Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 introduces historic reforms to health legislation that empower nurses to work to their full scope of practice and improve access to medicines for people across Australia.

This bill advances scope of practice reforms identified by the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and the subsequent Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce review.

It amends the National Health Act 1953 to authorise registered nurses, endorsed under the Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines—designated registered nurse prescriber, to prescribe certain medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), attracting Commonwealth subsidies.

This change empowers nurses to provide safe, high-quality care directly to people in the community, reducing the need for GP visits or long waits in overcrowded hospital emergency departments.

Enabling prescribing under the PBS by designated registered nurse prescribers ensures the medicines they prescribe are affordable for patients. This reform aligns with the government's commitment to cheaper medicines, and with the National Medicines Policy. It promotes equitable, affordable, and timely access to high-quality medicines and services.

Currently, our registered nurses, who are highly skilled and highly educated, remain underutilised in primary care. Allowing them to prescribe under the PBS will boost efficiency, strengthen care coordination, and ensure GPs and nurse practitioners can focus on patients with more complex needs.

Designated registered nurse prescribing strengthens the health system by easing workforce pressures and building long-term capacity and sustainability.

Improved access to primary health care reduces avoidable hospital visits and preventable hospitalisations. In rural and remote communities, people often have to travel long distances and face long wait times for even basic care.

This reform allows people, especially those in rural and regional areas, to receive affordable treatment with greater equity.

Designated registered nurse prescribers will help relieve pressure across acute and primary care. They will ensure individuals receive care when and where they need it.

The list of medicines able to be prescribed under the PBS by a designated registered nurse prescriber will be considered by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee or PBAC.

Since 2017, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers have conducted extensive research and consultation on nurse prescribing models. The NMBA, the board, developed the standards for designated registered nurse prescribers through multiple rounds of public consultation, which received strong support.

All health ministers have endorsed the scheduled medicines standard, which came into effect in September this year. The first cohort of nurses is expected to complete their education and receive endorsement as designated RN prescribers by July 2026.

To maintain integrity and safety, the bill also amends the Health Insurance Act 1973. It subjects designated RN prescribing under the PBS to the Professional Services Review scheme, a peer-review mechanism that safeguards the PBS and other programs.

This bill delivers on the government's commitment to ensure our health workforce operates at their full scope, enhancing safe and timely access to medicines. It's a win for nurses and a win for all Australians.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.