The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.9.2.10 Qualification for PCC

Qualification (1.1.Q.10) criteria

To qualify for a PCC, a person must meet the criteria listed in the following table. Where more detail about a criterion is required, the second column indicates where to find this.

Criterion More detail
ONE of the following:

Be an Australian resident and in Australia (1.1.A.320)

3.1.1 Residence requirements

Be in Australia and receiving a social security pension or benefit solely because of the operation of the scheduled international agreement between Australia and New Zealand

  
AND ONE of the following:

Receiving a social security pension (other than CP for the short term or episodic care of a child)

  

Receiving:

  • JSP
  • YA (job seeker), or
  • PP (claimed and granted on or after 1 July 2006)

AND has a partial capacity to work

1.1.P.65 Partial capacity to work (JSP, YA (job seeker), PP & SpB (NVH))

3.9.2.30 PCC extension rules

Receiving:

  • JSP, or
  • YA (job seeker)

AND is a single principal carer

1.1.P.412 Principal carer

3.9.2.30 PCC extension rules

Aged 55 years or older AND receiving:

  • JSP
  • PPP, or
  • special benefit

AND has been in continuous receipt of one or more of the above income support payments (or a social security pension) for at least the preceding 39 weeks

  

Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZA General qualification rules, section 7(2) An Australian resident is a person who …, section 23(1)-'social security pension'

Cardholders travelling overseas

Concession cards generally have a limited non-cancellation period of 6 weeks if the holder departs Australia temporarily. PCCs will remain current if the holder departs Australia temporarily (for no more than 6 weeks). Some payments are portable for longer than 6 weeks but all PCCs are portable for a maximum 6 weeks absence from Australia.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZUB Non-cancellation of concession cards for temporary overseas absences

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.9.4.20 Non-cancellation of Concession Cards for Temporary Overseas Absences

Provisions for recipients of act of grace payments

A recipient receiving periodical act of grace payment on the same basis as a pension is eligible for a PCC.

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.3.6 Act of grace payments

Qualification for certain single principal carer parents following the death of their only dependent child

A single principal carer parent on JSP or YA (job seeker) may retain their PCC for the 14-week bereavement period following the death of their last dependent child.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZA(2C) If a person is the principal carer of a child who dies …

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.1.90 Continuation, variation or termination of JSP, 3.2.3.70 Continuation, variation or termination of YA

PCC for pensioners losing pension eligibility on 1 January 2017 due to the rebalancing the assets test measure

Pensioners who lost their pension entitlement on 1 January 2017 as a result of the measure to rebalance the assets test had their PCC reinstated from 9 October 2017 with an ongoing income and assets test exemption.

A person remains qualified for a non-income tested PCC provided the person is not otherwise qualified for a PCC associated with a payment and the person is in Australia. If a person is temporarily absent from Australia, the person continues to be qualified for the non-income tested PCC for a maximum period of up to 6 weeks.

Example: Darcey's Age was cancelled on 1 January 2017 due to the rebalancing of the assets test and she was issued with a non-income tested PCC on 9 October 2017. In June 2018, Darcey's assets decreased significantly and she was regranted Age and issued with an Age PCC and her non-income tested PCC was cancelled. In December 2018, Darcey's assets increased and her Age and Age PCC were cancelled and her non-income tested PCC was reinstated.

Example: Winnie was issued with a non-income tested PCC on 9 October 2017. On 3 February 2018, Winnie travelled overseas for 3 months. After 6 weeks his PCC was cancelled. On return to Australia Winnie's non-income tested PCC was reinstated.

Example: Nala is caring for her elderly mother and is receiving CP. On 1 January 2017, Nala's CP is cancelled due to the rebalancing of the assets test and she is issued with a non-income tested PCC on 9 October 2017. In June 2018, Nala's mother enters a nursing home and Nala is no longer required to care for her. Nala returns to full-time employment and remains qualified for a non-income tested PCC.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061ZA(1B) Subject to subsection (3), a person is qualified for a pensioner concession card on a day if …

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