Cheaper Medicines for Australians: What You Need to Know About PBS Changes

The Australian Government made changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), reducing out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and expanding access to 60-day supplies — here is what it means for you and your community.

What has changed?

Anyone who holds a Medicare card will now pay less for their PBS prescription medicines. The maximum co-payment — the amount a patient pays out of pocket — has been reduced from $31.60 to $25 per prescription. For those with a Commonwealth concession card, the maximum remains at $7.70 per prescription and will stay there until 2030.

Additionally, eligible patients can now access a range of PBS medicines on a 60-day prescription, instead of the previous 30-day standard. This means receiving twice the medication in a single visit, reducing the need for frequent trips to your GP or pharmacy and saving both time and money.

How does the PBS co-payment work?

The PBS is funded by the Australian Government and subsidises the cost of more than 900 prescription medicines. For medicines listed on the PBS, the cost is shared between the patient and the Government — the co-payment is the patient’s share.

Medicare card holders pay up to $25 per prescription, plus any applicable brand premium if a branded medicine is chosen. If the medicine costs less than $25, you only pay the lower amount. Prices may vary depending on the pharmacy where you fill your prescription.

Why does this matter for multicultural communities?

Multicultural and newly arrived communities are among those who stand to benefit most from these changes. Language barriers, limited familiarity with the Australian health system, and low health literacy can make it difficult to understand how the PBS works — and therefore how to make the most of its subsidies.

Community organisations play a critical role as trusted sources of information. Sharing clear, accurate details about these changes can help community members access cheaper medicines and manage their healthcare costs more effectively.

Resources in your language

Ready-to-use resources have been developed in 10 languages to help share this information in newsletters, on social media, or as printed materials in offices and community centres: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Greek, Italian, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Find out more about cheaper medicines at health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines

Or download the full stakeholder pack with translated resources HERE.

Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care · Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme