GLP-1 medicines on the PBS: access and cost in Australia
Made with AI tools and overseen by an Australian GP · Updated 8 November 2026
Who pays $25 and who pays thousands comes down to one thing: whether you have type 2 diabetes. Here’s where each medicine stands.
Quick answer: As of 1 November 2026, Ozempic and Trulicity are PBS-subsidised for type 2 diabetes only, when criteria are met. No GLP-1 medicine is on the PBS for weight loss. Wegovy was recommended for people with obesity and heart disease but isn’t listed yet. Mounjaro isn’t on the PBS for anything.
PBS status (1 November 2026)
- Ozempic (semaglutide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide): PBS-subsidised for type 2 diabetes in certain circumstances. A PBS script costs up to $25, or $7.70 with a concession card.
- Wegovy (semaglutide): the PBAC recommended it in November 2025 for adults with established heart or blood vessel disease (a previous heart attack, stroke or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease) and a BMI of 35 or more. As of 1 November 2026, the PBS says listing “has not yet occurred”.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): the PBAC recommended it for type 2 diabetes in March 2026, but the company has advised it isn’t proceeding with PBS listing. It isn’t subsidised for any use.
- Weight management alone: no GLP-1 medicine is subsidised. It’s a private script.
Private cost
- More than 400,000 Australians were paying full price for GLP-1 medicines in early 2026, and the ABC reported some pay $4,000 to $5,000 a year.
- Prices vary with the dose and the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist for a quote.
- PBS-subsidised Ozempic is for type 2 diabetes only, so it can’t be used on the PBS for weight loss.
- Compounded “cheaper copies” aren’t an option: they’ve been banned since October 2024. See compounded and fake products.
Global note
- US: cash prices typically run $149–$699 a month. A Medicare pilot (1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027) charges eligible Part D members $50 a month for some weight-loss GLP-1 medicines.
- UK: the NHS is offering tirzepatide in stages from June 2025, starting with people with a BMI of 40 or more and at least four weight-related conditions, then BMI 35–39.9 from June 2026.
Talk to your GP about whether you meet PBS criteria and what else could help, including other weight and diabetes treatments. Never buy prescription medicines from unofficial websites to save money.
Need a brain break? Play Dxtective, the daily diagnosis puzzle, or browse all medical games. Free, no sign-up.
Common questions
Is Ozempic on the PBS for weight loss?
No. Ozempic is PBS-subsidised only for type 2 diabetes when criteria are met. Using it for weight loss alone requires a private script.
Is Wegovy on the PBS?
Not yet. The PBAC recommended it in November 2025 for adults with established heart or blood vessel disease and a BMI of 35 or more, but as of 1 November 2026 it hadn’t been listed.
Is Mounjaro on the PBS?
No, not for any use as of November 2026. The PBAC recommended it for type 2 diabetes in March 2026, but the company advised it isn’t proceeding with listing.
How much does a PBS script for Ozempic cost?
Up to $25 a script, or $7.70 with a concession card, if you meet the PBS criteria for type 2 diabetes.
Why does weight-loss use cost so much?
Because no GLP-1 medicine is subsidised for weight management alone, you pay the full private price, which varies with dose and pharmacy.
Evidence and more information
- PBS medicine status: Semaglutide (Wegovy) for established cardiovascular disease with obesity (current at 1 November 2026)
- PBS medicine status: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes (current at 1 November 2026)
- ABC News, January 2026: Wegovy to be subsidised for Australians with severe obesity and heart disease (criteria, costs)
- Diabetes Australia, January 2026: Wegovy to be listed on PBS
- TGA: Updated contraception advice for Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
- NPR, May 2026: Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, $50 a month
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside: Tirzepatide for obesity, phased NHS rollout
maladywise.com/glp-1/pbs-cost-australia/