PBS Co-payments Freeze

Prior to 2025, both general and concessional PBS co-payments were indexed on 1 January each year, in line with the Consumer Price Index. In 2024, the co-payments were $31.60 for general patients and $7.70 for concessional patients. 

• From 1 January 2025: 
  • a 1-year freeze applies to indexation of PBS co-payments for general patients
  • a 5-year freeze applies to indexation of PBS co-payments for concessional patients
• From 1 January 2025, the allowable discount began to be progressively phased out while annual increases to the PBS co-payment were frozen. 

This means the maximum amount individuals pay for their PBS medicines won’t go up with indexation while the freeze on their co-payment is in place. 

$1 Discount Phase Out

Prior to 2025, pharmacists could reduce the patient co-payment by applying an ‘allowable discount’, up to an amount of $1 for each supply. 

• From 1 January 2025, the allowable discount began to be progressively phased out while annual increases to the PBS co-payment were frozen. 
• The discount will decrease by the amount of indexation that would have applied to PBS co-payments until it reaches zero.

New Allowable Co-Payment Discount

What You Need To Do?

If you have a PBS co-payment discount set at the store, facility, patient, or drug level, these will need to be updated accordingly.

Please refer to the following guides:

• Setting the PBS Co-payment Discount
• Setting PBS Co-payment Discount on a Patient Level

More Information

• Eighth Community Pharmacy Agreement (8CPA) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• 8CPA FAQs - The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
• Setting the PBS Co-payment Discount
• Setting PBS Co-payment Discount on a Patient Level