The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme assists people who spend a lot on prescription medications. The 2025 PBS Safety Net threshold is $277.20 for concession card holders and $1694.00 for general patients. Before you meet the threshold, each medicine will cost up to $7.70 for concession card holders and $31.60 for general patients. Once you reach the threshold, you’ll qualify for a PBS Safety Net Card. This provides access to medicines capped at $7.70 for general patients, or free medicine for concession card holders.
For up-to-date information:
- Your local pharmacist is the easiest source of information
- Phone PBS on 1800 020 613
- or visit the Services Australia page on PBS
Recording your PBS medicines
You need to keep a record of the PBS medicines you get on a Prescription Record Form. This form is available from your pharmacist. This form helps you keep a record of all PBS medicines bought so you know when the PBS Safety Net threshold has been reached. If you go to the same pharmacist for all your PBS medicines, you can ask them to keep a computer record for you. If you have a family, ask your pharmacist about combining the amounts for all eligible family members.
Ask your hospital pharmacist if any of the items you get dispensed at the hospital will count towards your safety net. If there are eligible items, they can give you paperwork to take to your community pharmacy to make sure the items are counted toward your total.
PBS Safety Net for families
If you combine your family’s PBS amounts you might reach the PBS Safety Net threshold sooner. You can then get a PBS Safety Net card from your pharmacist.
A family is defined as: a couple legally married and not separated, or a couple in a de facto relationship, with or without dependent children, or a single person with dependent children (someone under 16 years or a full time student under 25 years attending school, college or university, who you substantially support financially).
Payment for PBS items obtained from public hospitals count toward the safety net. Patients should keep their receipts for medications purchased in hospital or from a community pharmacy. If you always go to the same community pharmacist, they should also be able to keep an electronic record of what you have spent. When the patient contribution limit is reached, your pharmacist can issue an appropriate safety net card.
NOTE: If the doctor has written a non-PBS or private prescription, the full price is still paid for this medicine. These medicines don’t count towards the PBS Safety Net threshold.