Health payments
Understanding the PBS Safety Net
The PBS Safety Net reduces what you pay for medicines once your out-of-pocket PBS spending reaches a threshold each calendar year. Here is how it works, what the 2026 limits are, and the practical steps to track your progress.
What is the PBS Safety Net?
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises the cost of medicines in Australia. The PBS Safety Net is an annual spending threshold – once you reach it, PBS medicines become free (for concession card holders) or much cheaper (for general patients) for the rest of that calendar year.
The threshold resets on 1 January each year. Spending from the previous year does not carry over.
2026 thresholds
| Card type | 2026 threshold |
|---|---|
| Concession card holder | $277.20 |
| General patient | $1,748.20 |
Resets 1 January each year. Source: Services Australia.
To find the current year's amounts, check Services Australia — thresholds are updated each January.
How to check your progress
The easiest way is to ask your pharmacy directly.
- 1
Go to or call your usual pharmacy.
- 2
Say this:
“Can you please print my PBS Safety Net record for this calendar year and tell me how much has counted toward my PBS Safety Net so far?”
- 3
Ask specifically for the Safety Net value – some amounts (brand premiums, discounts) may not count the way you expect.
If you use more than one pharmacy
Each pharmacy only tracks their own
If you go to different pharmacies, each one only knows about prescriptions filled there. You will need to ask each pharmacy for a printout, then add the Safety Net amounts together yourself.
Services Australia says it is your responsibility to keep track of spending across multiple pharmacies.
What counts toward the threshold
Not every dollar counts
The Safety Net counts your out-of-pocket PBS costs minus allowable discounts, special patient contributions, and brand premiums. Ask the pharmacist for the Safety Net amount specifically – not just the total you paid.
Checking via My Health Record
You may be able to view PBS/RPBS claims through My Health Record. Use this as a cross-check, not your primary source – the pharmacy printout is usually more reliable and up to date.
- 1Sign in to myGov
- 2Open My Health Record
- 3Go to Documents
- 4Select Medicare Overview
- 5Look for PBS/RPBS medicine claims
My Health Record can include PBS claims from the past 2 years if Medicare information is included in your record.
When you reach the threshold
Apply for a PBS Safety Net card through your pharmacist once you reach the threshold. After that, for the rest of the calendar year:
| Card type | Cost per PBS medicine |
|---|---|
| Concession card holder | Free |
| General patient | Up to $7.70 |
Applies for the remainder of the calendar year after you reach the threshold.
If you reach the threshold before getting the card, you may be able to claim a refund through Services Australia for the difference you overpaid.