Patterns in PBS medicines by remoteness
Information about remoteness is summarised in this report by Australian Statistical Geographical Standard (ASGS) for Remoteness Areas (RA). For more detail see Technical notes.
During 2023, Inner regional and Outer regional areas had the highest annual PBS prescription rates (averages of 16 and 14 per person per year, respectively; Table 3). Remote and Very remote areas had the lowest PBS prescription rates (averages of 9.6 and 5.7 per person per year, respectively) in 2023. Very remote ($307) and Remote areas ($476) also had the lowest annual PBS expenditure rates during 2023 (Table 3).
Remote and Very remote areas had the lowest monthly PBS prescription rates per person and these rates have remained relatively stable over time (Figure 3).
Monthly PBS expenditure rates across all remoteness categories have increased over time, with Very remote areas having the lowest monthly PBS expenditure rates (Figure 3).
| Category | Annual PBS prescription rate (N per person) | Annual PBS expenditure rate ($ per person) |
|---|---|---|
| National | 12.6 | 641.52 |
| Major cities | 12.0 | 618.05 |
| Inner regional | 15.8 | 795.50 |
| Outer regional | 14.3 | 691.29 |
| Remote | 9.6 | 476.35 |
| Very remote | 5.7 | 306.94 |
Figure 3: Monthly PBS prescription and expenditure rates by remoteness
See the following for an extended description.
The PBS prescription rate in Major cities changed from 0.8 prescriptions dispensed per person in January 2013 to 1.1 in December 2023, from 1.1 to 1.4 in Inner regional areas, from 0.9 to 1.3 in Outer regional areas, from 0.6 to 0.8 in Remote areas and from 0.4 to 0.5 in Very remote areas. The PBS expenditure rate in Major cities changed from an average of $26 per person in January 2013 to $59 in December 2023, from $33 to $76 in Inner regional areas, from $28 to $64 in Outer regional areas, from $18 to $43 in Remote areas and from $11 to $27 in Very remote areas.