We still don’t know which medications RNs will be allowed to prescribe, but nursing advocacy groups are chuffed with the Senate’s report.
Nursing peak bodies are delighted with the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs decision to recommend the passage of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, with one describing it has a “the most significant recognition of nursing’s role in Australia’s health system in a generation”.
The HLA Bill, if passed, will allow designated registered nurses to prescribe medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from July 2026. It will also give RNs access to PBS subsidies, meaning patients can access rebates for nurse-prescribed medicines.
“This is the most significant recognition of nursing’s role in Australia’s health system in a generation,” said the CEO of the Australian College of Nursing, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz.
“Designated registered nurse prescribing will strengthen the health system by easing workforce pressures and building the long-term capacity and sustainability our communities urgently need.
“This bill is a win for health equity.
“Nurses operate across most healthcare settings, and this means their patients will be able to access prescriptions in a timely and equitable way.
“We congratulate the Committee on its decisive recommendation.”
The Senate committee’s report, published yesterday, confirmed that robust safeguards were embedded in the legislation, including prescribing agreements with authorised health practitioners, specific qualification and endorsement requirements, and full inclusion under the Professional Services Review – the same oversight framework that applies to all other PBS prescribers.
Nurses are already studying to become RN prescribers, even though the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and federal health minister Mark Butler are yet to provide details about which medications designated RN prescribers will be allowed to prescribe.
“We would like clarity around when these decisions will be finalised,” said Professor Zeitz.
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Also pleased with the committee’s recommendation was Denise Lyons, president of the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association. She said the passage of the Bill would “reduce bottlenecks, ease pressure on overstretched clinicians, and ensure Australians get the care and medicines they need without unnecessary delays”.
“This is an important step for Australia’s primary health care system,” said Ms Lyons.
“Allowing highly experienced, skilled and trusted nurses to prescribe under the PBS will mean faster, more accessible and more affordable care for Australians.”
The Senate report said submissions to the inquiry had made it clear that there were areas of the legislation that could be improved.
“Additional clarity and guidance may be required in relation to the prescribing of certain classifications of medicine,” said the report.
The Australian Medical Association maintained that Schedule 8 drugs should be excluded from the nurse prescribing proposal altogether.
“These drugs have a high potential of misuse and are under much stricter regulation than other scheduled medicines,” the AMA said in its submission.
Other submissions pointed out that nurse prescribing of Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medicines would be subject to state and territory legislation, which could lead to “inconsistent or unsafe prescribing”.
The Senate report recommended that the Commonwealth government work with state and territory governments to ensure uniformity for RN prescribers working across state lines.
The committee concluded that the legislation “allows people, especially those in rural and regional areas, to receive affordable treatment with greater equity”.
Read the full report here.
