Pension Path · https://pensionpath.com.au/glossary/ · Guidance reviewed 2026-10-05
Independent information service. Official agencies decide claims and entitlements.
Glossary
Words explained
Find a word here, then open its guide for the conditions and next steps.
- Account-based pension
An income stream paid from your own super. Its balance, withdrawal rules and investment risks differ from government Age Pension.
- Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
The tribunal that can consider further review of relevant government decisions. Available stages and deadlines depend on the decision.
- Age Pension
An Australian government payment assessed against age, residence, income and assets rules. It is separate from money paid out of your own super.
- Arrears
Money owed for an earlier period. Review timing can affect how far back an entitlement payment can be made.
- Assets
Money, property and other things of value considered in an assessment. Some are exempt or have special treatment.
- Assets test
The assessment using your assessable assets. Centrelink also applies an income test and uses the lower applicable pension result.
- Australian working-life residence
A legal measure of Australian residence used in some overseas pension calculations. It is not simply the number of years you were employed.
A Services Australia officer who conducts a free formal review of a decision. This differs from making a service complaint.
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
A health concession card with its own eligibility and income rules, without an assets test. It is not interchangeable with PCC or a state Seniors Card; DVA categories can differ.
- Deeming
Rules applying assumed income to certain financial assets instead of using their actual return.
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
The Australian agency administering specified veteran and family support. Its payment and card rules can differ from Services Australia's routes.
- Gifting
Giving away money or assets, or transferring them below market value. An amount can remain assessable under pension rules.
- Granny-flat interest
A lifetime accommodation right under social security rules. It does not necessarily mean a separate dwelling and needs individual assessment.
- Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS)
A voluntary government loan secured against suitable Australian property. It involves borrowing and interest, rather than a grant or extra pension entitlement.
- Illness-separated couple
A couple assessed as unable to live together because of illness or infirmity when conditions are met. Single payment rates may apply while combined couple means tests continue.
- Income stream
Regular payments from a product or arrangement, such as a super pension or annuity. Types and start dates can have different assessment rules.
- Income test
The assessment using income counted under pension rules, including relevant deemed income. It is separate from the assets test.
- Low Income Health Care Card (LIHCC)
A concession card with an income assessment distinct from CSHC. Claims and renewals use a specified recent period, rather than simply annual salary.
- Means tests
The income and assets assessments used to decide the payable rate. Couples generally have combined assessment rules.
- Medicare Safety Nets
Schemes providing additional benefits for eligible out-of-hospital Medicare costs. Couples and families need family registration even when sharing a Medicare card.
- Nominee
A person formally authorised under an agency's arrangements for specified actions. Being a family member or helping with a form does not automatically create authority.
- PBS Safety Net
A separate scheme based on eligible medicine spending during the calendar year. Pharmacy records are distinct from Medicare Safety Net records.
- Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
A card generally provided with eligible government payments. Each health service or local concession still has its own conditions.
- Principal home
Your main home. It is usually exempt from the pension assets test, subject to conditions; sale proceeds and other property have separate rules.
- Rent Assistance
Help with eligible rent or accommodation costs linked to an eligible government payment. It is not a standalone payment for every renter.
- Seniors Card
A state or territory scheme with local age, residence and work conditions. Business-discount alternatives may have different benefits.
- Superannuation (super)
Money held for your retirement. Release, tax and assessment rules differ from government Age Pension qualification.
- Work Bonus
An offset against eligible work income for qualifying pensioners. It changes assessable income; it is not extra cash paid into your bank account.
Use the full rule for your circumstances
These short explanations do not decide eligibility or replace an agency's assessment. Each linked guide includes official sources and its editorial review date.
Speak to someone if a letter or term remains unclear.
Glossary guidance updated 5 October 2026. How we use sources and updates.