Thousands of Australian men with recurrent prostate cancer are set to benefit from a major expansion of Medicare-funded access to PSMA PET/CT imaging, following a Federal Government decision to ease long-standing restrictions on the life-saving scans.
From 1 November 2026, the current Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) restriction limiting MBS item 61564 to two scans per lifetime for the restaging of recurrent prostate cancer will be amended to give eligible men access to yearly scans.
The decision follows advocacy by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to have the restrictive lifetime cap removed, and has been backed by clinicians, consumers, and health professionals.
PCFA Chief Executive Officer Anne Savage said the reform represented a significant step forward for men facing advanced and recurrent prostate cancer.
"This decision will save lives and significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for treating deadly prostate cancer.
"PSMA PET imaging gives doctors and patients a vital weapon in the fight against prostate cancer, providing a more accurate picture of cancer cell growth and spread, enabling more rapid and targeted treatment of the disease," Ms Savage said.
"For men with prostate cancer, PSMA scans are not just 'nice to have', they are vitally necessary in monitoring for deadly disease.
"The previous lifetime cap failed to reflect the reality of prostate cancer management, where men may require repeat imaging over time as their disease changes or progresses.
"This decision means Australian men will have better access to world-class imaging that can help deliver more personalised treatment, avoid unnecessary procedures, and improve outcomes."
Ms Savage said PCFA had consistently argued that the restriction risked compromising equitable access to best-practice care.
"PCFA strongly advocated for this change because we knew the existing restriction was creating barriers for men who genuinely needed repeat imaging," she said.
"We applaud the Government for listening to the voices of men and their families, backed by PCFA."
Prostate cancer survivor and PCFA ambassador Will McDonald said access to advanced imaging could make an enormous difference for men navigating the uncertainty of recurrence.
"When you're living with prostate cancer, timely access to PSMA scans can make the difference between life and death," Mr McDonald said.
"If you can see it, you can treat it, and that's what PSMA PET/CT scans do.
"Too many Australian men have lost time and money trying to access scans that should be a core part of universal health care in Australia.
"We welcome the news that from now on we'll be able to get equitable access to this lifesaving technology."
PCFA said the decision aligned with broader national efforts to improve prostate cancer outcomes and ensure Australian men have equitable access to modern, evidence-based care.
Nearly 29,000 Australian men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and more than 4,000 die annually from the disease. There are around 300,000 Australian men alive today after a diagnosis.
