The Australian Government has introduced a freeze on the maximum patient cost for all PBS medicines. This is a freeze on the co-payment you pay for PBS medicines. This means the maximum cost of your PBS medicines is the same as it was in 2024 and will not increase with indexation in 2025.
Since 1 January 2025, the freeze applies to all Medicare cardholders for one year and extends to 5 years for pensioners and concession card holders.
This measure aims to ease cost-of-living pressures and help patients to not delay filling their prescriptions due to cost.
In addition to the freeze on the maximum patient cost for PBS medicines, you may also get access to cheaper medicines through a 60-day prescription.
Almost 300 medicines are available for 60-day prescriptions, meaning many people can now get twice the medication on a single prescription. The freeze to the maximum cost of PBS medicines will not change your eligibility for a 60-day prescription. Both changes are helping Australians save time and money.
View the campaign materials and learn more about the PBS Co-Payment Freeze.
