Appendix H: Concessions provided by the Australian Government and selected pension concessions, as at 1 July 2008


Description	Claim required	Income/assets tests	Primary Qualification
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) provides access to cheaper pharmaceuticals and Medicare services. The Australian Government makes a contribution payment to the States towards the cost of core concessions for part-rate pensioners and certain allowance recipients– that is, for discounts on vehicle registration, rates (water and council), utilities (electricity), public transport and Australia Post services. Some concessions on Great Southern Rail and Australia Post.	N/A Auto issued on receipt of primary payment.	N/A Primary payment is means tested.	Automatic issue to: All pensions. Partial capacity for work/ and single principal carers in receipt of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance. Other allowance recipients aged 60 and over and more than 9 months on income support. Certain Pension Loan Scheme participants. Income support recipients aged under Age Pension age in an 'employment nil rate period' or no longer receiving payment due to employment income may be able to retain their PCC for an extended period (up to 12, 26 or 52 weeks).
Health Care Card (HCC) auto issue provides access to cheaper pharmaceuticals and Medicare services.	N/A Auto issued on receipt of primary payment.	N/A Primary payment is means tested.	Automatic issue to: Allowance recipients not in receipt of a PCC (excluding YA (student); Austudy and Abstudy recipients; Recipients of Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment, Farm Help Income Support and CDEP participants taken to be in receipt of income support; Carer Allowance (Child) and Carer Allowance (Child) – HCC only care receivers; and Mobility Allowance (if not in receipt of a pension). Income support recipients in an 'employment income nil rate period' or no longer receiving payment due to employment income may be able to retain a HCC for an extended period (up to 12 or 26 weeks).
Foster Child Health Care Card Ex-Carer Allowance Health Care Card Provide access to cheaper pharmaceuticals and Medicare services.	Yes	No	Foster child meeting the definition of an FTB child. Former holders of a Carer Allowance-HCC aged 16-25 in full-time study who held an HCC the day before their 16th birthday.
Low Income Health Care Card (LIC) provides access to cheaper pharmaceuticals and Medicare services	Yes	Yes Income in previous 8 weeks	Income below certain limits in an 8 week period.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) provides access to cheaper pharmaceuticals and Medicare services. Some concessions on Great Southern Rail services.	Yes	Yes Adjusted taxable income	Over Age Pension age, not receiving an income support payment, and income below $50,000 single or $80,000 couple.

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