Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Continued the debate

McAllister stated that the bill enables designated registered nurses to prescribe under the PBS, improving affordability and addressing workforce shortages. The member noted that the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia developed standards through extensive consultation, which received strong support from health ministers. McAllister explained that nurses must maintain prescribing agreements with authorised health practitioners and are subject to the Professional Services Review scheme. The minister indicated that the government would not support amendments regarding podiatrists or broader scope-of-practice reviews, as those matters were still under consideration.

Government response

McAllister argued that the legislation supports safe and timely access to medicines by aligning with the National Medicines Policy. The minister emphasised that the reforms build long-term capacity in the health system and ensure equitable access to high-quality services. McAllister stated that the government is committed to allowing health professionals to practice safely within their full scope. The minister noted that comprehensive action on other scope-of-practice reviews would be considered based on advice from an expert panel.