PBS changes put cheaper medicines within reach
13 Jan 2026
From 1 January 2026, the maximum PBS co-payment for all Medicare card holders has dropped to $25 per prescription, down from $31.60. The concessional co-payment remains unchanged at $7.70 for pensioners and concession card holders, with this rate locked in until 2030.
The Government says the lower co-payment is designed to make essential medicines more affordable and help Australians fill their prescriptions without delaying treatment due to cost.
Alongside the co-payment cut, eligible patients can continue to benefit from 60-day prescriptions for some stable, ongoing conditions. This allows people to receive double the usual supply on a single script, without affecting their eligibility under the new pricing changes.
Australians are encouraged to view the campaign materials to learn more about how the PBS co-payment reduction works and what it means for them.
Source: Australian Government – Department of Health and Aged Care
