Processing new Authority requests in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-25052901
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Complex Drugs Programs
National Pharmaceutical Adviser (PA) pilot
Tier 0 technical support - self-sufficiency
Veterans' Affairs Pharmaceutical Advisory Centre (VAPAC)
External websites
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - PBS Streamlined Authority codes
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | For PBS Prescribers - Prescription requirements
Secure printing
Attachment below provides instructions on how to set up and use secure printing on a computer.
Secure printing - set up and print
Letters
Services Australia has endorsed the letter or electronic message for use. It is the latest version. Do not use locally produced letters or electronic message.
Service Officers can start the following letter from the Online PBS Authorities system (OPA system) or DMC. See Digital Messaging Capability (DMC) - Health to create and send letters.
Z3035 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) authority
Mandatory details required for a proposed Authority prescription
Table 1
Mandatory details required for assessing an Authority request
Table 2: this table describes requirements for details of a proposed Authority prescription.
Suggested text for HPOS responses to a prescriber or delegate
Table 3: provides Service Officers with text to be included in an email response to a Prescriber or Delegate when a HPOS item is received.
Item | Description |
1 | HPOS item received which is approved, approved with changes or rejected Please read the attached letter for the outcome of your recent PBS Authority request. For the Eye program also include: Did you know that you can request initial treatment and increased quantities for continuing treatment for this indication for eligible patients using the Online PBS Authorities System and receive a real time assessment result? For more details, go to the Services Australia website and search for 'Request an authority using Online PBS Authorities. |
2 | Stationery received in HPOS upload folder In HPOS support:
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3 | HPOS item has multiple patient prescriptions Dear Prescriber/Delegate, Please note that all application forms/prescriptions must be uploaded separately in Health Professional Online Services (HPOS). Submitting multiple forms in the one message will result in each form not having a unique reference number meaning tracking may be difficult and delays to processing may occur. We have separated the files on this occasion, but multiple applications/prescriptions may be returned to you for individual submission in future. |
4 | HPOS item is a duplicate, and a response has been sent to the previous HPOS item Please note, this prescription has already been assessed, and your response can be found in HPOS reference number XXXXXXXX. |
5 | HPOS item is a duplicate, and a response has not been sent to the previous HPOS item Send appropriate outcome, for example, approval or rejection. See Table 4 on the Process page. |
6 | Incorrect HPOS response sent Please disregard the previous message. |
Details for extemporaneously prepared benefits
Table 4: this table contains a list of codes, maximum quantities and number of repeats for extemporaneously prepared benefits.
Extemporaneously prepared pharmaceutical benefits
Table 5: this table contains a list of common names for items included in extemporaneously prepared pharmaceutical benefits.
Contact details for prescribers and delegates
Table 6: this table provides the teams to contact for help with enquiries from prescribers and their delegates. This is for when they have issues uploading PBS or Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (RPBS) Authority application forms directly to Services Australia or DVA via HPOS Secure Form Upload.
FAQs from prescribers
Table 7: this table is about the 1 July 2024 legislation changes impacting Authorities received. Answers are for Service Officers to use when getting questions from prescribers.
Item | Description |
1 | I ticked/requested for the script to be returned to my patient. Why have you sent it back to me? Due to the changes to legislation, resulting from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing review of PBS legislation, Services Australia internal processes have changed to comply. All prescriptions dated from 1 July 2024 cannot be endorsed by Services Australia and must be returned to prescribers to endorse with the approval details. Services Australia can no longer forward any prescriptions to patients. For further details regarding the legislation changes go to the Federal Register of Legislation website www.legislation.gov.au. Search:
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2 | How do I apply for PBS Authority approval from now on? Original prescriptions dated from 1 July 2024 will no longer be accepted. A photocopy or mandatory details of the proposed PBS authority prescription and a copy of the application form will be accepted. Services Australia recommends using the online channels:
Using these online channels improves access to a patient's treatment as it removes postal delays. For more details, please visit:
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3 | How will I receive the PBS Authority approval without sending you the original script? Services Australia will process Authority requests from photocopies provided. Prescribers will receive an assessment letter from Services Australia outlining the approval details. Prescribers must endorse the approval details, including approval number and item code on the original prescription. Services Australia only provide authority to process the Authority request. The onus is on the prescriber to make sure the prescription is written in accordance with the legislation. Please do not provide original paperwork such as application forms as these are not returned. |
4 | I already have Authority prescription pads. Can I keep using them? Yes, prescribers can, but from 1 July 2024 Services Australia cannot accept original prescriptions or forward approved original prescriptions to the patient, even if the prescriber checked the 'Tick for return to patient' box. |
5 | Do I have to order new stationery? No, prescribers can use residual stock. For prescriptions written from 1 July 2024, please only send Services Australia a photocopy of the prescription. |
6 | Can I send in the tear off section of a computer-generated prescription or the 3rd carbon copy of the prescription? If all mandatory details are provided, this is acceptable. Services Australia will not return any paperwork provided. |
7 | Can I photocopy or print the copy of the prescription and send it in? If all mandatory details are provided, this is acceptable. |
8 | What are mandatory details? See Table 1 for a proposed Authority prescription. |
9 | What about electronic prescriptions? Services Australia can treat mailed/HPOS uploaded applications that include electronic prescriptions as proposed prescription details for the purposes of assessing the request. |
10 | Can I take this further? Yes, submit complaints and feedback via the Services Australia website. |
FAQs from Service Officers
Table 8