Non-Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Miscellaneous Enquiries 012-18060501

This document outlines what to do when a Service Officer receives an enquiry unrelated to the PBS or for PBS information outside the Services Australia authority approval process.

Types of non-PBS and miscellaneous enquiries

Prescribers and suppliers may call Services Australia enquiring about medicines or policies not relating to the PBS, or for PBS information outside Services Australia's authority approval process. For information on Services Australia's approval process, see Authority approval processing for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Repatriation PBS (RPBS) items

These items are approved by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Special Access Scheme (SAS) items

These items are not registered for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). These items are not PBS listed items. See the Resources page for more information on SAS items.

State/Territory Health Departments

State/territory health departments have their own legislation and policies for prescribing and supplying a medicine. Note: some states/territories also require an authority from their health department prior to prescribing certain medicines. As they are both called an ‘authority’, it is sometimes confused with a PBS authority.

The PBS authority provides subsidy for the medicine
A state/territory authority refers to the legislation for prescribing certain medicines

Prescribers and suppliers must follow state/territory laws. Services Australia only administer legislation in relation to the PBS, and do not enforce state/territory laws. For example, state/territory health departments administer the S100 Opiate Dependence program. They may also have additional services such as free vaccinations and S100 co-payment policies.

PBS Statistics

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) statistics and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme RPBS statistics can be located on the Services Australia website.

The Resources page contains a link to the Services Australia website.

PBAC Outcomes

Information regarding the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) outcomes and brief summaries of these outcomes can be located on the PBS website.

The Resources page contains a link to the PBS website.

Compliance Issues

The Department of Health and Aged Care handles compliance issues in relation to the PBS.

The Resources page contains a link to state and territory departments of health.

The Resources page contains a link to the PBS website and contact details for the various categories of Non-PBS and miscellaneous enquiries.

Operational Information