Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 26 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned legislation to allow designated registered nurses to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The sole speaker argued this reform would improve access to care, particularly in rural areas, and reduce pressure on general practitioners and emergency departments. The bill aligns with previous workforce reviews and establishes safety mechanisms through peer review. The debate was adjourned without further discussion.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate concerned amendments to the bill enabling authorised registered nurse prescribers to access Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme rebates. The National Party moved an amendment requiring a trial and review before implementation, which was rejected. The Independent member moved amendments to restrict prescribing of Schedule 8 medicines and mandate real-time monitoring, which were also rejected. The government argued that extensive consultation had already occurred and that the bill addressed affordability. The bill passed the House of Representatives.

   Outcome: The bill was agreed to after the amendments were defeated.

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3. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The House of Representatives debated the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, which amends legislation to allow designated registered nurses to prescribe medicines subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. All speakers were members of the Australian Labor Party and supported the bill, arguing it improves access to care, reduces pressure on emergency departments, and utilises the nursing workforce more effectively. Speakers highlighted broader government health reforms, including reduced PBS costs, expanded bulk-billing incentives, and new urgent care clinics. The bill was passed after the Minister for Health and Ageing declined to support amendments proposed by opposition members.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time and passed.

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4. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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5. Thursday 5 February 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
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6. Thursday 5 February 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Industry and Innovation moved the second reading of two bills in the Senate. The first bill aimed to allow designated registered nurses to prescribe certain medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, thereby improving access to care and reducing pressure on general practitioners. The second bill sought to establish a statutory framework for TIS National, ensuring the continued provision of translating and interpreting services. The debate was adjourned with no other members speaking.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned until the first sitting day of the next parliamentary session.

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7. Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated a bill allowing eligible registered nurses to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The Liberal Party supported the measure but moved an amendment calling for a formal government response to a scope-of-practice review. The Labor Party and the Greens supported the bill, citing improved access to care, particularly in rural areas, and workforce efficiency. The amendment was not passed, and the bill proceeded.

   Outcome: The amendment moved by Anne Ruston was not carried, and the bill proceeded to its second reading.

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8. Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated legislation allowing designated registered nurses to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Labor and Greens senators supported the bill as a practical reform to improve access in regional areas and utilise the nursing workforce, while highlighting safety safeguards. Liberal senators expressed mixed views, with one supporting the intent but criticising the exclusion of podiatrists, and another opposing the bill due to patient safety concerns. One Nation supported the bill but foreshadowed amendments to include podiatrists. The debate concluded with the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme beginning her speech before being interrupted.

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9. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration of Senate Message

   The House of Representatives debated Senate amendments seeking to expand prescribing powers to podiatrists. The government opposed the amendments, arguing that the evidence-based process for podiatrists was incomplete compared to the finalized work for registered nurses. An independent member criticized the government's slow pace in reviewing scopes of practice and PBS listings. The House ultimately disagreed to the Senate amendments.

   Outcome: The House disagreed to the Senate amendments, with divisions 13 and 14 passing 90-43.

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10. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Senate

    Consideration of House of Representatives Message
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11. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Senate

    In Committee

    The Senate debated amendments moved by the Jacqui Lambie Network to extend prescribing powers under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to podiatrists. The Liberal Party supported the changes, arguing that podiatrists face similar legislative barriers to nurses and should be included. The government opposed the amendments, stating that extensive consultation had occurred for nurses but not yet for podiatrists, and that including them would delay the bill. The amendments were ultimately defeated.

    Outcome: The amendments were defeated in a division of 31 to 21.

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12. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated legislation to allow designated registered nurses to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The government minister argued this reform improves access and affordability while maintaining safety through oversight. A Greens senator moved an amendment to extend similar PBS access to podiatrists, which the government opposed due to pending reviews. The bill passed both divisions.

    Outcome: The bill passed both divisions, with the first division passing 33-19 and the second passing 32-19.

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13. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Senate

    Third Reading
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14. Thursday 2 July 2026 · Senate

    Consideration of House of Representatives Message

    The Senate debated whether to insist on amendments rejected by the House of Representatives, specifically concerning PBS coverage for prescriptions written by endorsed podiatrists. The government moved that the committee not insist on these amendments, arguing that broader reforms were underway. Opposition and crossbench members criticised the rejection, noting it forced patients, particularly in rural areas and older demographics, to pay higher costs or seek additional GP appointments. Despite these concerns, the Greens and Coalition agreed not to block the bill to ensure its passage, and the motion was agreed to.

    Outcome: The question was agreed to, the resolution was reported, and the report was adopted.

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