Introduction of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025

The Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) notes the release of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee report on the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. The Committee has recommended that the Bill be passed.

The Bill proposes amendments to the National Health Act 1953 and Health Insurance Act 1973 that would enable designated registered nurse prescribers, once approved as authorised nurse prescribers, to prescribe a limited number of medicines listed under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The specific medicines or formulary would be determined by the Minister through legislative instrument. This would allow designated RN prescribers to write PBS‐subsidised prescriptions from 1 July 2026, once all supporting regulations are finalised.

ACNP will continue to monitor the progress of the Bill as it moves through Parliament and will provide further updates to members.

Read ACNP's Position Statement on RN Prescribing in Australia here.