Travel outside Australia

The travel rules of your main payment affect your Health Care Card and Pensioner Concession Card when you travel outside Australia.

If you leave Australia to live in another country, we’ll cancel your card when you depart.

If you travel for a short term, your card will remain current for up to 6 weeks. But you must be getting your main payment. If your main payment stops, we’ll cancel your card.

Check the travel rules for your main payment while outside Australia to find out:

  • if you can get your payment when you depart
  • when and how to tell us about your travel plans.

Australia’s immigration department will tell us when you leave. They will also tell us when you return.

Page last updated: 29 June 2023.
QC 31231