MHT and HRT on the PBS in Australia: Costs and Coverage

Posted on 11 Nov 2026

Dr Kelly Teagle

Is MHT covered by the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)?

Yes. A range of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) medications is subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia. However, coverage depends on the medicine, brand, formulation and prescription conditions.

In March 2025, the Australian Government added Estrogel, Prometrium and Estrogel Pro to the range of other MHT products previously PBS-listed, but there is also a range of hormonal products that are privately prescribed, and not funded under the PBS.

To understand which treatments are subsidised and what you may pay for your medication, it helps to understand the difference between MHT and the PBS.

MHT (previously known as Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT) is the term used to describe the hormonal medicines prescribed to help manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms. The PBS is a government scheme that helps reduce the cost of certain prescription medicines for eligible Australians.

What is MHT?

Menopausal Hormone Therapy is a treatment that supplements or replaces hormones that the body produces in lower amounts during and after menopause.

MHT may contain:

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  Estrogen (Oestrogen) – used to treat many menopause symptoms, including hot flushes, bone loss, night sweats and vaginal symptoms

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  A progestogen – generally needed alongside systemic estrogen if you have a uterus, to protect the lining of the uterus

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  Testosterone – Testosterone is not a routine component of MHT. In Australia, testosterone therapy may be considered for appropriately assessed postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction. AndroFeme 1 is TGA-approved for this indication but is not currently PBS-listed for women.

The type of treatment, dose and way it is given will depend on your symptoms, medical history and individual circumstances.

What is PBS?

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is an Australian government scheme that subsidises the cost of many prescription medicines. Rather than paying the full cost of a medicine, eligible patients generally pay a reduced amount when their prescription is dispensed, and the government pays the rest. People with pension or concession cards pay even less, as the government pays a bigger gap for their PBS medications.

However, not every medicine is listed on the PBS, and a medicine being available in Australia does not necessarily mean it is PBS-subsidised. This is particularly important when discussing menopause treatments because there are a number of different MHT products, strengths and formulations available.

How do MHT and the PBS work together?

The simplest way to think about it is:

MHT = may be part of a menopause-related treatment
PBS = a system that may reduce the cost of certain medicines

If the MHT product your doctor prescribes is PBS-listed and you meet the relevant PBS requirements, you can access it at the subsidised price.

If a particular product isn’t PBS-listed, or the prescribed purpose is “off-label”, you may need to pay the full private price.

Your doctor or pharmacist can help you understand whether the specific medicine prescribed for you is available through the PBS and what you are likely to pay.

Is MHT available on the PBS?

Yes. A number of menopause hormone therapies are listed on the PBS. However, PBS availability varies between individual products and formulations, and PBS arrangements can change.

There can also be differences between the subsidised and private availability of particular strengths or formulations. This means it’s important to check the current PBS information rather than assuming that all MHT products have the same cost or subsidy.

If you’re unsure about the cost of your prescription, ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain whether it is being prescribed under the PBS or privately. Products NOT available on the PBS are identified with an asterisk (*) in this MHT product guide from the Australasian Menopause Society.

Why does the cost of MHT vary?

The amount you pay for MHT can depend on several factors, including:

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  Whether the medication is PBS-listed

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  Whether your prescription is for a PBS-approved purpose, OR

• 

  If the medication is prescribed for  “off-label” use (outside the TGA-approved indication, population, dose or route).

• 

  The particular product and formulation

• 

  The dose or strength

• 

  Whether you are eligible for a concession

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  Whether you have reached the relevant PBS Safety Net threshold

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  Whether the medication is being supplied privately. This could include TGA-approved medication that is not listed on the PBS, such as Kliovance and Androfeme 1

It’s therefore possible for two women taking different forms of MHT (or even the same type) to pay quite different amounts. Prices can also change, so current PBS and pharmacy information should be checked when considering the cost of treatment.

What types of MHT are available?

Menopause hormone therapy comes in a number of forms.

Estrogen

Estrogen may be prescribed as:

• 

  Patches

• 

  Gels

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  Tablets

• 

  Local vaginal treatments

Systemic estrogen travels throughout the body and can help with symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.

Low-dose vaginal estrogen is used primarily to treat genitourinary symptoms such as vaginal dryness, discomfort with sex and urinary symptoms.

Progesterone and progestogens

If you have a uterus and are using systemic estrogen, you will generally also need progesterone (which is body-identical) or another progestogen (synthetic) to protect the endometrium from excessive stimulation by estrogen.

These can be given in different ways depending on the treatment regimen: in patches or tablets that combine the estrogen and progestogen together, or as separate products with the progestogen delivered orally (in most cases).

Can I get MHT without seeing a doctor?

MHT is a prescription-only treatment and must be prescribed by a doctor or an appropriately authorised nurse practitioner following an individual clinical assessment.

A good menopause consultation should involve more than simply deciding whether to prescribe MHT. Your doctor should consider your symptoms, medical history, risk factors and treatment preferences, and discuss the potential benefits and risks of your options.

For some women, MHT may be appropriate. For others, a different approach may be recommended. Whatever treatment plan you undertake, make sure you understand how your doctor will provide follow up care for any questions or issues that arise.

What if the MHT I want isn’t available on the PBS?

Several commonly prescribed evidence-based MHT products are PBS-listed. However, PBS status is not a measure of whether a medicine is the safest or most suitable option for an individual patient. 

If a particular product or formulation isn’t PBS-subsidised, you can either pay the regular non-PBS price or ask your doctor about alternative PBS treatments that might be suitable for you. However, the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best option medically though, so the final choice of products will be a balanced decision between you and your doctor taking many factors into consideration.

If you are paying for non-PBS medications, be aware that prices can vary a lot between different pharmacies, so shop around. If you have a private health fund that covers pharmaceuticals, they may also refund you part of the cost; check your individual policy for details.

If you intend on submitting a claim to your health insurance, let the pharmacist know so they can provide you a specific receipt to make the claim. 

Testosterone is not currently on the PBS for women. Advocacy is continuing to push for PBS listing and more affordable access for women who need it.

What if I am using more than the PBS funded amount of MHT?

Some people are prescribed higher doses of PBS- listed MHT for clinical reasons, which results in them running out of medication sooner than the intended PBS timeframe (usually either 6 or 12 months, depending on the product). In these cases, the prescriber can apply for a “PBS Authority” script, seeking special approval for the increased amount so that it lasts the intended duration. This will be indicated by a PBS Authority code on the script. 

If you are on higher than standard doses of PBS – funded MHT, check with your doctor about whether an Authority prescription is possible.

Off-Label Use

Off-label prescribing means using an approved medicine for an indication or purpose not specified in its Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods entry. It is a clinical decision made by the prescriber, who should explain the supporting evidence, potential benefits, risks and alternatives and obtain informed consent, as outlined by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Off-label use does not automatically mean that a medicine is excluded from PBS subsidy, but if the prescribed use does not meet the relevant PBS listing requirements it may need to be supplied on a private prescription. The patient then pays the full pharmacy price, which can vary between pharmacies (although some private health insurance policies may reimburse part of the cost). Further information is available from the Australian Government Department of Health.

What is the PBS Safety Net?

The PBS Safety Net is designed to help individuals and families who have high annual expenditure on PBS medicines.

Once eligible patients reach the relevant Safety Net threshold during a calendar year, PBS medicines may become cheaper for the remainder of that year, subject to the applicable rules.

The thresholds and arrangements can change, so it’s best to check the current PBS information or speak with your pharmacist.

Safety net costs as at 1 Jan 2026 – Patient Contribution

The Bottom Line

MHT can be an effective treatment for many symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, but choosing treatment isn’t simply about finding the cheapest prescription.

MHT is the prescribed medication. The PBS is a government scheme that reduces the cost of some critical medications, including some MHT. Because there are different MHT products, formulations and routes of administration, the most appropriate option will depend on your individual circumstances. 

If you are considering Menopausal Hormone Therapy, book a consultation with a menopause-informed doctor like those at WellFemme. Our doctors provide evidence-based menopause care via telehealth, including assessment and individualised advice about MHT and other treatment options.