PBS medicine and early supply before travelling overseas
Services Australia says you can take PBS medicine overseas only for your own personal use or that of someone travelling with you, only enough to cover your trip, and that once you leave Australia you cannot get more under the PBS.
Official pages last read 21 Oct 2026
Can I take PBS medicine overseas?
You can only take your PBS medicines with you when you travel overseas for your own personal use or the personal use of someone who is travelling with you.
Source: Services Australia, How to manage your PBS medicine overseas. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 10 Mar 2026.
The TGA words the same rule differently:
Remember that you cannot take Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for you or an immediate family member travelling with you.
Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration, Leaving Australia. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 27 Mar 2024.
The two pages describe who the medicine may be for in different words. Both are shown as published; ask Services Australia if your situation sits between them.
What is the Medicine Export Declaration?
It is a Services Australia form you carry through customs when you leave with PBS medicine. Services Australia describes when to use it:
If it’s legal, get a letter from your doctor or your travel companion’s doctor that lists your medicines, including the strength and daily dosage. Take the letter with you when you travel.
If you can’t do this, print and fill in the Medicine Export Declaration form. Take it with you when you go through customs.
Leave the medicine in the original packaging.
Source: Services Australia, How to manage your PBS medicine overseas. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 10 Mar 2026.
The TGA also suggests a doctor's letter:
It’s a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor detailing any prescription medicines you are taking with you.
This should include the name of the medicine, how much you are taking and state that it is for your personal use only.
Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration, Leaving Australia. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 27 Mar 2024.
Some destinations ask a letter for more than that, and Japan does not accept one that only says the medicine is for personal use. See what a travel letter for controlled medication should contain.
How much PBS medicine can I take?
You shouldn’t go over the allowable limit of PBS medicine when you go overseas. You should only take enough medicine to cover your trip.
This is subject to PBS rules, your prescriber’s clinical judgement, Australian export laws and import laws of other countries.
Source: Services Australia, Running out of PBS medicines when overseas. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 10 Mar 2026.
The destination's own limit may be lower. Each country page shows the quantity its record holds, and Leaving Australia covers Australia's own export rules for controlled medicines.
Can I get my supply early before I travel?
The PBS describes early supply in general terms, not only for travel:
There are arrangements to allow a repeat PBS prescription to be dispensed early if you need it to continue your treatment. Always ask your pharmacist if you need an early resupply of your PBS Medicine.
Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (Australian Government), PBS Safety Net early supply rule: Consumer Frequently Asked Questions. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 1 Dec 2023.
People often search for “regulation 24”. The PBS website explains that it is now regulation 49:
Under regulation 49 (previously referred to as regulation 24), original and repeat supplies of pharmaceutical benefits can be supplied at the one time if a medical practitioner, a midwife or a nurse practitioner is first satisfied that certain conditions apply, then endorses the PBS prescription ‘one supply' or ‘1 supply’ (the words ‘Regulation 49’, ‘Reg 49’, ‘Section 49’, ‘Regulation 24’ or ‘Reg 24’ are also valid for this purpose).
Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (Australian Government), National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017 amendments. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 3 Apr 2024.
That page does not list the conditions, and does not say whether travel is one of them. Whether they apply is for the prescriber to decide, and whether to dispense is for the pharmacist. A prescriber can also write to your pharmacy in support of early supply before a trip; the page for prescribers describes that letter.
Can I get PBS medicine while I am overseas?
People often ask whether Medicare or the PBS covers medicine once they are away. Services Australia says:
The PBS only applies to medicines supplied in Australia. PBS medicines can’t be posted, taken, couriered or supplied to another person who is travelling or living overseas. Once you leave Australia, you can’t get medicines under the PBS.
Medicines purchased overseas aren’t subsidised under the PBS and aren’t eligible for PBS refunds. The medicine may cost less if the country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with us.
Source: Services Australia, Running out of PBS medicines when overseas. Read 21 Oct 2026; the page shows it was last updated 10 Mar 2026.
This page lists what official sources ask for. It is information only, not legal or medical advice, and it does not suggest what a doctor should write or certify: the prescriber decides that from their own assessment of the patient. The traveller should confirm current requirements with the authority concerned before travel. See also the disclaimer.