Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.
General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.
The PBS Safety Net cuts what you and your family pay for PBS medicines once you’ve spent a set amount in a calendar year. In 2026, the threshold is $1,748.20 for general patients and $277.20 for concession card holders. Once you reach it and have a PBS Safety Net card, general patients pay up to $7.70 per PBS medicine, and concession card holders get their PBS medicines free for the rest of the year.
Everything resets on 1 January. Below we explain the 2026 figures, how your spending is recorded, how family scripts can be combined and how to apply for the card. If you fill your scripts with us at Pacific Fair, we’re happy to help you keep track.
What are the PBS Safety Net thresholds in 2026?
These are the figures Services Australia lists from 1 January 2026:
| General patient | Concession card holder | |
|---|---|---|
| Co-payment before you reach the Safety Net | Up to $25.00 per medicine | Up to $7.70 per medicine |
| Safety Net threshold for 2026 | $1,748.20 | $277.20 |
| What you pay after reaching it (with a Safety Net card) | Up to $7.70 per medicine | Free |
The general co-payment dropped from $31.60 to $25 on 1 January 2026, and the Department of Health says the concession co-payment will stay at $7.70 until 2030.
How many scripts is that?
If every script cost the full co-payment, a general patient would reach the threshold at about 70 scripts in a year, and a concession card holder at 36. Many people get there sooner when the whole family’s scripts are counted together.
On the other hand, the Department of Health notes that with the lower co-payment and 60-day prescriptions, you or your family may reach the Safety Net later in the year, or not at all. That’s because you’re paying less along the way.
How is your PBS spending recorded?
healthdirect explains that you or your pharmacist needs to keep a record of what you spend on PBS prescriptions, and that the easiest way is to have a regular pharmacy. When you fill your scripts in one place, that pharmacy can keep the record for you.
If you use more than one pharmacy, or fill scripts while travelling, you can track spending yourself with the Services Australia Safety Net prescription record form (form PB240). healthdirect notes you can use it to record the medicines you and your family pay for during the year.
A few tips:
- Show your Medicare card and any concession card each time, so you’re charged the right amount. healthdirect recommends this.
- Keep your receipts if you use more than one pharmacy.
- If you use eScripts or an Active Script List, sticking with one pharmacy makes tracking simpler. Our guide to using eScripts explains how they work.
Can you combine family members’ scripts?
Yes. The Department of Health describes the 2026 threshold as applying when “you or your family” spend over $1,748.20 on PBS medicines in a year, and healthdirect notes the Safety Net may apply if you and your family take several regular PBS medicines.
Ask your pharmacist or Services Australia which family members can be included in your record. Then try to fill everyone’s scripts at the same pharmacy, or list them all on the one form, so nothing is missed.
Does every script count towards the Safety Net?
Not quite. Keep these points in mind:
- It’s PBS medicines that count. healthdirect describes the threshold in terms of the PBS medicines you buy, so ask us if you’re unsure whether a script is PBS or private.
- Brand premiums still apply. The Department of Health says brand premiums and special patient contributions still apply after you reach the Safety Net. Choosing a brand without a premium can save you money all year. See our guide to generic vs brand-name medicines.
- Filling scripts early may not count. healthdirect describes a “20-day and 50-day rule”: if you have a prescription dispensed more than 10 days early, the payment may not count towards the Safety Net threshold.
What happens on 1 January?
Services Australia explains that thresholds are based on a calendar year and reset on 1 January. healthdirect notes that a Safety Net card gives you reduced-cost or free PBS medicines for the rest of that calendar year.
So on 1 January you start again from zero. You’ll pay the usual co-payment until you, or your family, reach the threshold again, and you’ll need a new card for the new year.
How do you apply for a PBS Safety Net card?
Services Australia says that once you reach the threshold, you’ll need to apply for a PBS Safety Net card to get cheaper medicines. If your regular pharmacy has been keeping your record, your pharmacist can help you with the application.
In practice:
- Keep your record up to date, through your regular pharmacy or on a prescription record form.
- When you’re getting close to the threshold, ask your pharmacist how far you have to go.
- Once you reach it, ask your pharmacist about applying for your card.
- Show your card each time you fill a PBS script for the rest of the year.
How can our pharmacy help?
Filling all your family’s scripts with one pharmacy is the simplest way to keep your Safety Net record complete. If you or someone you care for takes several medicines, our Webster packs sort every dose by day and time, and they’re free for concession and health care card holders.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
Talk to your pharmacist or GP if:
- you’re finding your medicines hard to afford (ask about generic options and 60-day prescriptions)
- you’re not sure whether you’ve reached the Safety Net
- you’ve been charged more than you expected for a PBS script
- you’re thinking about skipping doses because of cost; please talk to us or your GP first
If you need a review of your medicines or new scripts, our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option, with walk-ins welcome subject to doctor availability.
Sources
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
Pop in, no appointment needed. We’re on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days and until 9pm on Thursdays.