Social Security Act 1991

Subject to subsection (2) and sections 1061ZJA and 1061ZJB, a person is qualified for a seniors health card on a day if, on that day, the person:

has reached pension age; and

is an Australian resident or a special category visa holder residing in Australia; and

is in Australia; and

satisfies the seniors health card income test; and

is not receiving a social security pension or benefit; and

is not receiving a service pension, income support supplement or a veteran payment; and

is not subject to a newly arrived resident’s waiting period.

If the person is temporarily absent from Australia, the person continues to be qualified for a seniors health card for a maximum period of up to 19 weeks (see Division 4).

A person is not qualified for a seniors health card on a day if:

the person has failed to comply with section 1061ZJ in respect of the reference tax year; or

on that day the person is the holder of a seniors health card under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act; or

where the person made an estimate of taxable income for the reference tax year and the estimate was accepted—the person did not give the Secretary a copy of a notice of assessment of the person’s taxable income for that tax year within 52 weeks after the end of that tax year.

If a person is qualified for a seniors health card, the Secretary must not make a determination granting a claim for the card in certain circumstances if the Secretary makes a request under subsection 75(2) or (3) of the Administration Act of the person (about providing tax file numbers): see subsection 77(1) of that Act.

In subsection (2):