Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net threshold reduction from 1 July 2022

Page last updated: 16 June 2022

As a cost-of-living measure, the Australian Government is lowering the PBS Safety Net thresholds from 1 July 2022 by the equivalent of 12 fully priced scripts for concession card holders and the equivalent of approximately two fully priced scripts for non-concessional patients.

For concessional patients, the safety net threshold will be lowered from $326.40 to $244.80, an $81.60 reduction for concessional patients. This means when a concession card holder reaches the safety net threshold, after 36 full priced concessional scripts, they will receive PBS medicines at no charge for the rest of the year.

For general patients, the general safety net threshold will reduce from $1,542.10 to $1,457.10, a maximum reduction of $85 for non-concessional patients, which means that after the equivalent of about 34 fully priced general co-payments, general patients pay only the concessional co-payment of $6.80 per PBS script (plus any applicable premiums) for the balance of the year.

Further information can be found at: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | 5. The Safety Net Scheme or FAQs (PDF 169KB) - (Word 75KB) for answers to frequently asked questions.