PBS pharmacy approvals: Key dates for the 2026–27 holiday closure
19 Oct 2026
The department will close from 3 pm on Thursday 24 December 2026 until Friday 1 January 2027, inclusive. The portal will remain open for applications and notifications during this period, but assessments will pause.
Applicants who have received an administration number and need approval before the closure must provide any outstanding information and request approval by 4 pm Canberra time on Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Requests received after this deadline will not be processed until Monday 4 January 2027, when approval assessments are scheduled to resume.
New pharmacy applications and relocations
Applications requiring assessment by the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority (ACPA), including applications to establish a new pharmacy or relocate an existing one, must follow the published submission schedule.
The ACPA’s final meeting for 2026 is scheduled for 11 December. Applications for this meeting must be lodged by 12 November 2026.
No ACPA meeting is scheduled for January 2027 because of the department’s closure and the availability of staff and authority members.
Applicants should check the ACPA Pharmacy Location Rules and submission dates before lodging an application.
Changes to ownership or business details
Pharmacy owners planning to change ownership or update other business details before the end of January 2027 are advised to submit the relevant application or request as early as possible.
Processing may take longer than usual during January because of staff availability and the holiday closure.
PBS pharmacy approvals: Key dates for the 2026–27 holiday closure
Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — PBS Approved Suppliers, end-of-year closure arrangements for 2026.