Applications are now closed. We are now reviewing submissions and will contact applicants over the coming weeks.
SWSPHN’s Free Script Pharmacy Project will support eligible not-for-profit organisations to help people experiencing primary or secondary homelessness access standard PBS medicines with no out-of-pocket costs by partnering with a community pharmacy. The goal is to reduce barriers to medication access, improve continuity of treatment, and enhance health outcomes across our region.
Total funding of $55,000 is available to be distributed equitably across South Western Sydney’s seven LGAs, resulting in approximately $7,800 per service.
This page outlines the funding opportunity, eligibility criteria, key dates and frequently asked questions.
Funding opportunity snapshot
Funding pool: $55,000
Coverage: across all seven LGAs in South Western Sydney – Bankstown, Campbelltown, Camden, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly
EOI opens: Thursday, 26 March 2026
EOI closes: Friday, 15 May 2026
Program end date: 30 June 2027
Purpose: support partnerships between approved organisations and community pharmacies to improve access to PBS medicines for people experiencing homelessness
Funding will be allocated based on geographic need and service proposals within each LGA.
Who can apply for funding
To be eligible to submit an EOI, your organisation must:
- be a not-for-profit organisation servicing South Western Sydney and providing services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
- be approved to participate in the Medication Program for Homeless People by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA). Approval involves completing DHDA’s program application and meeting eligibility criteria. The standard processing time for this approval can take up to 28 days
- demonstrate capacity to partner with one or more community pharmacies in your local area to facilitate PBS medicine access for eligible clients
If you are not currently registered with DHDA’s Medication Program for Homeless People, we strongly encourage you to begin the process promptly due to processing timeframes.
About the Medication Program for Homeless People
The Medication Program for Homeless People is an Australian Government initiative delivered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
It assists people who are homeless and unable to manage their own affairs to access essential Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, PBS, medicines with no out-of-pocket cost. The program operates through approved not-for-profit organisations working in partnership with community pharmacies.
Under the program:
- eligible clients with a valid Medicare card and concession card can receive PBS General Schedule medicines, Section 85, without paying the usual concessional co-payment where lack of access may lead to poor health or social outcomes
- approved organisations assess client eligibility and annotate PBS prescriptions with their approval number before dispensing by a participating community pharmacy
Read the DHDA factsheet to understand the registration process
Start your DHDA Medication Program for Homeless People application. Download the guideline and application form to begin.
Medication Program for Homeless People Guidelines [PDF | 8 pages | 340kb]
Application form Medication Program for Homeless People [Word | 5 pages | 202kb]
Application form Medication Program for Homeless People [PDF | 5 pages | 332kb]
How the Medication Program for Homeless People works
Organisation approval: A not-for-profit organisation applies to DHDA to become an approved Medication Program for Homeless People organisation.
Partnership with pharmacy: The approved organisation partners with one or more community pharmacies to dispense general schedule PBS medicines under the program.
Client eligibility: The organisation assesses clients against the program’s homelessness criteria and confirms eligibility.
Prescription annotation: Eligible clients receive prescriptions which are annotated with the organisation’s approval number.
Medicine supply: The pharmacy dispenses PBS medicines with no out-of-pocket costs to the client, with the co-payment covered by the program.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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What definitions of homelessness are used by the program?ViewHide
Eligible clients must meet the program’s definitions of primary (e.g. living on the streets, parks or cars) or secondary (e.g. frequent movement between temporary shelters) homelessness. A person in residential aged care is not considered eligible under this definition.
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What medicines are covered?ViewHide
The program applies only to PBS Section 85 General Schedule medicines. It does not cover Section 100 items, Closing the Gap prescriptions, or Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescriptions.
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How long does it take to get Department approval?ViewHide
The Department’s standard processing time for participation applications is up to 28 days, though incomplete applications or requests for further information may extend this.
Organisations must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- be not-for-profit
- provide services or care to people experiencing homelessness
- not receive other Australian Government funding for pharmaceutical or other healthcare services
- assess each client’s eligibility using the legislative instrument and program guidelines
- ensure PBS medicines are supplied only to clients who meet the program’s homelessness criteria
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What is Section 85 PBS?ViewHide
Section 85 medicines, also known as General Schedule medicines, are dispensed by community pharmacies and used by patients at home under section 85 of the National Health Act 1953. They do not include medicines unsuitable for community pharmacy supply, such as those requiring specialist monitoring, special storage, or hospital outpatient administration.
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Do community pharmacies need separate approval?ViewHide
Participating pharmacies must be able to dispense PBS medicines under the program, correctly process annotated prescriptions, and work collaboratively with the approved organisation. Formal program approval applies to the not-for-profit organisation.
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Can organisations partner with more than one pharmacy?ViewHide
Yes. Organisations may nominate multiple community pharmacies to support clients across their service footprint.
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How will funding be distributed across the seven LGAs?ViewHide
Funding will be allocated equitably across the seven LGAs in South Western Sydney. Details will be provided in the full EOI documentation when it opens on 26 March 2026.
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What is the purpose of this funding?ViewHide
This funding supports pilot partnerships between approved organisations and community pharmacies to reduce medication cost barriers and improve continuity of care.
Contact and support
For questions about the opportunity or support preparing your application, please contact:
Christie Duong, Integration and Priority Populations Coordinator
christie.duong@swsphn.com.au
For specific queries about the Department’s Medication Program for Homeless People, you can contact the program team via the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (details published in the program factsheet).