Government Support for People With Chronic Conditions
Are you searching for government pensions and benefits for Australians with chronic health conditions? We’ve listed the most common ones here.
This page was updated in July 2024.
Medicare Benefits Scheme
Medicare is Australia’s universal health care system. It is operated by the Australian Government and is funded through the tax system. Citizens and most permanent Australian residents are eligible for Medicare.
If you have a chronic health issue, you’ll likely be familiar with the Medicare Benefits Scheme. However, you might not be aware of all the payments and benefits available to you.
The Medicare system provides free or heavily subsidised benefits across the following key areas.
➤ Hospital services
➤ Health professional services
➤ Pharmaceutical services
Hospital services
All those with a Medicare Card can be treated for free as a public patient in a public hospital. You cannot choose your own doctor and, depending on your health needs, you may need to be on a waiting list before you are admitted. Emergency cases are treated urgently, whereas those requiring non-urgent or elective procedures (such as joint replacements) may be on a waiting list for many months.
Health professional services
Medicare offers benefits for health professional services provided outside a hospital. This includes General Practitioner (GP) or rheumatologist consultation fees, diagnostic tests and more. In some cases, the cost of the service is fully covered by Medicare (bulk-billed). At other times, you may pay the difference between the full cost of the service and the maximum rebate payable by Medicare. This is usually referred to as your “gap” or “out-of-pocket” expense. It is a good idea to check your Medicare benefit entitlements with your provider when you make your appointment.
Many health professionals offer concession rates to those who hold valid Centrelink Health Care Cards or Concession Cards. (See below for more information about Centrelink.)
MyMedicare is a national voluntary patient registration model launched by the Australian Government on 1 October 2023. If you have a specific general practice and GP you prefer to use, you can nominate them in your MyMedicare registration. This will notify your general practice that you have chosen them as your preferred primary health provider. Once this relationship is formalised, your general practice will receive extra funding from the Australian Government to provide you with extra care on top of the services they already offer. The aim of this is to give you greater continuity of care and improved health outcomes.
MyMedicare patients may have access to:
➤ Longer telehealth appointments for most adult patients, from 1 November 2023.
➤ Longer bulk-billed telehealth appointments for children under 16 and Commonwealth concession card holders, from 1 November 2023.
➤ More regular visits from their GP and better care planning for people living in a residential aged care home, from August 2024.
➤ Connections to more appropriate care in general practice for people with chronic disease who visit hospital frequently, from mid-2024.
Further registration benefits for patients will continue to be added over time. You can register for MyMedicare via your Medicare online account or your general practice. If you choose not to register in MyMedicare, you will continue to be able to access the same care from your healthcare providers as you currently do.
MyMedicare is open to eligible Australians with a Medicare card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card and is voluntary.
You’re eligible to register in MyMedicare if you have:
➤ A Medicare Card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Veteran Card
➤ Face-to-face visits recorded with the same practice, including either:
– One face-to-face visit for practices in remote locations.
– Two face-to-face visits for practices in other locations in the previous 24 months.
People who are facing hardship will be exempt from all eligibility requirements. This includes people experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness.
MyMedicare registration does not serve any other purpose other than those listed above. It cannot hold any of your clinical health information. This information will continue to be available in your My Health Record if you have one. (See below for more information about My Health Record.)
MyMedicare registration will not prevent you from accessing care from other practices and healthcare providers. You can change your registration preferences or cancel your registration at any time.
If you have a chronic health issue, your medical costs could be high. However, visiting a doctor or having tests may cost you less once you reach the relevant Medicare Safety Net threshold. At that point, you should receive a higher Medicare rebate for all eligible services for the rest of the calendar year.
If you are an individual with no dependents, you don’t need to register for this safety net. Medicare will do that for you automatically. Couples and families can register to combine their costs and reach the safety net sooner. You’ll need to register online via the link above or by calling the Medicare general enquiries line on 132 011 (7 days a week 24 hours a day).
Chronic Disease Management Plans
There are two types of plans that can be prepared by a GP for chronic disease management. If you have a chronic medical condition, your GP may suggest a GP Management Plan (GPMP). There is no age limit or list of eligible conditions. These plans are determined by you and your GP to identify your healthcare needs and decide on a suitable course of action.
If you need treatment from more than one allied health professional, your doctor may also put a Team Care Arrangement (TCA) in place for you. This lets your doctor work with, and refer you to, at least two other health professionals who will provide treatment or services to you.
Medicare rebate assistance is available for this plan for up to a maximum of five appointments per patient per calendar year.
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
If you are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, talk to your GP as they can provide an impartial ear and, if appropriate, prescribe medication and recommend a Mental Health Treatment Plan for you.
This may involve referring you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, counsellor or another allied mental health professional. In most cases, Medicare benefits are available for up to 10 appointments per patient per calendar year.
Telehealth services (consultations that take place either via telephone or via suitable video apps) have become widely available across the country as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Australian Government subsidises telehealth appointments through the Medicare Benefits Scheme.
Many GPs, specialists and other healthcare providers now offer the option of a telehealth consultation when a physical examination isn’t necessary. It is not intended to replace essential visits to the doctor, but rather be a convenient solution when you can’t see a doctor face to face.
The Australian Government has committed to ensuring telehealth services and infrastructure will continue to play a key role in healthcare provision from now on, however, the funding and policies to support this will continue to be updated.
Most Australian children covered by Medicare can receive free general dental services through the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Children under 18 are usually eligible if their family is covered by certain family tax benefits.
Those with eligible concession or health care cards can apply for free or low-cost public dental health care. These cards include:
➤ Health Care Cards or Pension Concession Cards issued by Centrelink.
➤ Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards.
➤ Pensioner Concession Cards issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The access criteria vary between the states and waiting lists can stretch to one to two years.
If you have dental damage and are also on immunosuppressants (for example, for autoimmune conditions) you may qualify for emergency care.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is an Australian Government scheme that enables people with a Medicare card to access many prescription medications at a subsidised price. These medications have been intensely reviewed by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) before being approved for use by patients. The Scheme is part of Australia’s broader National Medicines Policy.
The actual cost of PBS-listed medications can be substantial. For example, biologic medications for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis can cost over $1,000 per month. In contrast, you only have to pay a small co-payment for PBS-listed medications.
As of 1 January 2024, the maximum PBS co-payment for general patients is $31.60 per script. For concession card holders, the maximum PBS co-payment is $7.70 per script. These amounts are indexed on the first day of every new year.
The Closing the Gap (CTG) – PBS Co-payment Program
The CTG PBS Co-payment program was established in July 2010 to improve access to affordable PBS medicines for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
When obtaining PBS General Schedule or Section 100 medicines when dispensed by a community pharmacy, approved medical practitioner or private hospital, eligible people who would normally pay the full PBS co-payment will pay the concessional rate and those who would normally pay the concessional rate receive their PBS medicines without being required to pay a PBS co‑payment.
From 1 January 2025, the CTG PBS Co-payment Program will be further expanded to include all PBS medicines (including section 85 and section 100 medicines) dispensed by public hospitals.
You will be eligible for the Program if you meet all the following requirements. You:
➤ Self-identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian, and
➤ Will have setbacks in preventing or managing their condition if you don’t take the medicine, and
➤ Are unlikely to keep up your treatment without help with the cost and are enrolled with Medicare.
Your age, where you live and your chronic disease status don’t matter.
Eligible people can’t register themselves for the CTG PBS Co-payment. However, the following health practitioners can register you.
➤ A PBS prescriber
➤ An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner registered with both the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Medicare.
If you have chronic health issues, your co-payments can add up quickly. For many, this can mean taking medications less often even if it adversely affects their health. These costs can also have a major and negative impact on the household budget.
The PBS Safety Net reduces the cost of prescription medicines for individuals and families once the PBS Safety Net threshold has been reached. There are different thresholds for general patients and concession card holders. The threshold limits are based on your co-payment totals in each calendar year.
As of 1 January 2023, the threshold for general patients is $1,563.50 while the threshold for concession card holders is $262.80.
It is important to keep a record of your PBS medicines on a Prescription Record Form, available online or from your pharmacist. Use this form to record your PBS medicines so you know when you have reached the PBS Safety Net threshold. You can combine the amounts for all eligible family members to help you reach the safety net sooner.
If the same pharmacist provides all your PBS medicines, ask them to keep a record for you. If you use different pharmacies, you’ll need to track your medicine expenditure yourself.
Once you reach the threshold, you will need to apply for a PBS Safety Net Card through your pharmacist. You can show this whenever you purchase prescription medication at any pharmacy. General patients will then pay $7.30 per script while concession card holders will receive their prescription medications for free for the rest of the calendar year.
If you spend more than the threshold amount in a calendar year (for example, if you use various pharmacies without showing a PBS Safety Net Card), you can apply for a refund for the difference. Refund forms can be submitted through your pharmacist or completed online on the PBS Safety Net website.
(Note: You can get detailed information on prescription medicines and other treatments in the Medicine Finder section of the NPS MedicineWise website.)
60-day prescriptions of PBS medicines
Since September 2023, many selected PBS medicines for common chronic conditions have become cheaper. Now, a single prescription for these medicines can give you 60 days’ supply instead of 30 days’ supply. This reduces the amount you pay for medicines overall and means fewer visits to your GP and pharmacy.
If you pay the general co-payment of $30 for one of the eligible medicines, you are expected to save up to $180 per medicine per year. If you reach the PBS Safety Net, you will save even more.
If your eligible medicine costs less than $30 you will still save money and the cost of your medicines will be further reduced if you reach the PBS Safety Net threshold.
Concession card holders who do not reach the PBS Safety Net could still save up to $43.80 per medicine per year.
To qualify, you must:
➤ Live with an ongoing health condition, and
➤ Be assessed by your prescriber to be stable on their current medication, and
➤ Have discussed your medication with your prescriber, and
➤ Have received a new 60-day prescription.
The price changes are happening in stages. By September 2024, the 60-day script change will apply to more than 300 out of approximately 950 prescription medicines listed on the PBS. This includes some arthritis medications. Ask your treating doctor if any of your medications are included.
Not all medicines are considered suitable for 60-day prescriptions and the reasons for this are varied. For example:
➤ Having an excess of medications at home could be a safety risk for you or those around you.
➤ Your dose may need to be monitored or adjusted regularly.
➤ The medication may only be prescribed for short-term use.
Your doctor or health professional will decide whether you are best suited to a 60-day or 30-day prescription according to their clinical judgement.
Electronic prescriptions (ePrescriptions or eScripts) enable the prescribing, dispensing and claiming of medicines, without the need for a paper prescription.
Previously, the legal document for a prescription was the piece of paper that you take from your doctor to your pharmacy. With ePrescriptions, the legal document is the prescription data that gets uploaded to a secure and encrypted data exchange service (MediSecure).
If you choose to receive an ePrescription you can control which pharmacy can access it in one of two ways. You can opt to receive a token via SMS, email or paper printout for each item prescribed. The token provides a link to a unique code used by the dispensing pharmacy to access the legal document for dispensing.
Alternatively, you can elect for the new prescription to be added to your Active Script List (MySL). You can give your pharmacies, doctors and third-party intermediaries access to your list for an ongoing or specific period. Once granted access to this list, a pharmacy may dispense the items you need. Similarly, doctors and third-party intermediaries, with your consent, can view your active list of scripts.
The ePrescription services support digital health services (such as telehealth services), electronic medication charts in hospitals and residential care facilities and provide an opportunity to protect community members and healthcare providers from exposure to infectious diseases (for example, COVID-19).
Regardless of which method you choose, you will always be in control of who can access your ePrescriptions. Paper prescriptions will continue to be available as an alternative option.
National Immunisation Program
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. It aims to increase national immunisation coverage to reduce the number of cases of diseases that are preventable by vaccination in Australia.
The NIP provides certain free vaccines for babies, young children, teenagers, older Australians and those with specific medical conditions. Eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits. The National Immunisation Program Schedule outlines the recommended vaccines given to people at specific times in their lives.
State and territory health departments also fund some additional vaccines. It is important to also check the immunisation schedule for your area.
The National Immunisation Handbook has specific recommendations for people who are immunocompromised. Some people in this group are at risk of adverse events or vaccine-related disease if they receive a live vaccine (a vaccine containing weakened forms of live viruses or bacteria). This includes:
➤ People who have certain autoimmune diseases, particularly if they are on highly immunosuppressive therapy.
➤ People who are taking highly immunosuppressive therapy including biologic DMARDs, targeted synthetic DMARDs or high-dose corticosteroids.
COVID-19 vaccines
All Australians aged 5 and over can have a COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination is also recommended for children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep you, your family, friends and the community safe. COVID-19 will be with us for many years. Getting vaccinated has many benefits including:
➤ Protecting yourself against severe illness and death from COVID-19.
➤ Preventing complications such as long COVID.
➤ Protecting people who can’t be vaccinated due to medical conditions.
➤ Slowing the spread of the virus.
➤ Keeping hospitalisation rates at a level our health system can cope with.
Some illnesses, conditions or treatments can increase your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. For example, these may include autoimmune conditions, some types of cancers or chronic organ diseases. Other factors may include (but are not limited to):
➤ Your age (especially if you are over 70 years old).
➤ Being an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
➤ Being pregnant.
➤ Having a severe disability.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has been providing regular updates about COVID-19 vaccines and eligibility since the vaccines became available in Australia. On 1 September 2023, ATAGI issued advice on who should consider receiving an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in 2023.
You can find updated COVID-19 booster advice for rheumatology patients on our CreakyJoints Australia website.
This information should never replace the information and advice from your treating doctors. It is meant to inform the discussion that you have with healthcare professionals, as well as others who play a role in your care and well-being.
My Health Record
The My Health Record platform is operated by the Australian Digital Health Agency. MHR is a free online resource where you can securely store your health information and share it with others.
The My Health Record (MHR) platform has existed for some years as an “opt-in” option. All Australians will have a My Health Record created for them (unless they opted out of the system before 31 January 2019). You can access and manage your own record online.
You can permanently delete your record if you choose to. If you have previously opted out before 31 January 2019 or cancelled your My Health Record, you can register for a record at any time.
How is My Health Record used?
Your record can be used to store information such as your medications, allergies or conditions, emergency contacts or pathology results. At your medical appointments, your doctor can see all your information at a glance, including information added by other providers. This is especially useful for those with chronic health issues or in emergencies.
Who can access my personal health records?
You decide who can input information, who can see your records (including doctors, hospitals and other health service providers), and what information you want to include. You can have a record and simply leave it there for your approved providers to use as required. Or, you can decide to opt out of certain selections, restrict who can access your records and set up unique passwords.
Healthcare providers must also register to use the My Health Record platform. Only the healthcare provider organisations involved in your care and who are registered as MHR System Operators are legally allowed to access your record.
Not all healthcare providers are registered to use the platform. If you want to ensure your provider uploads clinical documents to your record, ask if they are a registered operator before your appointment. If they are not registered, you may want to change providers.
My Aged Care
My Aged Care is an Australian Government service that provides information and support to help older adults understand, access and navigate the aged care system. It can be accessed via the My Aged Care website, via phone on 1800 200 422 or in person at selected locations throughout the country.
My Aged Care provides:
➤ Information on the different types of aged care services available.
➤ An assessment of needs to identify eligibility and the right type of care.
➤ Referrals and support to find service providers that can meet your needs.
➤ Information on what you might need to pay towards the cost of your care.
Who is eligible for My Aged Care?
To receive My Aged Care services you must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and have:
➤ Noticed a change in what you can do or remember, or
➤ Been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility, or
➤ Experienced a change in family care arrangements, or
➤ Experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.
To check your eligibility and evaluate your needs you will go through a two-part assessment process. The first part is a simple eligibility check which you can do online or over the phone. The next part is an in-person assessment conducted in your own home.
After your assessment, you will receive an assessment result and, if eligible for services, a support plan. Your support plan will explain what services you are eligible for.
Note: If you are not eligible OR if you are on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless, and aged 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), please call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 to discuss your situation.
If you are under 65 and need help with daily living, you may be eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). (See below for more information about the NDIS.)
What types of care can I receive?
The type of My Aged Care support you receive will be based on your needs. For example, if you can do many things yourself but need a bit of help with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning or gardening you could be eligible for subsidised support services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
These supports enable you to continue living independently in your own home for as long as possible. In many cases, having someone to do these daily tasks with you or for you can help you save your energy for the fun things in your life.
Other supports and services you might need include having:
➤ Modifications such as handrails or ramps installed around the house.
➤ Someone to take you shopping or to events.
➤ A nurse or physiotherapist comes to your home to assist you with healthcare matters.
If you can still live at home but your needs are more complex or intensive, you may be eligible for a Home Care Package (HCP).
If living at home is becoming a bit too hard or if you need somewhere to stay for a short period, you may need a few weeks of respite care in an aged care facility. You can also get help to select and move to an aged care facility permanently if that is the best option for you.
How much does My Aged Care cost?
Initial My Aged Care assessments are free. The cost of aged care services varies from person to person. It depends on the care you are eligible for, the aged care provider you choose, and your financial situation.
While the Australian Government may contribute to the cost of your care, you will also be asked to contribute if you can afford to. Some of the fees and costs depend on your financial situation. The Australian Government uses income assessments or means (income + assets) assessments to work this out.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government scheme that is operated by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It is not a welfare scheme so it operates independently of both Centrelink and Medicare.
Instead, it provides funding for, and assistance with, accessing a range of community supports determined by the person’s needs and goals. The types of support that the NDIS may fund for participants include:
➤ Help with daily activities such as personal care, cooking, cleaning or gardening.
➤ Transport to enable participation in community, social, economic and daily life activities.
➤ Workplace help to allow a participant to successfully get or keep employment in the open or supported labour market.
➤ Therapeutic supports including behaviour support.
➤ Home modification design and construction.
➤ Assistive devices and technology such as mobility equipment.
The NDIS is not income tested so it won’t affect Centrelink income support payments such as the Disability Support Pension. This means you can work or study full-time and still be eligible for the NDIS.
Who can access the NDIS?
NDIS applicants must:
➤ Be aged between 9 and 65 years old, and
➤ Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder and live in Australia, and
➤ Have a disability caused by a permanent impairment and usually need disability-specific supports to complete daily life activities.
Note that, while your condition must be permanent, it does not have to affect you every day. For example, if your condition is recurring or in remission, you may still receive some support.
From 1 July 2023, the upper age limit for support via the early childhood approach was raised from children under 7 to children under 9 years old. This change is expected to be rolled out over two years.
Currently, people aged 65 or over cannot access the NDIS but may be eligible for My Aged Care. However, if you turn 65 after being approved for NDIS support, you may choose to continue to receive support for the remainder of your life subject to the same periodic reviews as other recipients. Alternatively, once you turn 65, you may choose to apply for support services through My Aged Care. You cannot receive support from both the NDIS and My Aged Care at the same time.
What conditions are recognised by the NDIS?
Disabilities may include physical and mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities. Your eligibility is determined, not only by the condition itself but how long it will last and how it impacts your life (your functional capacity). Therefore, someone with osteoarthritis may be eligible while someone else with the same condition may not, for example. Each person is assessed on their own capabilities and needs.
You will need to provide evidence of your disability as part of your NDIS application. The more supporting evidence you have from your treating health providers, the better.
The NDIS has categorised many of the reasons people may seek support into several categories:
➤ List A: Conditions that are likely to meet disability requirements, such as autism and blindness.
➤ List B: Permanent conditions for which functional capacity is variable and further assessment of functional capacity is generally required. Rheumatoid arthritis is on this list.
➤ Other lists: These cover existing clients of disability programs and more.
If your condition is not included on any of these lists, you may still be eligible for NDIS support. Each application is processed on a case-by-case basis, so your overall situation will be considered.
How does the NDIS planning process work?
If you are approved for support through the NDIS, you will have an appointment with your Local Area Coordinator or NDIA planner. This person will help you map out your relevant short-term and long-term goals and create a plan for reaching them. For example, your goals might include getting ramps or rails in your house, returning to work or attending regular community events.
Once your plan is approved, funding will be allocated for the services needed to help you reach your goals. You can choose to manage your plan and funds yourself or have someone else manage them for you. Plans are reviewed every one to two years and can change over time.
There are many NDIS support groups and advocacy groups online that you can turn to for general tips and support from others in similar situations. You can find such groups via a Google search or by searching for “NDIS” on social media platforms.
NDIS Review
An extensive review of the NDIS commenced in October 2022. It looked at the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS. It also looked at ways to make the market and workforce more responsive, supportive and sustainable.
In December 2023, the final report of the review was presented to appropriate Commonwealth, State and Territory Government ministers. The full Government response to the review will be released in 2024.
Centrelink Payments and Benefits
The following payments and benefits are available through Centrelink. Each has specific requirements that affect your eligibility. These include (but are not limited to) your:
➤ Medical conditions and supporting evidence.
➤ Age.
➤ Income and assets.
➤ Australian residency status.
See the Centrelink Payment and Services Finder for more information. Most Centrelink payments and benefits are income and asset tested. The details of these tests vary depending on the benefit or service you are applying for.
Applications can be submitted online, by post or through a Centrelink service centre.
If you have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition and you meet the medical and non-medical access rules, you may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
As with many Centrelink payments for people with chronic illness, you will need medical evidence from your treating health professionals. It is important to take the time to gather enough solid evidence to help support your claim.
Examples of evidence you could provide include:
➤ Physical examination reports.
➤ Medical imaging reports.
➤ Medical history records.
➤ Psychological reports.
➤ Compensation or rehabilitation reports.
It is a good idea to contact Centrelink beforehand if you need help with the information you need to supply.
Applicants may need to undergo a Job Capacity Assessment to determine their medical needs and employment capacity.
You are allowed to have some casual or part-time work, but your pension amount may be affected.
The Mobility Allowance is a Centrelink payment that can help you with travel costs if you have an illness, disability or injury.
To be eligible for the Mobility Allowance, you must meet all of the following requirements. You:
➤ Are 16 years or over.
➤ Meet the appropriate Australian residency requirements.
➤ Have a disability that prevents you from using public transport without extra help. (There does not need to be public transport in your area for you to qualify.)
➤ Have a medical report from your doctor stating you can’t use public transport without help.
➤ Need to travel to and from your home as part of your work, self-employment, training or job-seeking for at least 32 hours every four weeks.
You may also be eligible to receive the Mobility Allowance if you participate in regular volunteer work.
Note that even if you don’t use public transport often, you may still be eligible for this allowance. However, your medical report needs to prove that, if you did have to use public transport regularly, you would find it difficult without help.
The Mobility Allowance is not income tested and you can receive it whether or not you receive other Centrelink benefits. For example, you could be working full-time and still receive this allowance provided you meet the requirements.
If you receive the Mobility Allowance but not the Disability Support Pension, you will also receive a Health Care Card. This is one way people who do not meet the income and asset requirements for other Centrelink benefits can pay concession rates for things like prescription medicines and medical appointments.
Those currently receiving the Mobility Allowance who transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will no longer receive the Mobility Allowance or a Health Care Card, but they may be eligible for financial support for transport and a wide range of other NDIS supports.
Concession and Health Care Cards
Many Centrelink pensions, allowances and benefits come with a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or a similar type of card.
Most of these cards give you access to cheaper prescription medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and concessions on expenses such as public transport, household energy and internet bills and a range of health services.
Other Centrelink pensions and benefits
Centrelink provides a range of other pensions, allowances and benefits including the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Carer payments and the Youth Disability Supplement.
They can also connect you to a wide selection of resources to help if you’re ill, injured or have a disability.
You can view more information about Centrelink pensions and benefits in Services Australia publication A guide to Australian Government payments. This publication is updated annually.
State Government Concessions and Benefits
In Australia, the full range of government concessions and benefits for those with chronic health issues varies between each state and territory. These can include but are not limited to, concession rates or subsidies on utilities, private rentals and taxi services.
Medical Cooling Concessions
Those with a chronic illness that affects their ability to regulate body temperature, may be eligible for a summer electricity bill discount. In Victoria, this is known as the Medical Cooling Concession. The name of the concession and the eligibility requirements differ from state to state.
In all states, you must also have a relevant government concession card, such as a Health Care Card.
Diagnosed medical conditions that may be recognised by your state include fibromyalgia, lymphoedema and multiple sclerosis. You must provide a report from your treating doctor with your application.
Contact your energy supplier or state department of health via the links below for more information.
Assistance with accessing rural health services
The National Rural Health Alliance Ltd has collated a list of the Patient Assisted Travel Schemes designed to provide equitable access to essential health services for people in rural and remote Australia. The schemes are managed by the states and territories and provide travel and accommodation subsidies to and from medical services based on your eligibility.
Other state government concessions
Each state or territory government may also offer their own payments and benefits for those holding current Centrelink Concession or Health Care Cards. You can learn more about these through your respective Australian state or territory government website.
➤ Australian Capital Territory: Assistance
➤ New South Wales: Concessions, Rebates and Assistance
➤ Northern Territory: Community Support and Care
➤ Queensland: Cost of Living Support
➤ South Australia: Disability Concessions and Entitlements
➤ Tasmania: Discounts and Concessions
➤ Victoria: Concessions and Benefits
➤ Western Australia: ConcessionsWA
Other Resources
➤ Australian Disability Parking Scheme: Find out how Disability Parking services vary across Australia.
➤ JobAccess: This is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers.
➤ Medical Costs Finder: A tool to find and understand costs for medical specialist services across Australia. Use the Medical Costs Finder to find typical fees and costs for common medical services, including the cost of seeing a private specialist and being treated in a private hospital.
Contact the relevant health or human services department in your state about other schemes that may benefit you.
You can access most of the above benefits and services through the Australian Government’s myGov portal.
This page covers the main pensions and benefits provided by the Australian Government and state and territory governments. See our Health and Community Services Information For People With Chronic Conditions page for an extensive list of services you may be able to access through other providers.
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