Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Approved Suppliers

In the 2018-19 Federal Budget, the Government announced a measure for improving access to medicines – sustainability of the pharmacy approvals process. The transfer of functions from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Department of Health (Health), streamlines the PBS pharmacy approvals process and recovery of costs.

• As at 1 January 2019 all enquiries and applications under S.90, S.91, S.92 or S.94 are administered by Health;
• we are investing in new technology for applications to be lodged online; and
• from 1 July 2019 an online application fee will apply when lodging an application to become a PBS approved pharmacy.

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page for further details regarding transition of functions.

How to Apply

All applications for approval to supply PBS medicines and change of detail requests must be lodged via the Health Data Portal using an AUSkey. Applicants must allow at least 10 business days for the processing of application forms.

Pharmacists’ representatives may still act on behalf of applicant pharmacists submitting an application for PBS pharmacy approvals.

Specific information on how to apply to become a PBS approved supplier and the relevant forms are available for Pharmacists, Hospital Authorities, and Medical Practitioners.

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page for further details on how to apply using the Health Data Portal.

Contact Health

For PBS approval application or Health Data Portal enquiries, please email pbsapprovedsuppliers@health.gov.au or alternatively you can leave a message by contacting the PBS Approved Suppliers hotline on (02) 6289 2419.

For AUSkey enquires please phone the help desk on 1300 287 539 and select option 2 from the menu.

Contact DHS

DHS will continue to oversee patient eligibility and PBS claim payments.

In order to set up PBS claiming with DHS, download the Online claiming and ABN forms below, fill out all details along with the Pharmacy Approval Number issued to you and email to DHS at the address on each form.

DHS cannot pay for PBS medicines supplied if you have not submitted these forms.

• Online Claiming - Online claiming for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Application and terms and conditions form
• ABN - Notification of Australian Business Number and reference identification for tax treatment purposes and Recipient Created Tax Invoice agreement form
  Once the forms have been received and processed, DHS will issue you with a digital certificate.
  Read more about online claiming for the PBS on the Department of Human Services website as a pharmacist or call 1800 700 199
• To check patient eligibility or script authority queries – please phone 132 290