Changes to hepatitis B prescribing accreditation
From 1 September 2026, the prescriber accreditation requirement for hepatitis B medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Section 100 (s100) Highly Specialised Drugs Program has been removed.
The change means all medical practitioners and authorised nurse practitioners can now prescribe PBS-subsidised hepatitis B antiviral treatment, helping to improve access to care for people living with chronic hepatitis B.
The reform is expected to reduce barriers to treatment, support more patients to access care closer to home, and contribute to Australia's efforts to achieve hepatitis B elimination targets by 2030.
What has changed?
First-line hepatitis B medicines, including entecavir and tenofovir, will continue to be listed as Highly Specialised Drugs (s100). However, clinicians will no longer be required to complete prescriber accreditation before prescribing these medicines.
This creates new opportunities for GPs and authorised nurse practitioners to play a greater role in the management of chronic hepatitis B within primary care settings.
It is important to note that requirements for prescribing HIV s100 medicines remain unchanged. Clinicians prescribing HIV treatment must continue to meet the relevant training and continuing professional development requirements.
Education and support for clinicians
While accreditation is no longer required, clinicians who are new to hepatitis B management or would like to strengthen their knowledge are encouraged to access education and clinical support.
ASHM's Hepatitis B Advanced Management and Prescribing Course provides practical guidance on hepatitis B testing, monitoring and treatment, supported by clinical resources, tools and evidence-based guidelines.
Clinicians can also participate in the ASHM Hepatitis B Prescriber Map, which helps connect patients and referrers with healthcare professionals providing hepatitis B care.
Further information
To learn more about the prescribing changes, access training opportunities, or explore available clinical resources, visit the ASHM website:
Hepatitis B education and training: https://ashm.org.au/learning-hubs/hepatitis-b/
Information on the prescribing changes: https://ashm.org.au/initiatives/hbv-prescriber-changes-sept-2026/
Helpful links
Further information and resources for healthcare professionals: