New arrivals to Australia will have to wait for a full 10 years of residency, before being eligible for most aged benefits.

Information Links:

• Centrelink

Eligibility rules at July 2009 are:

• There is no assets test.
• Must be an Australian resident, living in Australia. 
• Have reached age pension age but do not qualify for Age Pension.
• Have an annual adjusted taxable income of:

  less than $50,000 (singles)

  less than $80,000 (couples combined)

This Commonwealth Seniors Health Card helps with the cost of:

• Prescription medicines.
• Bulk-billed GP appointments, at the discretion of the GP.
• Reduction in the cost of out-of-hospital medical expenses

Additional Benefits may include:

• Seniors Concession Allowance – a non-taxable payment made every 6 months to help with regular bills such as energy, rates and motor vehicle registration fees that are not available at a concession rate.
• Telephone Allowance.
• Various State & Territory concessions for health, household, transport, education and recreation, if the State or Territory chooses to allow interstate card holders that option.
• Various discounts from Private companies.

Information Links:

• http://www.centrelink.gov.au/…/conc_cards_cshc.htm
• http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/…/SeniorsHealthCard.aspx

New South Wales Seniors card

The scheme is free to join, is not assets-tested and you are not required to disclose your income.

The eligibility criteria for NSW, for example, being:

• 60 years of age or over
• Permanent resident of NSW
• Work no more than 20 PAID hours per week

Queensland Seniors card

Seniors Card is a partnership between the Queensland Government and participating businesses to provide discounts and Queensland Government concessions on a range of products and services to Queenslanders over 60.

The scheme is FREE to join, is not assets-tested and therefore you are not required to disclose your income.

To receive a Seniors Card you must be a Queensland resident and either:

• aged over 65 and working less than 35 hours per week or
• aged 60 to 64, working less than 35 hours per week and holding a Commonwealth concession card from Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (for example, a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans’ Gold, White or Orange Card).

ACT Seniors card

NT Seniors card

South Australia Seniors card

Tasmania Seniors card

Victoria Seniors card

Western Australia Seniors card