Reduction of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net thresholds

Veterans will benefit from the Australian Government’s announcement to lower the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net threshold.

The change will apply to Veteran Card holders who currently access medication under the PBS and Repatriation Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (RPBS).

Veterans have greater access to medicines through the RPBS. The changes to lower the PBS Safety Net threshold will reduce medicine costs for those meeting the threshold sooner, for the remainder of the calendar year.

For concessional patients, the Safety Net threshold will be lowered from $326.40 to $244.80, an $81.60 reduction. This means veterans with a Veteran Gold, White or Orange Card, or blue Pensioner Concession Card, will reach the Safety Net threshold after 36 full priced concessional scripts, and will receive PBS and RPBS medicines at no charge for the rest of the calendar year. Please note the Safety Net is applied to the lowest priced items and excludes higher priced (premium) brand medicines. Any extra charge for a higher priced brand is paid by the patient, together with their usual patient contribution.

No action is required. The reduced threshold will automatically occur from 1 July 2022. Speak to your pharmacist about your PBS and RPBS entitlements to more accessible and affordable medicine.

This applies to all Veteran Card holders who are currently accessing PBS or RPBS medications. To learn more about your entitlements offered with your Veteran card, visit the DVA website.

Further information can be found via the Department of Health website, at Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | The Safety Net Scheme or Reduction of PBS Safety Net Thresholds – Frequently Asked Questions.