Australia Passes Historic New Law that Redefines the Role of Registered Nurses

A change to Australia’s healthcare system is about to give registered nurses a responsibility they have never held before. The decision follows years of discussion about whether more health professionals should be able to use the full extent of their education and clinical training. Parliament has now passed a new law allowing eligible registered nurses to prescribe selected medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Australia’s government-subsidised medicines programme. The change is expected to improve access to treatment, but it does not apply to every registered nurse. Who qualifies is one of the most important parts of the new legislation.

The law creates a new role called the designated registered nurse prescriber. To receive these prescribing powers, registered nurses must complete approved postgraduate education, gain endorsement from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and prescribe within a collaborative arrangement with an authorised health practitioner. This is different from the role of a nurse practitioner, whose prescribing authority remains broader. Instead of replacing existing roles, the legislation adds another prescribing pathway for registered nurses who meet the required standards. The next question is why Australia decided to introduce this change now.

The answer lies in the growing demand for healthcare. In many parts of Australia, especially rural and regional communities, patients often wait longer to see a doctor or travel further to receive treatment. Some appointments are needed only to obtain a prescription for an ongoing condition. The Government believes allowing endorsed registered nurses to prescribe selected PBS medicines can reduce some of these delays while helping healthcare teams use their skills more effectively. The law also keeps clear limits in place. Nurses can prescribe only within approved arrangements and must continue to follow professional standards, clinical guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Although the legislation has been passed, the new prescribing model will not begin overnight. Registered nurses must first complete the education and endorsement process before they can prescribe PBS medicines, and further administrative changes are scheduled before the new arrangements take effect. For nurses, the law creates a new area of clinical practice supported by additional training and regulation. For patients, it could mean another way to access government-subsidised medicines without waiting for the same type of appointment they would have needed in the past. How widely this changes day-to-day healthcare will become clearer as the new prescribing model is introduced across Australia.

Sources

https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/new-law-gives-registered-nurses-pbs-prescribing-powers-for-the-first-time?language=en

Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 – Parliament of Australia