PBS and PBS Safety Net

You can get medicine for most common injuries and illnesses at the supermarket or over the counter at your pharmacy. Other medicine may require a prescription from a health professional.

Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme medicine

Some medicines can cost a lot of money. The government funds a program called the PBS that helps by subsidising the cost of some medicines, so it’s more affordable.

If you need it for your injury or illness, your doctor may prescribe a medicine that's covered by the PBS.

How to get PBS medicines

If you’re enrolled in Medicare and have a Medicare number you can use the PBS.

To get PBS medicine you need a prescription from your doctor or health professional. Take the prescription to your pharmacy and the pharmacist will give you the medicine at the subsidised PBS cost. You may get it discounted further if either:

• you have a concession or health care card
• you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian.

There’s more information about how to get PBS medicines on the Services Australia website.

To find out what medicines are subsidised, search the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule on the PBS website.

PBS Safety Net

If you need a lot of medicines, the PBS Safety Net can help you keep your costs down. You’ll pay less for the medicines you need, if your costs for the year reach a threshold amount.

Find out about the PBS Safety Net and the PBS Safety Net thresholds on the Services Australia website.