Posted on 2 January, 2026

From 1 January, a major shift in women’s healthcare will quietly but significantly change what many Canberra women pay for essential medicines – and how easily they can access care.

Under a new Labor Government initiative, the cost of all medicines covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will be capped at a maximum of $25 per prescription. For women, that change is particularly meaningful.

It means lower costs for commonly prescribed oral contraceptives, menopause hormone therapies and treatments for conditions like endometriosis – medicines many women rely on for years, sometimes decades.

It’s the first time since 2004 that PBS medicines have been capped at $25, and it builds on a broader $790 million investment in women’s health rolled out across 2025.

What does the $25 PBS cap mean for Canberra women?

From 1 January, no matter which PBS-listed medicine you’re prescribed, you’ll pay no more than $25 per script. For Canberra women managing ongoing health needs, that can quickly add up to meaningful savings.

For example, menopause hormone therapy has already become more affordable through new PBS listings. Combined with Labor’s 60-day dispensing policy, some women can now receive two months’ supply of Estrogel for $25, where it previously cost around $50 per pack.

The same applies to contraceptives and endometriosis treatments, many of which have historically come with high out-of-pocket costs.

Long-overdue updates to contraception options

Until recently, Australia hadn’t added a new contraceptive pill to the PBS in more than 30 years. As a result, around one in three women aged 18–39 using the combined oral contraceptive pill were paying for non-PBS options, costing hundreds of dollars extra each year.

That’s now changing. Over 2025, several commonly used contraceptives were added to the PBS, including Yaz® and Yasmin®, with Slinda®, Nextstellis® and Nuvaring® following throughout the year. From 1 January, these prescriptions will all be subject to the $25 cap.

Since the women’s health package was announced, Canberra women have had the costs cut on nearly 40,000 prescriptions – saving them over $1.3 million.

And 610,000 women nationwide have accessed over 1.7 million cheaper scripts for newly listed contraceptives, menopause therapies and endometriosis treatments. From New Year’s Day, those scripts become cheaper again.

Making long-term contraception more accessible in the ACT

Cost has also been a major barrier to long-term contraceptives like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, despite them being among the most effective options available.

Australian women have some of the lowest uptake of long-term contraceptives globally. Only one in 10 women here use them, compared with one in three women in Sweden.

To change that, Medicare rebates for the insertion and removal of IUDs and implants have been increased by up to 150 per cent. For Canberra women, that means many GPs and nurse practitioners can now offer bulk-billed procedures, with some women expected to save up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs for insertion.

These devices aren’t just used for contraception – they’re also used to manage heavy bleeding, painful periods, endometriosis, adenomyosis and symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

An additional $25.1 million investment from the Federal Government will establish eight national Centres of Training Excellence, helping ensure healthcare professionals (including those practising in the ACT) are skilled and confident in providing this care.

Better support for menopause and perimenopause

One in five Australian women experiences menopausal symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily life, yet many report feeling dismissed or unsupported when seeking help.

From July 2025, a new Medicare rebate for annual menopause health assessments was introduced, allowing women experiencing menopause or perimenopause to access longer, more comprehensive consultations with their GP.

This is being supported by additional training for health professionals, the development of Australia’s first national menopause clinical guidelines, and a public awareness campaign designed to help women feel informed and confident discussing symptoms and treatment options.

Expanded endometriosis and pelvic pain services

For women living with endometriosis, access to specialist care remains critical. Since coming to government, Labor has invested more than $127 million in endometriosis support, including listing the first new endometriosis medicine on the PBS in 30 years.

Nationally, 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics have already been established, with another 11 to come. All 33 clinics will also expand their services to include specialist menopause and perimenopause support – improving access to multidisciplinary care closer to home.

The real impact of these changes

For Canberra women, these policy changes mean everyday affordability, access and being taken seriously by the health system.

By lowering medicine costs, expanding Medicare support and improving access to specialised care, the reforms aim to reduce the financial and practical barriers that have long shaped women’s health outcomes.

The savings may show up at the pharmacy counter – but the broader impact is about choice, dignity and better health across every stage of life.