Changes to hepatitis B prescribing accreditation

From 1 September 2026, the Australian Government has removed the prescriber accreditation requirement for hepatitis B medicines under the PBS s100 HSD Program.

As a result, all medical practitioners and authorised nurse practitioners can now prescribe PBS-subsidised hepatitis B antiviral treatment for eligible patients under the s100 HSD Community Access arrangements. This includes both initiation and maintenance treatment, provided the relevant PBS eligibility criteria are met.

The removal of the accreditation requirement is expected to support more timely and equitable access to hepatitis B treatment, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas, by expanding the number of clinicians able to prescribe these medicines.

What remains unchanged

• patient eligibility criteria for PBS-subsidised hepatitis B medicines.
• existing dispensing arrangements under the s100 HSD Program.
• practitioner scope of practice requirements.
• obligations under relevant state and territory legislation.

While prescriber accreditation is no longer required to prescribe PBS-subsidised hepatitis B medicines, education, training and access to clinical support remain important to support the delivery of safe and high-quality hepatitis B care.

ASHM will continue to provide hepatitis B education, training and clinical resources to support clinicians in providing hepatitis B treatment and care.

Further information

ASHM: Hepatitis B prescriber changes – September 2026

PBS: Removal of prescriber accreditation requirements under the PBS Highly Specialised Drugs Program

This change represents an important opportunity to improve access to hepatitis B treatment and support the delivery of care closer to where people live. Please direct any queries to bbvcdu@health.qld.gov.au