📋 Sources: PBS — COVID-19 antiviral eligibility criteria · Department of Health — COVID-19 monitoring · NSW Health — antiviral medicines · Healthdirect — antivirals
Home›Learn›COVID Antivirals — Am I Eligible?
💊

COVID Antivirals — Am I Eligible?

A plain-English guide to who can get PBS-subsidised COVID antiviral treatment in Australia, and what to do if you test positive.

⚠️ Eligibility criteria checked June 2026. PBS criteria can change — always confirm with your GP or check pbs.gov.au for the current rules. This page is a general guide, not medical advice.

Quick eligibility check

Answer below to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — your GP makes the final decision.

For example: organ transplant, active cancer treatment, some autoimmune medicines, advanced HIV

Select all that apply

What to do if you test positive

  1. Test early — take a RAT as soon as you have symptoms. The 5-day clock starts from when your symptoms began.
  2. Contact your GP immediately — phone or telehealth. Tell them you have tested positive and ask about antiviral eligibility. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
  3. Your GP will check eligibility and, if appropriate, write a prescription (Streamlined Authority — no phone call to Services Australia needed).
  4. Collect the medicine from a pharmacy — or ask someone to collect it for you so you can rest and isolate. Some pharmacies deliver.
  5. Start treatment as soon as possible — ideally within the first 2 days of symptoms for best effect, and no later than 5 days.

💰 Cost

If you are eligible and have a Medicare card, the cost is the standard PBS copayment:

PBS copayment rates as at March 2026. Without a Medicare card, the cost will vary — speak to your doctor.

Which antiviral will I be prescribed?

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir) is the preferred first-line treatment in Australia. It is taken as tablets twice a day for 5 days.

Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is available but is not routinely recommended — it is used only when Paxlovid is not suitable (for example, due to drug interactions). Your GP will advise which is appropriate for you.

⚠️ Paxlovid has significant drug interactions (the ritonavir component). Your GP or pharmacist will check your current medicines before prescribing. Do not stop or change any medicines on your own — let your GP manage this.

For a full interaction check, your GP can use the Liverpool COVID drug interaction checker.

If you are a clinician, see the Paxlovid prescribing reference for eGFR-based dosing, drug interactions, and monitoring.

Common questions

Can I get Paxlovid from a pharmacy without a prescription?

No. You need a prescription from a doctor. Your GP can prescribe it via telehealth — you do not need to attend in person.

I tested positive on a RAT at home. Is that enough?

Yes — a RAT result verified by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner is accepted. Your GP may ask to see a photo of the test or accept verbal confirmation from a known patient.

I am pregnant or breastfeeding — can I take it?

The PBS listing is for non-pregnant adults. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP — they will assess the risks and benefits for your situation.

What if I am not eligible under the PBS?

If you do not meet the PBS criteria but your GP thinks you may benefit, they can refer you to state or territory COVID treatment services. You can also purchase the medicine privately, but the cost is significantly higher without a PBS subsidy.

My symptoms came back after finishing treatment — is that normal?

A small number of people experience “COVID rebound” — symptoms returning 2–8 days after finishing treatment. This is uncommon and usually mild. Contact your GP if it happens.

🧬 Looking for the COVID-19 vaccine guide instead? Who's funded now, and what changes from 1 Oct 2026 →
General guide only — not medical advice. Eligibility criteria can change. Your GP makes the final decision on whether antiviral treatment is appropriate for you. If you are having difficulty breathing or feel seriously unwell, call 000.