Student Services - Health Care Card

A Health Care Card entitles you to reduced medicine costs under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as well as a limited number of other concessions from state and local government authorities.

If you receive Youth Allowance, Abstudy or Austudy you may be qualify for a Health Care Card.

For full time students you need to qualify as a "low income earner". In this respect you will qualify if you have an average weekly income below certain "income limits" in the eight weeks immediately before you claim. Current "income limits" can be accessed at : http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/conc_cards_iat.htm

In most cases no separate application form is required. If, when you apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy you also qualify for a Health Care Card, Centrelink will automatically send it out to you.

If you are over the age of 16 and receive ABSTUDY you will need to apply separately for a Health Care Card.

Similarly if when you applied for Youth Allowance or Austudy you were over the income limits you will need to re-apply once you have met the "income limits".

If you are a Youth Allowance or Austudy recipient you will also need to re-apply for a Health Care Card every six months.

Health Care Card Application Forms are available from the Student Financial Aid Officer in Student Services.

Further information on Health Care Cards can be obtained at:
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/conc_cards_hcc.htm