serious eligibility criteria and an income test you’ll need to go through. Want to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about the Low Income Health Care Card so you can get the most bang for your buck – without missing out on essential services.

It’s essentially a concession card issued by the Australian government to help people with lower incomes get access to affordable healthcare and essential services – even if you don’t have private health insurance. The card comes with various discounts and concessions, including cheaper medical appointments.

Depending on where you live around the country, your state or territory might also offer you more benefits, including lower costs for prescription medications, public transport, utility bills, vehicle rego and more.

Being eligible for a health care card mainly depends on your income and personal living situation. In order to qualify, you’ll need to hit specific criteria set by Services Australia. Here are the general eligibility requirements:

• Residency: You must be an Australian resident currently living in Australia.
• Income test: Your income needs to be below a certain threshold, which varies depending on whether you are single, part of a couple or have kids.

There are a few different scenarios that will play out here. Getting a health care card ultimately depends on the amount of money your household brings in every week. So if it suddenly goes about the limit, you may lose access to the health care card.

For the Low Income Health Care Card, you’ll notice that the income limits are in place to make sure only those who genuinely need assistance get the card. The income limits tend to change every year or so in line with inflation, so make sure you are across the latest figures on the Services Australia website. As of the latest update, the income cut-offs are as follows:

• Single person, no children: Must earn less than $769 per week.
• Couple combined, no children: Must earn less than $1,315 per week.
• Family with one child: Must earn less than $1,349 per week, with an additional allowance of $34 for every extra kid thereafter.

The Low Income Health Care Card and the Centrelink Health Care Card are essentially one and the same. People refer to them by different names, especially if they’ve been part of the Centrelink system for a while.

All you need to know is that, whether you call it the Low Income Health Care Card or the Centrelink Health Care Card, it’s set up for individuals and families with low income who meet the income test. It comes with lots of different benefits, including cheaper medical services and prescriptions, and it’s available to any Australian resident who meets the income test, regardless of whether or not you receive any Centrelink payments.

If you do currently get Centrelink payments, such as JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, then you’ll automatically become eligible for the health care card. Simply chat to Services Australia to find out if there’s anything else you need to do in order to receive the card. Once you’re all set up, you can start enjoying discounts and other benefits.

Applying for a health care card is a pretty straightforward process, but it’s most important that you have all your documentation in order. Here are the steps to apply:

• Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet the income and residency requirements for the health care card.

• Organise the paperwork: You will need to provide proof of your income, whether that’s via payslips or bank statements, as well as proof of your identity.

• Complete the claim form: You can apply online as long as you have a Centrelink online account linked to your myGov account. If not, you’ll need to get these set up first.

• Make your claim: Submit your completed claim along with any and all supporting documents. If you can’t claim online, call Services Australia or visit your nearest service centre.
• Track your claim until approved: Once you’ve submitted your claim, Services Australia will review it. You can track its progress online, and then once you are approved you’ll get your health care card in the mail.

In most cases, your health care card will be valid for one year. If you are still eligible after those 12 months, you won’t need to do anything and your card will renew on its own. However, if your circumstances change and you start earning above the income limit, you will lose access to the card’s benefits.

Bear in mind that if there are any changes to your personal details or financial situation, you must update reach out to Services Australia straight away and update them. It’s important to make sure you are always meeting the eligibility criteria to maintain your benefits. Failure to report changes in your circumstances can result in losing your benefits or having to pay back any overpaid amounts.

The Low Income Health Care Card is an incredibly helpful resource for Aussies on lower incomes. It’s a way for you to continue getting access to high-quality healthcare, as well as other benefits and discounts that can make a big difference to your livelihood. If you think you might be eligible, you can make a claim for a health care card via Services Australia today. You can also start comparing health insurance today to get more financial protection for you and your loved ones.