How much can I earn and still qualify for the Low Income Health Care Card?

To be granted the card, your 8-week average gross income must be under $826.00 a week ($6,608.00 over 8 weeks) if you're single with no children, $1,410.00 a week ($11,280.00) if you're a couple combined or a single person with one child, or $1,444.00 a week ($11,552.00) if you're a couple with one child — a separate, higher figure than the couple-no-children row. Add $34.00 a week for each extra dependent child. Effective 20 September 2026.

Is the 8-week income test an average, or does one high week disqualify me?

It's a retrospective average. Services Australia looks at the gross income you actually earned in the 8 weeks immediately before you claim or renew, and averages it. A high-earning week can be offset by lower-earning weeks elsewhere in the same 8 weeks — it isn't a hard cut-off on any single week.

If my income goes up after I get the card, does it cancel straight away?

No. Once you hold the card, it only cancels once your 8-week average crosses a higher limit — 125% of the qualifying figure. For a single person with no children that's $1,032.50 a week ($8,260.00 over 8 weeks); for a couple combined or a single person with one child it's $1,762.50 a week ($14,100.00); for a couple with one child it's $1,805.00 a week ($14,440.00). Add $42.50 a week per extra child.

When do the Low Income Health Care Card limits next change?

The limits are indexed twice a year, on 20 March and 20 September. The figures on this page are the 20 September 2026 limits; the next change is 20 March 2027.

Low Income Health Care Card Checker

Check the 8-week income test for the Low Income Health Care Card and see the limit that applies to your household.

Last verified: 26 July 2026Jump to calculator ↓

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