Have Your Say – Pain Relief Medicines and GST

Simone
Simoneon Wednesday, August 27 2025
2 Comments

The Department of Health is asking the public for feedback. They want to know if a rule about pain relief medicines should continue.

  • Right now, small packs of pain relief medicine (25 tablets or less) are not charged GST (Goods and Services Tax).

  • This includes medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol.

  • Bigger packs in pharmacies are also GST-free.

  • The rule that makes this possible will end on 1 October 2025 unless it is renewed.

If the rule is not renewed, small packs may cost more. This could make pain relief less affordable for many people.

Stroke Foundation has written a response. We asked the Government to keep the rule. This would help keep the cost of small packs of pain relief low.

  • The Government is asking for feedback until 8 September 2025.

  • The survey is short – just 5 multiple-choice questions.

  • It only takes a few minutes to complete.

👉 Read more information.
👉 Complete the short survey.

If you have any questions please let us know.

Many thanks,

Simone

2 Responses
garrylawson avatar
garrylawson

Paracetmolor Ibrufen does stop my pain , and a doctor prescribed another drug which is so dear , why should they make Paracetmal tax free anyway when you can get it in a chest=mist line 100 pack for $2 anyway , they are making the wrong drug free , make the Prescribed ones more cheaper .But the government list doesn't include that , and yes Itake 11 diffent drugs for the stroke I had .

garrylawson avatar
garrylawson

Before we jump the gun , sales on 24 packs is applicable , with the 100 pack chemist brand it is a different story , for example I take 2 asprin a day to thin out my blood and does this mean even though bulk packs are precribed do we get then GST free seeing I have to take so many to ease the pressure on the heart . They say it is GST free but wil the bulk packs be GST free .Even now they limit the size of the pack ,

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