PBS Authorities updates
Stay up to date with the latest PBS Authorities updates from Services Australia here.
Friday 20 June 2025
Planned changes to severe psoriatic arthritis program
Changes are coming to enable digital self-service for all severe psoriatic arthritis PBS Authorities. From 1 July 2025, you will be able to use the Online PBS Authorities system to request PBS Authority approvals for adalumumab, bimekizumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, guselkumab, infliximab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, tofacitinib, upadacitinib and ustekinumab.
Summary of changes from 1 July 2025:
Initial treatment
Authority applications can be made digitally using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.
Tip: Document your patient's baseline values in their medical records, as these may be needed for future applications.
Initial grandfather (for bimekizumab or risankizumab only)
Authority applications can be made digitally using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.
Tip: Document your patient's baseline values in their medical records, as these may be needed for future applications.
Change/recommencement
Authority applications can be made digitally using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.
Tip: Document your patient's new baseline values and failures to previous medicines (if applicable) in their medical records, as these may be required for future applications. You may need to provide your patient’s previous baseline values to demonstrate their eligibility for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Continuing
Authority applications can be made digitally using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.
Tip: You may need to provide your patient’s baseline values to demonstrate their eligibility for PBS-subsidised treatment.
First continuing, subsequent continuing (for adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab only)
Authority applications can be made digitally using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.
Tip: You may need to provide your patient’s baseline values to demonstrate their eligibility for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Subsequent continuing (for biosimilar brands of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab only)
There are no changes to the administration of subsequent continuing applications for biosimilar brands of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab. These remain Authority Required (STREAMLINED).
Services Australia has also provided the item code 'cheat sheet' for severe psoriatic arthritis. They have provided this information to assist you with getting started and becoming more familiar using the Online PBS Authorities system, these details will be accurate at as 1 July 2025, however are subject to change as the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing makes changes to the PBS Schedule.
Download the item code 'cheat sheet'
Wednesday 18 June 2025
PBS Authorities podcast
The second edition of the PBS Authorities podcast is now available on Services Australia’s Health Professional Education Resources website.
Join Loretta and Joe from Services Australia, as they provide listeners with an update on:
- what has been happening over the last 12 months with the Online PBS Authorities system,
- the transformation occurring for written PBS Authorities to online,
- the focus on our digital service offer with the updated webservices for integration, and
- a new channel for requesting RPBS Authorities from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Listen to and download the PBS Authorities podcast
In addition to the podcast, there's also a range of educational resources available on the Health Professional Education Resource's website. This includes stimulations and an infographic on the Online PBS Authorities system.
More information about the Online PBS Authorities system
Tuesday 17 June 2025
Changes when requesting PBS authority approval for stimulants
Services Australia has provided the below update regarding recent changes when requesting PBS authority approval for stimulants.
Due to an amendment to the PBS listing for stimulants from 1 June 2025 to include nurse practitioners as eligible prescribers where they are continuing treatment initiate by a medical practitioner, the questions and answers asked when seeking a Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) authority approval for the stimulants have changes.
Services Australia is required to ensure the patient meets all aspects of the restriction. This includes confirming the type of health practitioner who is treating the patient.
Services Australia and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have been working together to increase the number of PBS medicines that can be requested and approved for treatment using stimulants.
Using the system makes it easier for you to request authority approval for these medicines from Services Australia. You no longer need to call to request authority approval. Instead, you will be able to use the system to apply for authority approval and provide evidence digitally.
Important information
PBS Authorities items criteria
Under the PBS, medicine are made available based on recommendations form the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). Patients must meet the set criteria to be eligible for PBS-subsidised medicines. Services Australia are unable to provide approval for an Authority Required medication where a patient does not meet the criteria established by PBAC.
If you have concerns or questions about the eligibility criteria set by PBAC, you can contact the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing by email at pbs@health.gov.au.
Ensuring you are providing accurate data
It's important to ensure you are providing accurate and up to date information when completing an authority application. Failure to do so may result in your authority request being rejected.
More information
Read more information about the Online PBS authorities here.
Access a range of educational resources including simulations, podcast and an infographic on the Online PBS Authorities system via the Health Professional Education Resources website.
