More than 80,000 women in Western Australia have saved $8.4 million on essential women's health medicines since new treatments were listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in March last year thanks to the Albanese Government.
New contraceptive pills, the contraceptive vaginal ring, three hormone therapies for menopause and treatments for endometriosis and IVF were among the medicines for women which became available at subsidised PBS prices for the first time last year.
Savings have increased further from 1 January, with the maximum out-of-pocket cost for PBS prescription medicines reducing from $31.60 to $25. The concessional co-payment remains at $7.70.
These PBS listings where part of the Albanese Labor Government’s landmark $792.9 million women’s health package announced in the 2025–26 Budget.
The package also included new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for menopause and perimenopause health assessments from 1 July 2025. In the first five months, more than 6,200 women in WA have benefited from the addition of these services.
From 1 November, last year changes to the MBS, gave women more contraceptive choice by making it cheaper and easier to access IUDs and contraceptive implants, incentivising health professionals to provide long-acting contraception services and helping to reduce out of pocket costs for women.
These measures are expected to save 300,000 women up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs each year.
To further boost access, the Albanese Government is funding free training for health practitioners in the insertion and removal of IUDs and implants through the national AusLARC program. Training is being provided in WA by Sexual Health Quarters.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler:
“Our government made a commitment to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for Australian women, and we are delivering.
“It was clear the PBS wasn’t working for women, with no new contraceptive pill or menopausal hormone therapy added to the PBS in decades.
“We are righting that wrong, with thousands of women in WA already benefitting from cheaper scripts and better access to bulk billed health assessments.
“Women have asked our government to take their health care seriously, and we have listened.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White:
“Labor’s Women’s Health Package is delivering what women have been asking for: more choice, lower costs and better health care.
“Women told us they were left hundreds of dollars out of pocket for basic contraceptive scripts and couldn’t access support for menopause - so we’ve changed that.
“These results show our record investment in women’s health is working, with thousands of women in WA saving money and getting better access to the care they need and deserve.
“We know there’s more to do, so we’re continuing to improve access, train more doctors and open new specialist women’s health clinics. Labor built Medicare and the PBS, and we’ll keep delivering improvements to make sure they deliver for women.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Perth, Patrick Gorman MP:
“Delivering better quality women’s health benefits our entire community, with more choice, more treatments and more affordable care for women who need it.
“I am committed to making sure the PBS is fairer for women, and our government’s investment in women’s health is improving outcomes for women across Perth.
“Women in our community have spoken, and I am proud to be part of a government which is delivering national results in line with our local values.
“I am proud to support the work the Sexual Health Quarters is doing for the women of Perth and across the whole of Western Australia.”