Australian PBS Safety Net.
The Australian Medicare system provides Pharmaceutical Prescriptions at subsidised prices for most people in Australia.
Some groups, those that hold concession cards, have these Prescriptions subsidised at a greater rate than others.
Updated January 2024.
Normal prices for Prescriptions in Australia are currently:
- up to $7.70 for concession card holders.
- up to $31.60 for general patients.
For people who need a lot of prescriptions in a year, there is a further benefit, the “Pharmaceutical Benefits Safety Net“.
This ensures even higher subsidies for everyone, once they have spent a certain amount on Prescriptions in the year.
On 1 January 2024, the PBS Safety Net thresholds were updated to:
- $277.20 for concession card holders.
- $1,647.90 for general patients.
Before you meet the threshold, each medicine will cost up to:
- $7.70 for concession card holders.
- $31.60 for general patients.
Once you reach the threshold, you’ll need to apply for a PBS Safety Net card to get cheaper medicines.
Your medicine will then either:
- be free for concession card holders.
- cost up to $7.70 for general patients.
The 2024 PBS Safety Net thresholds are:
- $277.20 for concession card holders (about 36 standard prescriptions).
- $1,647.90 for general patients (about 52 standard prescriptions).
The 2020 PBS Safety Net thresholds are:
- $316.80 for concession card holders (about 48 standard prescriptions).
- $1,486.80 for general patients (about 36 standard prescriptions).
Once you reach that threshold, you need to apply for a PBS Safety Net card to get the cheaper Prescription Medicines.
Your Prescriptions after that will then be either:
- Free for concession card holders.
- Up to $6.60 for general patients.
Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au/…/pbs-safety-net-thresholds