Authority required (STREAMLINED) items in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-63020040

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) schedule lists a Streamlined Authority code which applies to each restriction criterion for an Authority required (STREAMLINED) item. Approved prescribers must ensure their patient meets the restriction criteria for the item and must indicate this by putting the corresponding Streamlined Authority code on the prescription. A prescription is only valid for dispensing when a valid Authority prescription form is used and includes the Streamlined Authority code. The code should be recorded where the Authority approval number usually appears.
Note: only one item can be written per Authority prescription (exception, approved public hospital script pads).

If a provider wants to prescribe an amount greater than what is listed as standard in the schedule, authority approval is needed.

There are no Authority required (STREAMLINED) items in the Repatriation Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits.

Streamlined Authority codes are available in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits via the PBS website.

Services Australia does not assess the eligibility of Authority required (STREAMLINED) listings. It is the prescriber’s responsibility to determine if their patient satisfies the Streamlined restriction criteria.

Prescribers must write a non-PBS prescription for Streamlined items not meeting the PBS criteria. There is no exemption process for Streamlined items not meeting PBS indications. Refer enquiries to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) PBS general enquiries.

The Resources page contains a link to the DoHDA PBS general enquiries.

Increased quantities and/or repeats for an Authority required (STREAMLINED) item

If a prescriber increases quantities and/or repeats, they must contact Services Australia for approval. The approval can be requested either via:

• Online PBS Authorities (self-serve)
• Telephone, or
• HPOS form upload/postal (written authority requests)

The Process page contains the procedure for service officers to follow for requests for items where the quantity and repeats are a Streamlined approval or the prescriber is requesting the Streamlined code.

Approved suppliers must enter the Streamlined Authority code when claiming PBS Authority required (STREAMLINED) items (for the listed quantity and/or repeats).

All claims with an incorrect or missing Streamlined Authority code or Authority approval number will be rejected.

Prescriptions for increased quantities and/or repeats must have a Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) issued Authority approval number. In these circumstances, the Streamlined Authority code cannot be used.