Is Mounjaro on the PBS in Australia? 2026 Update
TL;DR
Mounjaro is not on the PBS in Australia in 2026. Eli Lilly rejected the government listing in April 2026 after a pricing standoff, so patients pay privately, typically $290 to $700 per month depending on dose. You can still access Mounjaro through a private prescription if a doctor decides it suits your situation. Holistica Health offers online weight loss consultations from $99, Australia-wide, with no referral needed.
Introduction
Is Mounjaro on the PBS in Australia? No, and the story behind that answer changed in April 2026. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommended listing Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes, but manufacturer Eli Lilly walked away from the deal over pricing.
That decision left around 450,000 Australians with type 2 diabetes without a subsidy path, and it left everyone using Mounjaro for weight management exactly where they were before: paying privately.
This guide explains what happened, what Mounjaro costs without a subsidy, which alternatives are subsidized, and how Australians can still access Mounjaro legally through a telehealth doctor. Every claim links to a primary source, because this topic moves fast and misinformation spreads faster.
Is Mounjaro on the PBS in Australia?
No. As of August 2026, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for any condition. The PBAC recommended a type 2 diabetes listing in March 2026, but Eli Lilly declined the terms in April 2026. Patients currently pay the full private price at the pharmacy.
It helps to separate two systems that people often mix up. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approves whether a medicine can be sold in Australia. Mounjaro holds TGA approval for type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, and obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, as listed on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality medicine finder.
The PBS is a separate program that decides whether the government subsidizes the price. A medicine can be fully approved and widely prescribed while sitting outside the PBS. That is exactly where Mounjaro sits in 2026: legal, available, and unsubsidized.
Why did Eli Lilly reject the PBS listing for Mounjaro?
Eli Lilly rejected the PBS listing on 28 April 2026 because it considered the government price too low. The company said the proposed price was significantly lower than any other reimbursed price globally, and that strict funding caps made a listing unviable. It was the fourth failed submission in three years.
The rejection surprised many clinicians because the PBAC had finally recommended the listing after acknowledging the clinical value of the medicine, as reported by Pharmacy Daily. Eli Lilly general manager Manny Simons said the company did not make the decision lightly and had no other option after extensive engagement with the Department of Health.
The listing would have covered around 450,000 Australians with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, according to RACGP newsGP. Without a subsidy, newsGP reports the monthly cost to those patients can reach $645.
Health Minister Mark Butler defended the outcome as the product of robust price negotiations that keep the PBS sustainable. Eli Lilly has signaled it is exploring access options outside the PBS framework, but nothing concrete has been announced.
H2: How much does Mounjaro cost without a PBS subsidy?
Private Mounjaro prices in Australia typically range from about $290 per month for the 2.5 mg starting dose to about $700 per month for the 15 mg maximum dose. Exact prices vary between pharmacies because Mounjaro is a private script, so no fixed national price applies.
Indicative 2026 monthly pharmacy pricing by dose:
| Dose | Indicative monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | About $290 |
| 5 mg | $380 to $400 |
| 7.5 mg | $500 to $550 |
| 10 mg | $550 to $650 |
| 12.5 mg | $600 to $700 |
| 15 mg | About $700 |
On top of the medicine itself, budget for the doctor. At Holistica Health, an initial weight loss consultation costs $99 and follow up reviews cost $79, with pricing published upfront on the weight loss clinic page. For a full month by month breakdown across doses, see our detailed Mounjaro cost guide.
What the decision means for type 2 diabetes and weight management
The impact depends on why you take, or want to take, Mounjaro.
If you live with type 2 diabetes, subsidized alternatives exist. Semaglutide (Ozempic) remains PBS listed for type 2 diabetes, and RACGP diabetes lead Dr Gary Deed points to semaglutide and dulaglutide as effective alternatives at reasonable cost. Our Ozempic guide explains eligibility and access.
If your goal is weight management, no medicine in this class is broadly PBS listed for weight loss alone. The government announced on 16 January 2026 that Wegovy will be subsidized, but only for adults with obesity plus established cardiovascular disease, such as a prior heart attack or stroke, according to Diabetes Australia. Most people seeking weight loss support will not meet that definition. Our Wegovy Australia guide tracks that listing in detail.
Choosing between these medicines is a clinical decision, not a price decision alone. Our doctors walk through the differences in the Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus comparison.
Can you still get Mounjaro in Australia?
Yes. Mounjaro remains TGA approved and available in Australia through a private prescription. Any AHPRA-registered doctor, including a telehealth GP, can prescribe it where clinically appropriate. You pay the private pharmacy price rather than a subsidized PBS price.
At Holistica Health, doctors generally consider weight management treatment where BMI is 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or type 2 diabetes. Suitability is always a case-by-case medical decision, and a prescription is never guaranteed.
The process takes four steps:
- Complete the two-minute pre-screening checklist online.
- Book a telehealth consultation with an AHPRA registered doctor, seven days a week.
- Discuss your weight history, BMI, current medicines, and goals in a private video or phone consult.
- If treatment suits you, receive a private eScript and fill it at any pharmacy you choose.
There is no lock-in program and no bundled medicine subscription. You keep control of where you fill your script. Start with the pre-screening checklist to check your eligibility.
Will Mounjaro join the PBS in the future?
The outlook is not promising in the short term. After four rejected submissions, Eli Lilly has indicated that further PBS applications are unlikely, and that an obesity listing would be even harder to secure than the failed diabetes listing.
Things can change. Public pressure is real, PBAC outcomes are published after every meeting, and the PBS medicine status page for tirzepatide shows the current position at any time. We update this article when the status changes.
Practical advice: do not put a health decision on hold waiting for a subsidy that may not arrive. Talk to a doctor about what is clinically right for you now, across both subsidized and private options.
Conclusion
Three things to remember. Mounjaro is not on the PBS in 2026, and Eli Lilly has signaled that it is unlikely to change soon. Private access remains legal and straightforward through any AHPRA-registered doctor, at roughly $290 to $700 per month depending on dose. And if you have type 2 diabetes or established heart disease, subsidized alternatives may already cover you.
If you want clear answers about your own situation, skip the waiting room. Complete the two-minute pre-screening checklist and book a $99 telehealth consultation with a Holistica Health doctor today, from anywhere in Australia.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Mounjaro is a prescription-only medicine, and a doctor must assess whether it suits you. Speak with your GP or a Holistica Health doctor before making treatment decisions.
H2: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mounjaro on the PBS in Australia in 2026?
No. Mounjaro is not listed on the PBS for any condition as of August 2026. The PBAC recommended a type 2 diabetes listing, but Eli Lilly rejected the pricing terms in April 2026, so patients pay the full private price.
How much does Mounjaro cost privately in Australia?
Indicative pharmacy prices range from about $290 per month for 2.5 mg to about $700 per month for 15 mg. Prices vary by pharmacy because Mounjaro is sold on private prescription with no fixed national price.
Why did Eli Lilly refuse the PBS listing?
Eli Lilly said the proposed government price was significantly lower than any other reimbursed price globally and that funding caps shifted too much financial risk onto the company. It was the fourth failed submission in three years, as reported by RACGP newsGP and Pharmacy Daily.
Is Ozempic or Wegovy subsidized instead?
Ozempic is PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy was announced for PBS listing in January 2026, but only for adults with obesity plus established cardiovascular disease. Neither is broadly subsidized for weight loss alone.
Can a telehealth doctor prescribe Mounjaro in Australia?
Yes. Any AHPRA-registered doctor, including telehealth GPs, can prescribe Mounjaro privately where clinically appropriate. Holistica Health consultations start at $99, and eligibility starts with a short online pre screening checklist.