Newer preventive treatments are now PBS-subsidised for people with frequent migraines. This page covers how access and cost work — not which treatment to choose.
📋 Sources:Australian Prescriber — CGRP-targeted therapies (Apr 2025); PBS listing criteria; Dept of Health PBS announcements; Migraine Australia. PBS copay verified against PBS Schedule March 2026 (project data). Listings change — confirm at pbs.gov.au. Verified June 2026. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and is not promotion of any medicine. Your GP or neurologist knows your situation — follow their advice.
1How many headache days per month (on average, last 3+ months)?
2Of those, how many are migraine days (not just tension headache)?
3Have you tried at least 3 different oral preventive medications that didn't work well enough?
e.g. propranolol, amitriptyline, topiramate, candesartan, pizotifen, venlafaxine, sodium valproate
How migraine prevention works in Australia
Step 1 — Oral preventives Daily tablets (propranolol, amitriptyline, topiramate, candesartan, etc.) prescribed by your GP. PBS-subsidised at standard cost. Most people start here.
Step 2 — If 3+ orals haven't worked Newer anti-CGRP treatments may be PBS-funded. Your GP applies for Authority — in consultation with a neurologist (usually a referral for initial review, then your GP manages ongoing scripts).
How they're given Most are self-injections at home (monthly or quarterly). One is an IV infusion every 3 months in a clinic — often the same GP clinics that do iron infusions. Your doctor discusses which suits you.
💰 What does it cost?
$25.00
PBS co-payment (general) per script, if eligible
$7.70
PBS co-payment (concession) per script, if eligible
PBS rates March 2026; copay changes 1 January annually. Without PBS subsidy, these treatments cost several thousand dollars per year. Oral preventives are generally much cheaper.
Can my GP prescribe these?
Yes — with one requirement. Your GP can start a PBS-listed anti-CGRP treatment in consultation with a neurologist. In practice: your GP refers you for an initial neurologist review, then manages the ongoing Authority prescriptions. You don't need to keep seeing a neurologist. Ask your GP how it works at their practice.
📓 Your headache diary is the key document
The PBS criteria depend on documented headache and migraine days. A diary is the single most useful thing you can bring to your GP or neurologist.
In the PBS context: 15+ headache days/month, of which at least 8 are migraine days, sustained over at least 6 months. High-frequency episodic migraine (8–14 migraine headache days/month) also qualifies for one PBS-listed treatment.
An adequate trial of at least 3 different oral preventive medications from the PBS list — they either didn't reduce your migraines enough, caused intolerable side effects, or were contraindicated. Your doctor documents this for the Authority application.
The PBS criteria require that medication overuse headache has been addressed. Your doctor checks whether overuse of painkillers or triptans is contributing and works with you on it if so. It doesn't mean you can't use acute medications.
Most PBS-listed options are self-administered at home (subcutaneous injection, monthly or quarterly). One is given as an IV infusion every 3 months in a clinic or infusion centre — often the same GP practices that offer iron infusions. Your doctor discusses which suits you.