Download the full article below.
To address this question, we compare the benefits of the PCC with other Centrelink cards, including the Low Income Health Care Card (LIHCC) and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). The detailed eligibility considerations for these three cards are discussed in the article ‘Is your retiree client eligible for a concession?’.
This article explores both the national and state benefits provided by the three Centrelink concession cards and the state or territory seniors cards.
The information in this article is current as of 25 February 2026.
All three Centrelink cards we discuss in this article (PCC, LIHCC and CSHC) provide the following national benefits:
The EMSN is different to and works in conjunction with the Original Medicare Safety Net (OMSN). Under the OMSN, once the annual threshold of gap expenses is reached, Medicare benefits increase to 100% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee for out-of-hospital services for the rest of the calendar year. Individuals can be eligible for the EMSN as well as the OMSN.
The OMSN threshold is also indexed on 1 January each year and for 2026 the threshold is $594.40.
The PCC also provides additional national benefits including:
Whilst these benefits are not national per se, they are common across all eight seniors cards:
Since the Centrelink concession cards do not provide the same local business discounts in all states and territories, a client can gain by holding the seniors cards in their state or territory on top of a Centrelink concession card.
To attempt to assign a value to the various concession cards for each state and territory, assumptions have been made. Please note the footnotes and links provided throughout the article to ensure your client understands the benefits available to them and how to access them. Key assumptions include:
We consider the above mainstream benefits to be applicable to most clients, which we use as the basis for comparing the value of each concession card. However, it is important to note that many additional benefits may apply. We have listed some additional benefits for each state or territory, however, we suggest checking the links provided to determine the full extent of the various benefits offered.
Table 1 - NSW mainstream concession card benefits p.a.
i Sydney Water typical service charges for water and wastewater (stormwater not included).
ii Based on yearly renewal fee.
iii Includes registration fee and vehicle tax with tare weight between 1,155kg – 1,504kg.
From the mainstream state benefits listed above, the PCC can be worth $1,496 p.a. more than the LIHCC due to council rates, water and car discounts. The LIHCC can be worth $195 p.a. more than the CSHC due to gas and electricity discounts.
There are other concessions your clients might benefit from, including but not limited to:
permanent resident of Victoria
i Victorian Health and Human Services department example, $100.62 off $672 quarterly bill.
ii Victorian Health and Human Services department example, $88.54 off $580 quarterly bill (only available for charges between 1 May and 31 October).
iii Metropolitan area, includes Transport Accident Charges (TAC).
From the mainstream state benefits listed above, the PCC can be worth $559 p.a. more than the LIHCC due to council rates and car registration discounts.
The LIHCC can be worth $1,123 p.a. more than the CSHC due to water, gas, electricity and car registration discounts.
One large benefit of the PCC, LIHCC and CSHC in Victoria is the one-off Pensioner stamp duty concession. Homes bought for $600,000 or less receive a full exemption (the maximum concession is $31,070 for $600,000 purchases). The concession scales down for homes valued from $600,001 to $750,000 where it ceases. First home buyers will need to choose to receive the pensioner duty exemption/concession or the duty benefits available to first home buyers. They will not be able to get both for the same transaction.
There are other less common concessions your clients might benefit from, including but not limited to:
i Assumes four cylinder vehicle and concession card issued after 1 July 1994.
ii Eligible for one pair every two years if held card for at least 6 months. Assumes a cost of $100.
The Seniors Card in Queensland has very generous state governments benefits, unlike most other states. However, from the mainstream state benefits listed above, the PCC can still be worth $320 p.a. more than the Queensland Seniors Card by itself due to council rates and water discounts.
There are other concessions your clients might benefit from, including but not limited to:
An Australian Citizen, or hold an Australian Permanent Resident Visa and reside in Western Australia
i For Synergy or Horizon power customers. PCC and LIHCC holders may also qualify for an additional dependent child rebate.
ii 50% discount off example from WA department of transport, car weighing 1,650 kg.
iii $54.34 every two years.
A client who holds the WA Seniors Card, LIHCC and CSHC, can receive the same mainstream benefits as the PCC. However, there are other benefits that are only available to PCC holders that clients may benefit from, including:
In WA, the CSHC is worth a significant amount when combined with the Seniors Card, about $1,421 p.a. more than for clients who just hold the Seniors Card, thanks to car registration discounts and better rates, water and drivers license discounts.
WA in particular has various and extensive benefits on top of the regular rates, energy and car discounts, including but not limited to:
permanent resident of South Australia
i Must also have income below certain thresholds.
ii Must not be living with anyone with more than $3,000 p.a. income, unless a spouse or receiving a Centrelink allowance.
iii Based on registration fee calculator and assumes district zone one and 4 cylinder sedan.
From the mainstream state benefits listed above, the PCC can be worth $166 p.a. more than the LIHCC due to annual car discounts. The LIHCC can be worth $626 p.a. more than the CSHC due to eligibility for water concessions. In South Australia, the cost of living concession replaces the council rate concessions offered in other states and territories.
Unlike many other states, the CSHC does provide some state benefits.
There are other concessions your clients might benefit from, including but not limited to:
permanent resident of Tasmania
i If TasWater client, up to $566 if not.
ii Maximum daily concession multiplied by 365.
iii Based on a 4 cylinder light vehicle with $60.20 discount for registration plus 40% discount on motor tax.
From the mainstream state benefits listed above, LIHCC holders receive the same benefits as PCC holders. The PCC can also provide less common benefits for clients, such as:
There are other less common or one-off concessions your clients might benefit from, including but not limited to:
permanent resident of ACT
i 1 year renewal. For LIHCC holders, discount subject to a good driving record (reduced discount otherwise).
ii Based on fee estimator for a car 1,155 kg – 1,504 kg with emissions category A.
iii $200 subsidy every two years.
From the mainstream territory benefits listed above, the PCC can be worth $883 p.a. more than the LIHCC due to council rates and fire and emergency levy concessions. The PCC is worth about $2,231 more than the CSHC. In addition, PCC holders receiving an Age Pension entitlement can also access the Pensioner duty concession scheme. This provides a one-off stamp duty concession which can be worth up to $35,238. Eligible pensioners acquiring properties valued at $1,020,000 or under will not pay duty, while those acquiring property over $1,020,000 may now be eligible for a reduction in duty. Importantly, to be eligible, clients must be receiving Age Pension (holding a non-means tested PCC will not help gain eligibility).
The LIHCC still has considerable benefit, more than someone just on the seniors card and/or CSHC, thanks largely to the utilities benefit.
There are other less common or one-off concessions your clients might benefit from, including but not limited to:
permanent resident of NT
i Darwin rate.
ii Up to $502.20 every two years for the individual and their registered dependents.
The LIHCC and CSHC have little territory concession value in NT, but the PCC can be worth $3,176.12 alone.
Those age 65 and above can join the NT Seniors Recognition Scheme and receive a $550 prepaid card to spend on purchases.
With recent falls in domestic and global investment markets, your clients could be facing increasing challenges to their retirement income.
