PBS Medication Cost Calculator Australia 2026
See what you actually pay on PBS versus the full private price for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Metformin and 9 everyday scripts. Co-payments updated July 2026. Includes concession rates, Safety Net guide and eligibility information.
Step 1: Select your medication
Step 2: Your card type
PBS co-payments current as at July 2026. Private prices are approximate and vary by pharmacy, dose and dispensing fee. Always confirm current prices with your pharmacist. This tool is for general information only and does not constitute medical or financial advice.
What is the PBS Safety Net, and how does it affect what you pay?
Most Australians know about the PBS co-payment. Fewer know about the PBS Safety Net , the annual threshold that makes the rest of your PBS scripts no-cost once you hit it. If you or your family fill multiple scripts per month, this can save hundreds of dollars a year.
Once your household's total PBS co-payment spending reaches $1,748.20 in a calendar year (January to December), the patient co-payment for further PBS scripts drops to the concessional rate of $7.70 for the rest of that year. At $25.00 per script, that's approximately 70 scripts. A family with two adults on 3–4 regular medications can typically reach this by mid-year.
Concession card holders reach the Safety Net after their household's PBS co-payment spending reaches $277.20 in a calendar year. After reaching the threshold, further PBS medicines cost the applicable reduced patient co-payment for the rest of that calendar year.
How to track your Safety Net progress
Your pharmacist records every PBS prescription dispensed to your Medicare card automatically. You can check your Safety Net balance at any time through Medicare online via myGov. Once you are close to the threshold, ask your pharmacist for a Safety Net Entitlement Card , once issued, this confirms to any Australian pharmacy that your remaining scripts for the year are no-cost.
For households managing multiple family members on ongoing scripts, for example, one person on Ozempic, one on Levothyroxine, and children on Salbutamol inhalers, keeping repeats organised and refills on time helps you avoid gaps as you approach the threshold. MediRemind's family profile feature tracks each person's scripts and remaining repeats separately, in one app.
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What is the PBS co-payment in Australia?
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is the Australian government program that subsidises the cost of approved medicines. For most PBS-listed medications, you pay a co-payment and the government covers the rest, regardless of the medicine's actual cost.
As of July 2026, the standard co-payment is $25.00 for general patients and $7.70 for concession card holders (pensioners, Health Care Card holders, and certain other recipients). These amounts are CPI-indexed and set annually, effective 1 January each year.
Not every medication is PBS-listed, and not every patient qualifies for PBS pricing on every medication. Your doctor must prescribe under the PBS item criteria, for many medications (particularly GLP-1 drugs for weight management) this involves an authority prescription with specific clinical requirements.
Once you have a valid PBS script, the co-payment is the same regardless of which pharmacy you use. Chemist Warehouse, an independent pharmacy, or a hospital pharmacy. Dispensing fees may vary slightly, but the co-payment itself is fixed.
Why GLP-1 medications cost so much more than other scripts
Ozempic and Wegovy are GLP-1 receptor agonists. Mounjaro is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. All are weekly injection medications used for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Their PBS status varies significantly, and that variation directly determines what Australians pay.
Ozempic is PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes, so eligible patients pay the standard co-payment. But if you're prescribed it for weight management without a T2D diagnosis, you pay the full private price, typically $150–$280 per month.
Wegovy is not yet PBS-listed for weight management. All patients pay full private price, approximately $269–$460 per month depending on dose. The PBAC issued a positive recommendation in November 2025 for a narrow population (BMI ≥35 + established cardiovascular disease), but price negotiations with Novo Nordisk are ongoing. Until a listing is gazetted, there is no government subsidy. See the full Wegovy cost breakdown →
Mounjaro is the most expensive. Eli Lilly has not agreed to PBS terms for weight management, so virtually all Australians using it for weight loss pay out-of-pocket. At higher doses (10mg–15mg), some patients are paying $600–$700 per month. Read the full Mounjaro PBS situation →
For people self-funding any of these medications, losing track of injection dates, remaining supply or repeat expiry can create unnecessary treatment delays and additional appointments. See the full Wegovy vs Ozempic price comparison →
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How MediRemind helps you protect an expensive script
When you're paying $400+ a month for a medication, the last thing you want is to lose track of your repeats, forget an injection day, or have a script expire before you notice. MediRemind is designed specifically for exactly this situation.
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PBS co-payments shown are current as at July 2026. The PBS Schedule is updated on the first day of every month. Private prices are approximate and vary by pharmacy, dose, dispensing fee and supplier. PBS eligibility depends on your individual clinical circumstances and requires a valid prescription from a registered Australian GP. This information does not constitute medical or financial advice. Always consult your GP or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.
PBS & private prices: medication by medication
Reference period: July 2026How much does Ozempic cost in Australia? (PBS vs private price)
Ozempic is a weekly semaglutide injection that is PBS-listed in Australia for eligible people with type 2 diabetes. Eligible patients pay $25.00/month as a general patient or $7.70/month with a concession card. Without PBS eligibility, including when prescribed for weight management only, private prices typically run $150–$280 per month. See the full Ozempic cost breakdown →
How much does Wegovy cost in Australia? (PBS listing pending, private only)
Wegovy is a weekly semaglutide injection available in Australia for weight management on a private prescription. It is not currently PBS-listed for weight management, so people pay the full private price. Typical costs range from approximately $269/month at the starting dose to $390–$460/month at the maintenance dose. See the full Wegovy cost breakdown →
How much does Mounjaro cost in Australia? (No PBS for weight management)
Mounjaro is a weekly tirzepatide injection available in Australia on a private prescription. It is not currently PBS-listed, so people pay the full private price. Published pharmacy examples checked on 1 September 2026 ranged from $279.99 at 2.5mg to $689.99 at 12.5mg and 15mg. See Mounjaro prices by dose →
How much does Metformin cost in Australia on PBS?
Metformin is one of Australia's most widely dispensed PBS medications, used as first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. PBS patients pay $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession), approximately $300/year. Even privately, generic Metformin is inexpensive at $10–$20/month. Metformin is typically taken twice daily with meals. Consistent dosing and timely repeat prescriptions are important for stable blood glucose management. Many patients take Metformin alongside other diabetes medications such as Ozempic or Jardiance. MediRemind supports multi-medication tracking across all of them from a single app.
How much does Atorvastatin cost in Australia on PBS?
Atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor) is a statin used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. PBS-listed in Australia for hypercholesterolaemia and secondary prevention, it costs $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession) on PBS. Generic Atorvastatin is also inexpensive privately at $15–$30/month. Atorvastatin is taken daily, usually in the evening. As a lifelong cardiovascular medication for most patients, consistent supply matters. A sustained lapse can increase cardiovascular risk. Many patients take Atorvastatin alongside blood pressure medications or diabetes medications; MediRemind handles multi-medication tracking in one place.
How much does Pantoprazole cost in Australia on PBS?
Pantoprazole (brand name Somac) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat acid reflux (GORD), peptic ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. PBS-listed in Australia for approved indications, it costs $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession). Generic Pantoprazole is also available privately at $12–$25/month. Pantoprazole is taken once daily, usually in the morning before food. It is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in Australian general practice. Patients on long-term PPI therapy benefit from regular medication reviews and reliable repeat tracking to ensure continuous supply.
How much does Sertraline cost in Australia on PBS?
Sertraline (brand name Zoloft) is an SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression, panic disorder, OCD, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD. PBS-listed in Australia, it costs $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession). Generic Sertraline is available privately at $20–$40/month. Sertraline is taken once daily. Consistent dosing is especially important with antidepressants. Inconsistent dosing can cause discontinuation symptoms and disrupt treatment progress. For people managing mental health medication long-term, reliable daily reminders and repeat tracking make a meaningful difference to adherence and outcomes.
How much does Salbutamol cost in Australia on PBS?
Salbutamol (brand name Ventolin) is a short-acting bronchodilator used to relieve bronchospasm in asthma and COPD. One of Australia's most dispensed PBS medications, it costs $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession). Privately, Salbutamol is also inexpensive at $10–$20 per inhaler. As a reliever used on an as-needed basis, tracking is still important, particularly for patients with moderate or severe asthma who need to ensure supply is always available. Many patients take Salbutamol alongside a preventer inhaler; MediRemind supports tracking multiple medications simultaneously.
How much does Lisinopril cost in Australia on PBS?
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. PBS-listed in Australia for approved cardiovascular indications, it costs $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession), approximately $300/year. Generic Lisinopril is also affordable privately at $10–$20/month. Taken once daily, Lisinopril is typically a lifelong medication. Consistent supply is essential. Interruptions can cause blood pressure to rise, increasing stroke and heart attack risk. Lisinopril is frequently co-prescribed alongside Atorvastatin for cholesterol or Metformin for type 2 diabetes, making MediRemind's multi-medication tracking particularly useful for patients managing several chronic conditions.
How much does Levothyroxine cost in Australia on PBS?
Levothyroxine (brand names Oroxine and Eutroxsig) is a synthetic thyroid hormone prescribed for hypothyroidism, underactive thyroid. One of Australia's most commonly dispensed medications, it is PBS-listed and costs $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession), approximately $300/year. Privately, generic levothyroxine costs $10–$20/month. Levothyroxine must be taken consistently, ideally first thing in the morning, 30–60 minutes before food and away from calcium, iron, or other medications that interfere with absorption. Running out of supply can disrupt thyroid hormone levels and cause fatigue, weight gain and cognitive changes. For a daily, lifelong medication like levothyroxine, MediRemind's morning reminders and repeat tracking provide genuine peace of mind.
How much does Jardiance cost in Australia on PBS?
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes and, increasingly, to reduce cardiovascular risk and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. It is PBS-listed in Australia for these approved indications. Eligible patients pay $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession). Without PBS eligibility, Jardiance costs approximately $100–$140 per month privately. A PBS saving of around $900–$1,380 per year. Jardiance is taken once daily and is often prescribed alongside Metformin for people with type 2 diabetes who need additional blood glucose management. It also carries specific PBS indications for heart failure and chronic kidney disease. For people managing Jardiance alongside other diabetes or cardiovascular medications, MediRemind's multi-medication tracking keeps all scripts in one place.
How much does Eliquis cost in Australia on PBS?
Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) prescribed to prevent strokes and blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (AF), and to treat or prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). PBS-listed in Australia for approved indications, eligible patients pay $25.00/month (general) or $7.70/month (concession). Without PBS eligibility, Eliquis costs approximately $80–$120 per month privately. Eliquis is taken twice daily, morning and evening, making consistent dosing critical. Inconsistent dosing of an anticoagulant increases the risk of the conditions it is prescribed to prevent. Unlike older anticoagulants such as warfarin, Eliquis does not require regular INR blood tests, but it does require strict daily adherence. MediRemind's dual daily reminders keep a critical cardiovascular script on schedule.
PBS vs private medication prices at a glance: Australia July 2026
All prices in Australian dollars. PBS prices are co-payments only. Private prices are approximate market rates and vary by pharmacy, dose, and dispensing fee. The PBS Schedule is updated monthly; figures shown are current as at July 2026.
PBS co-payments sourced from pbs.gov.au, current July 2026. Private prices are approximate market estimates and vary by pharmacy, dose, and dispensing arrangements. Always confirm current pricing with your pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions about PBS medication prices in Australia
What is the PBS co-payment in Australia in 2026?
As of July 2026, the PBS co-payment is $25.00 per script for general patients and $7.70 per script for concession card holders (pensioners, Health Care Card holders, and certain other recipients). These amounts are CPI-indexed and set annually, effective 1 January each year.
How much does Ozempic cost in Australia with PBS?
On the PBS, eligible type 2 diabetes patients pay $25.00 per month (general) or $7.70 per month (concession) for Ozempic (semaglutide). Without PBS eligibility, for example, when prescribed for weight management only, Ozempic costs approximately $150–$280 per month privately. That is a potential saving of over $2,000 per year with PBS access.
How much does Wegovy cost in Australia? Is it on the PBS?
As of July 2026, Wegovy is not PBS-listed. All patients pay full private price: approximately $269–$320/month at the starting 0.25mg dose, rising to $390–$460/month at the 2.4mg maintenance dose. First-year total is approximately $4,300–$5,160. The PBAC issued a positive recommendation in November 2025 for a narrow population, adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI ≥35. Price negotiations with Novo Nordisk are underway. A PBS listing in the second half of 2026 is possible but not confirmed. Until listed, all patients pay private price.
How much does Mounjaro cost in Australia?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is not PBS-listed in Australia as of 1 September 2026. Published pharmacy examples ranged from $279.99 for a 2.5mg KwikPen to $689.99 for 12.5mg and 15mg. Each KwikPen contains four weekly doses, and prices vary by pharmacy.
How much is Mounjaro at Chemist Warehouse?
Because Mounjaro has no PBS subsidy, Chemist Warehouse and every other Australian pharmacy sell it as a private script at broadly similar prices, roughly $350/month at 5mg up to $600–$700/month at the highest doses. Prices vary a little between pharmacies and change over time, so it's worth ringing ahead. Whichever pharmacy you use, the bigger saving is not wasting a dose or letting a script expire. That's what a medication tracker protects.
What is the PBS Safety Net?
The PBS Safety Net protects Australians who need many PBS scripts in a year. For general patients, once household PBS co-payment spending reaches $1,748.20 in a calendar year (January to December), the patient co-payment for further PBS scripts drops to the concessional rate of $7.70 for the rest of that year. For concession card holders, once household PBS co-payment spending reaches $277.20 in a calendar year, the patient co-payment for further PBS scripts is $0 for the rest of that year. Your pharmacist tracks your Safety Net contributions automatically. You can also check your balance through Medicare online via myGov. Confirm the current threshold at pbs.gov.au.
What is the difference between a general patient and a concession card holder for PBS pricing?
General patients pay $25.00 per PBS script (July 2026). Concession card holders, including pensioners on the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, and Health Care Card holders, pay $7.70 per PBS script. Concession pricing is approximately 70% cheaper. The Safety Net thresholds also differ: general patients pay until $1,748.20 per year; concession card holders reach the Safety Net when household PBS co-payment spending reaches $277.20.
Does the PBS co-payment change every year?
Yes. PBS co-payments are indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and set annually, effective 1 January each year. The PBS medicine schedule (which drugs are listed) updates monthly, but the co-payment amounts themselves only change on 1 January. Always confirm current prices at pbs.gov.au or with your pharmacist before making any medication decisions.
How do I know if my medication is PBS listed?
Search the official PBS Schedule at pbs.gov.au by medication or brand name. The Schedule shows the PBS item number, co-payment type, any authority requirements, and the approved clinical indications. Your GP or pharmacist can also confirm PBS listing and your individual eligibility based on your clinical circumstances.
Can I access PBS pricing at any pharmacy in Australia?
Yes. The PBS co-payment is the same at any approved pharmacy. Chemist Warehouse, an independent pharmacy, a supermarket pharmacy, or a hospital outpatient pharmacy all charge the same government-set co-payment for the same PBS script. Dispensing fees may vary slightly, but the co-payment itself is fixed. You must present a valid PBS prescription from a registered Australian GP.
Why is Mounjaro not on the PBS in Australia?
As of 1 September 2026, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is not PBS-listed for any indication in Australia. The March 2026 PBAC recommendation for adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes did not result in a listing, and the official status record says the listing process has ceased because the manufacturer did not proceed.
Is Mounjaro cheaper than Ozempic or Wegovy in Australia?
Ozempic is far cheaper for eligible patients because it is PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro has no PBS subsidy at any dose; published pharmacy examples checked on 1 September 2026 ranged from $279.99 to $689.99 for a four-week KwikPen, depending on dose and pharmacy.
Will Mounjaro ever be listed on the PBS in Australia?
The future is uncertain. The current official status record says the listing process has ceased because the manufacturer did not proceed. Any future listing would require a new official submission and assessment.
How do I track my Mounjaro dose escalation?
Mounjaro follows a 6-step dose escalation from 2.5mg to 15mg. MediRemind Scripts includes a weekly injection day tracker for GLP-1 medications including Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy, so you always know your last injection day, next due date, and current dose level. You can also store your Mounjaro eScript and get a reminder before your script runs out.
How PBS eligibility works in Australia
PBS pricing is not automatic for every medication or every patient. Your doctor must prescribe the medication under the specific PBS criteria for that drug, and for some medications, this involves steps beyond writing a standard script.
Standard PBS prescriptions
Most common medications, Metformin, Atorvastatin, Pantoprazole, Levothyroxine, Salbutamol, Sertraline, and Lisinopril, are available as standard PBS prescriptions. Your GP writes a PBS script, you take it to any approved pharmacy, and you pay the co-payment. No prior approval from the government is required.
Authority prescriptions
Higher-cost medications, particularly GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes and weight management, require an authority prescription. Your GP must confirm that you meet the clinical criteria for that medication under the PBS, either via a streamlined process or by applying to Services Australia for prior approval. Without a valid authority, you pay private price even if your Medicare card is active. For Ozempic, a non-streamlined authority is required for type 2 diabetes indications.
Streamlined authority
Some authority medications use a streamlined process where your GP writes the PBS authority item number directly on the prescription without prior approval from Services Australia. Your GP carries the responsibility for confirming you meet the criteria. Jardiance and Eliquis use streamlined authority for their PBS indications.
How to confirm your eligibility
- Search the PBS Schedule at pbs.gov.au and read the restriction and indication criteria for your medication.
- Discuss eligibility with your GP at your next appointment, ask specifically whether a PBS authority prescription is available for your clinical situation.
- Ask your pharmacist, they can confirm whether your script was dispensed as PBS or private, and can advise on eligibility questions for common medications.
Already prescribed? See how to manage a weekly injection schedule.
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Disclaimer: This page is produced by Ovara Tech (ABN 43 324 331 038) for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, pharmaceutical, or financial advice. PBS prices are sourced from pbs.gov.au and current as at July 2026 , the PBS Schedule is updated on the first day of every month and prices are subject to change. Private medication prices are approximate market estimates and vary by pharmacy, dose, and dispensing arrangements. PBS eligibility is determined by your prescribing doctor based on your individual clinical circumstances. MediRemind is not a pharmacy, prescriber, or healthcare provider. Always consult a registered Australian GP or pharmacist before making any decisions about your medication.