On 2 July 2026, the Australian Government passed legislation to allow authorised nurses to prescribe Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines. The reform supports recommendations by the Scope of Practice Review, a major element of the Australian Government’s comprehensive reforms to strengthen Medicare and the health system.
This reform will be available to registered nurses (RN) who have undertaken studies as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Changes to PBS administrative systems required to support it will be ready from 1 October 2026.
The new legislation follows the December 2024 approval by all state and federal health ministers of a new national registration standard for designated RN prescribers. The NMBA’s registration standard commenced in WA on 30 September 2025.
Read the full announcement from The Hon Mark Butler MP Minister for Health and Ageing.
Watch the recording of the recent update and overview for general practice from the WA Department of Health in partnership with WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA). Featuring expert presentations from the WA Chief Nursing and Midwifery Office, the webinar explores the designated RN prescribing endorsement and regulatory requirements.