This article is for AHPRA-registered nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives in Australia who hold, or are eligible to hold, PBS prescribing authority. It does not constitute medical, pharmaceutical, or legal advice. Refer to the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for current eligibility and scope-of-practice requirements.
If you are a nurse practitioner or endorsed midwife searching for information about the PBS Prescriber Bag, you have probably noticed something. Almost every guide, article, and pharmacy page online is written for GPs. The nurse practitioner prescriber bag and endorsed midwife prescriber bag barely get a mention, even though NPs have been eligible since 2012 and endorsed midwives were added on 1 February 2025.
This guide fills that gap. It is written specifically for NPs and endorsed midwives who want to know: am I eligible, what items can I order, what changed in 2024 and 2025, and how do I place an order online through DocPouch.
Key Dates At A Glance
| 2012 | Section 93AB inserted into the National Health Act 1953. Nurse practitioners first eligible for Prescriber Bag Supply. |
| 1 Nov 2024 | Collaborative-arrangement precondition for PBS prescribing by NPs and endorsed midwives removed. |
| 1 Feb 2025 | Endorsed midwives first added as authorised prescribers for selected Prescriber Bag items, following PBAC's September 2024 intracycle review. |
For the broader scheme overview, see our complete guide to the PBS Doctor's Bag scheme.
What Is the PBS Prescriber Bag?
The PBS Prescriber Bag (historically called the "Doctor's Bag") is a supply of emergency and essential medicines that eligible prescribers can hold and supply directly to patients for urgent treatment, rather than dispensing through a prescription at a pharmacy. It is governed by the National Health Act 1953 (Cth) and the National Health (Prescriber Bag Supplies) Determination 2024.
The formal name is Prescriber Bag Supply, and it is not limited to medical practitioners. The PBS Prescriber Bag formulary lists three authorised prescriber types against each item:
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MP
Medical Practitioner
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NP
Nurse Practitioner
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MW
Endorsed Midwife
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NPs and endorsed midwives have access to a defined subset of the formulary based on their scope of practice. The authoritative reference is always the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing, where each item shows the prescriber types authorised to order it.
Eligibility: Who Can Order a Prescriber Bag?
Eligibility differs slightly between nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives, and the legislative basis is different for each. The summary table below sets out the differences before each is explained in detail.
| Requirement | Nurse Practitioner | Endorsed Midwife |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative basis | Section 93AB, NHA 1953 | Section 93AA, NHA 1953 |
| Eligible since | 2012 | 1 February 2025 |
| AHPRA registration | NP with current scheduled-medicines endorsement | Midwife with NMBA section 94 endorsement |
| PBS prescriber number | Issued by Services Australia | Issued by Services Australia |
| Order book | PB052 (same form as GPs) | PB052 (same form as GPs) |
| Collaborative arrangement | Not required (from 1 Nov 2024) | Not required (from 1 Nov 2024) |
Nurse Practitioner Eligibility
NP prescriber bag eligibility itself is not new. Section 93AB has been part of the National Health Act 1953 since 2012. What changed more recently is the broader PBS prescribing environment for NPs. From 1 November 2024, the Health Legislation Amendment (Removal of Requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement) Act 2024 removed the collaborative-arrangement precondition for PBS and MBS prescribing generally. NPs no longer need a formal collaborative arrangement with a medical practitioner to prescribe under the PBS. This is distinct from prescriber bag eligibility (which already existed) but it removed a longstanding barrier to independent NP practice.
Endorsed Midwife Eligibility
Endorsed midwife access to the Prescriber Bag is recent. Section 93AA has existed since 2012, but the Minister's power was not exercised in the Prescriber Bag Determinations until 1 February 2025, following the PBAC's September 2024 intracycle review. Before that date, endorsed midwives could not order any items under the Prescriber Bag Supply scheme. If you read older guidance suggesting otherwise, it is out of date.
If you have not yet obtained your PB052 order book, our step-by-step HPOS guide walks you through the application.
What Items Can Nurse Practitioners Order?
This is where the NP prescriber bag differs from the GP version, and where most confusion arises. The PBS marks each Prescriber Bag item with the prescriber types authorised to order it. NPs can order any item that carries the NP designation against it on the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing.
The NP-eligible portion of the formulary covers most of the major emergency categories used in primary care, urgent care, aged care, community health, and rural and remote settings. The therapeutic categories include:
| Anaphylaxis management | Opioid overdose reversal |
| Cardiac emergencies | Respiratory emergencies (nebs, inhalers) |
| Seizure management | Pain management (injectable and oral) |
| Anti-infectives (incl. injectable) | Acute fluid overload |
| Nausea and vomiting | Acute behavioural disturbance |
| Hypoglycaemia | Corticosteroid emergencies |
| Local anaesthesia | Vitamin K and tetanus prophylaxis |
Some items remain restricted to medical practitioners only (no NP designation). Always check the Prescriber code column on the live PBS listing for the specific item and formulation you intend to order, because access can vary across formulations of the same drug.
What Items Can Endorsed Midwives Order?
The endorsed midwife prescriber bag is more focused than the NP bag, reflecting the midwifery scope of practice. Per the Department of Health and Aged Care's Prescriber Bag supplies for endorsed midwives, Frequently Asked Questions (last updated 27 March 2025), endorsed midwives must only request medicines that carry the MW symbol in the Prescriber code column on the PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing.
The MW-eligible categories currently cover:
| Anaphylaxis management | Anti-infectives relevant to midwifery practice (including Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis) |
| Local anaesthesia (for perineal repair) | Opioid overdose reversal (for opioid-related emergencies during labour and birth) |
| Nausea and vomiting management | |
The list is shorter than the NP or GP formulary, but the items are directly aligned with the emergencies endorsed midwives are most likely to encounter in private midwifery practice and home-birth settings. The Department has flagged that the list is subject to change as further PBAC review cycles complete, so check the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing before each order.
What Items Can NPs and Midwives NOT Order?
Understanding the boundaries matters. If a Prescriber Bag item does not carry the NP or MW designation in the Prescriber code column, you cannot order it under the scheme, regardless of your clinical experience or scope of practice.
As a general rule:
- Nurse practitioners can order most Prescriber Bag items but should verify the NP designation for each specific item and formulation.
- Endorsed midwives have a more limited subset and should verify the MW designation for each item.
- Item availability ties to the PBS item code, not to the drug name in general.
How the PBS Expanded Access for NPs and Midwives
The prescribing landscape for NPs and endorsed midwives has changed significantly since 2023. This context explains why older articles and pharmacy pages are often inaccurate.
The 2023 Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan
In May 2023, the Australian Government released the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan, which recommended aligning PBS-authorised medicines for NPs with their full scope of practice. This triggered a multi-tranche review through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC).
The PBS Review: 2024 to 2026 Implementation Timeline
The Department of Health and Aged Care's Review of PBS items for prescribing by nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives has been implemented in tranches:
The takeaway: if you checked the nurse practitioner PBS prescriber bag or endorsed midwife eligibility a year or more ago, the position has materially changed. Re-check the live PBS listing.
For prescribers working in rural or remote settings (where the prescriber bag is most critical), see our guide to the PBS Doctor's Bag for rural and remote practitioners.
How to Order Your Prescriber Bag as an NP or Endorsed Midwife
The ordering process for NPs and endorsed midwives follows the same general pathway as for GPs.
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1
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Confirm your PBS prescriber numberA valid PBS prescriber number issued by Services Australia, specific to your authorisation as an NP (s 93AB) or endorsed midwife (s 93AA). This is separate from your AHPRA registration number. |
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2
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Obtain your PB052 order bookIssued by Services Australia, the same book used by GPs and specialists. Request via HPOS or paper application (form PB157). See our PB052 / HPOS guide. |
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3
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Select items against the live formularyIdentify items on the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing that carry the NP or MW designation in the Prescriber code column. |
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4
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Place your orderEither take your completed order form to a PBS-approved community pharmacy, or order online through DocPouch. For NPs and endorsed midwives working across multiple sites, in private practice, or in regional and remote settings, ordering online is usually the most practical option. |
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5
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Verification and dispatchYour prescriber credentials are verified against your AHPRA registration and PBS prescriber number. Once verified, your order is dispensed by Priceline Pharmacy Sunshine and dispatched to your nominated Australian address. |
Order your prescriber bag online
Common Issues for NPs and Midwives Ordering Prescriber Bags
Based on the questions and friction points NPs and endorsed midwives commonly run into, here are several practical issues worth knowing.
Pharmacies unfamiliar with NP and MW orders
Some community pharmacies, particularly smaller ones, are still unfamiliar with processing Prescriber Bag orders from NPs or endorsed midwives, and may assume the scheme is GP-only. If this happens, point to the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing and the NP or MW designations against the items you are requesting. Ordering online through a service set up for all three prescriber types avoids the issue entirely.
Confusion about scope-of-practice limits
Your prescriber bag order should align with your individual scope of practice, not just the items marked NP or MW on the PBS. The PBS designation indicates what you are permitted to order under the scheme. Your professional obligations under the NMBA standards and any applicable state or territory medicines and poisons legislation determine what you should order in your context.
Keeping up with formulary changes
Given the pace of PBS changes for NPs and midwives through 2024 and 2025, the formulary you checked six months ago may have expanded. Build a habit of reviewing the live PBS Prescriber Bag listing after each PBS monthly update and after PBAC meeting cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nurse practitioners order the same prescriber bag items as GPs?
Not quite. NPs can order any Prescriber Bag item that carries the NP designation in the Prescriber code column on the live PBS Prescriber Bag Supply listing. Some items remain restricted to medical practitioners (MP only). The NP-eligible subset covers the major emergency categories used in primary care, urgent care, aged care, and community health.
Do I need a separate or different order book as an NP or endorsed midwife?
No. The Prescriber Bag Supply Order Book (PB052) is the same for all authorised prescriber types. You apply through Services Australia using the same process as GPs. What you can order is controlled by the NP and MW designations on the PBS formulary, not by a different order book. See our PB052 / HPOS order book guide.
Can endorsed midwives order a prescriber bag online?
Yes, since 1 February 2025. Endorsed midwives with a valid PBS prescriber number and a current PB052 order book can order their prescriber bag online through DocPouch, the same way GPs and NPs do.
What PBS prescriber number do I need?
A PBS prescriber number issued by Services Australia, specific to your authorisation as an NP under section 93AB of the National Health Act 1953, or as an endorsed midwife under section 93AA. This is separate from your AHPRA registration number. Information on becoming an authorised PBS prescriber is available through Services Australia.
Do I still need a collaborative arrangement with a doctor to order?
No. From 1 November 2024, the legislative requirement for collaborative arrangements between NPs (or endorsed midwives) and medical practitioners was removed for PBS prescribing under the Health Legislation Amendment (Removal of Requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement) Act 2024. This Act removed a precondition for PBS prescribing generally; it did not create Prescriber Bag eligibility, which has existed under sections 93AB (NPs) and 93AA (endorsed midwives) since 2012.
When did endorsed midwives become eligible to order a Prescriber Bag?
1 February 2025. While section 93AA of the National Health Act 1953 has existed since 2012, the Minister's power under that section was not exercised in any Prescriber Bag Determination until 1 February 2025, following PBAC's September 2024 intracycle review. Before that date, endorsed midwives could not order any items under the Prescriber Bag Supply scheme.
Why is the prescriber bag still called the "Doctor's Bag" if NPs and midwives can order it?
"Doctor's Bag" is a legacy name from when the scheme was only available to medical practitioners. The formal PBS terminology is now "Prescriber Bag Supply", reflecting the expanded eligibility. Both terms appear on pharmacy and government pages.
Can I order items marked MP-only if they fall within my clinical scope?
No. You cannot order an item under the Prescriber Bag scheme unless it carries the NP or MW designation for your prescriber type, regardless of your clinical experience. You may still be able to prescribe the medication through a standard PBS prescription if the broader PBS schedule lists it for NPs or endorsed midwives.
How DocPouch Supports Nurse Practitioners and Endorsed Midwives
DocPouch is a pharmacy-led Prescriber Bag ordering platform fulfilled through Priceline Pharmacy Sunshine, an Australian PBS-approved community pharmacy. It is built to serve all authorised prescriber types, not just GPs.
| ✓ | NP and endorsed midwife orders are processed on the same workflow and priority as GP orders. |
| ✓ | The platform recognises MP, NP, and MW prescriber types during account verification. |
| ✓ | Pharmacy-led verification means a pharmacist reviews your order against the PBS Prescriber Bag formulary and the NP or MW designations before dispensing. |
| ✓ | Orders are dispatched Australia-wide to your nominated address, including regional and remote locations. |
If you have tried to order through a local pharmacy and been told "that is only for doctors", or if you have struggled to find an online ordering service that clearly supports NPs and endorsed midwives, DocPouch is built to remove that friction.
Order your prescriber bag with DocPouch →
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, pharmaceutical, or legal advice. The supply of pharmaceutical products under the PBS Prescriber Bag Supply scheme is governed by the National Health Act 1953 (Cth) and associated determinations and regulations. All pharmaceutical products referenced in this article are described by therapeutic category only and are supplied in accordance with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and applicable Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requirements. No specific therapeutic claims are made. Prescribers must ensure they meet all eligibility and compliance obligations under the PBS, the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth), and the professional standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. For current formulary information, visit pbs.gov.au/browse/doctorsbag. DocPouch orders are fulfilled through Priceline Pharmacy Sunshine, a registered Australian pharmacy.