PBS Safety Net Card application
How to apply for a PBS Safety Net card to get cheaper PBS medicines.
When you reach the threshold you can apply for a PBS Safety Net Card. This card lets you get cheaper medicine for the rest of the year.
To apply, complete the PBS/RPBS Safety Net prescription record form and application for a Safety Net card form. Type your details into page 1 of the form, then print out both pages. Hand both pages to your pharmacist. They will give you a card.
Use your PBS Safety Net card whenever you get a prescription filled. It’s valid for a calendar year. By showing your card you’ll get PBS medicine for:
- free for concession card holders
- up to $6.60 for general patients.
When there are 2 or more brands of the same medicine, they may have different prices. If you choose a more expensive brand, it may cost you more.
If you spend over the threshold before you get a card
If you spend over the threshold before you get a PBS Safety Net card, you may get a refund.
To get a refund complete the Patient claim for refund Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) form.
You can use this form to claim a refund if, either:
- you didn’t show your Medicare card or concession card when you purchased the medicine at the pharmacy
- you spend over your yearly PBS Safety Net threshold.
Page last updated: 14 February 2020
This information was printed 25 February 2021 from https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/pharmaceutical-benefits-scheme/when-you-spend-lot-pbs-medicines/pbs-safety-net-card-application. It may not include all of the relevant information on this topic. Please consider any relevant site notices at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/site-notices when using this material.