Quick price snapshot (Apr 2026)
- Wegovy (weight loss): typically $330-$450 per 4-pen pack (1 month at 0.25-2.4 mg)
- Ozempic (commonly off-label for weight loss; on-label for type 2 diabetes):
- 0.25 mg weekly: ~$65-$80/month (half of a 2 mg pen)
- 0.5 mg weekly: ~$130-$160/month (one 2 mg pen)
- 1 mg weekly: ~$140-$190/month (one 4 mg pen)
- 2 mg weekly: ~$250-$330/month (one 8 mg pen)
- PBS co-payment (Ozempic for type 2 diabetes only): general up to about $31.60 per item; concession about $7.70 per item. Indexation usually applies on 1 January each year.
Sources: PBS and Services Australia. See links below.
Availability in Australia: Ozempic vs Wegovy
Wegovy is available in Australia via private prescription for chronic weight management, but supply remains constrained in many areas. Most pharmacies price all strengths similarly, so your monthly spend is usually the same throughout dose titration (0.25 → 2.4 mg).
Ozempic remains PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes only (not for weight loss). Ongoing demand has led to intermittent pharmacy stock limits. For up-to-date supply information, check:
Typical private pharmacy prices (indicative)
Prices vary by banner pharmacy, location and stock. The ranges below reflect quotes commonly seen in metropolitan Australia in 2025-2026.
- Wegovy (4 single-dose pens; any strength 0.25-2.4 mg): $330-$450 per month
- Ozempic multi-dose pens:
- 2 mg/1.5 mL pen (for 0.25 or 0.5 mg dosing): $130-$160 per pen
- 4 mg/3 mL pen (for 1 mg dosing): $140-$190 per pen
- 8 mg/3 mL pen (for 2 mg dosing): $250-$330 per pen
Note: Pharmacies may request a valid prescription before quoting. Some locations offer delivery with cold-chain packaging for an added fee.
Worked examples: how many pens and what you'll pay per month
Ozempic (multi-dose pen) examples
- 0.25 mg weekly (starter dose)
- Pen used: 2 mg/1.5 mL (0.25 mg or 0.5 mg settings)
- Doses per pen: 8 at 0.25 mg → 8 weeks per pen
- Monthly cost: half a pen → ~$65-$80
- 0.5 mg weekly
- Pen used: 2 mg/1.5 mL
- Doses per pen: 4 at 0.5 mg → 4 weeks per pen
- Monthly cost: one pen → ~$130-$160
- 1 mg weekly
- Pen used: 4 mg/3 mL (1 mg setting)
- Doses per pen: 4 at 1 mg → 4 weeks per pen
- Monthly cost: one pen → ~$140-$190
- 2 mg weekly
- Pen used: 8 mg/3 mL (2 mg setting)
- Doses per pen: 4 at 2 mg → 4 weeks per pen
- Monthly cost: one pen → ~$250-$330
Wegovy (single-dose pens) examples
- 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg weekly
- Pack contains 4 single-dose pens → 1 month per pack
- Monthly cost: $330-$450 (most pharmacies price all strengths similarly)
PBS status, co-payments and who can qualify
- Ozempic is PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes only. It is not PBS-subsidised for weight loss.
- Wegovy is currently a private (non-PBS) weight-loss medicine, so the PBS co-payment does not apply.
Current PBS patient co-payment caps (check annually for indexation):
- General patient: up to about $31.60 per item
- Concession cardholder: about $7.70 per item
Verify current thresholds and eligibility:
- PBS official site (search “semaglutide” / “Ozempic” for listing and criteria)
- Services Australia: PBS Safety Net and co-payments
Clinicians must meet specific PBS authority criteria for type 2 diabetes to prescribe subsidised Ozempic. If you do not meet PBS criteria, private pricing applies.
Hidden extras to budget for
- Pen needles: $10-$45 for 100 (weekly injections use ~4-5/month → ~$1-$5/month)
- Alcohol swabs: $3-$6 for 100 (months of use)
- Sharps container: $5-$15 (small size). Disposal may be free via local council or $0-$10 at some pharmacies.
- Delivery/cold-chain: $7-$15 standard; $15-$25 express; some pharmacies add $5-$10 for insulated packaging.
Clinic and program fees in Australia
Medication costs are separate from clinical care. Typical ranges across Australian GP and telehealth weight-management services:
- Initial consult: $80-$250 (gap fees vary after Medicare)
- Follow-ups: $50-$120 per review
- Weight-management programs/coaching: $150-$500 per month
- Baseline pathology: often bulk-billed; otherwise $0-$100 out-of-pocket
Always request a written breakdown of clinic fees, medication pricing, and cancellation terms before you commit.
Ways Australians commonly reduce semaglutide costs
- Confirm PBS eligibility for Ozempic if you have type 2 diabetes and meet authority criteria.
- Ask pharmacies for a written quote and check whether all Wegovy strengths are priced the same.
- Discuss dose optimisation with your prescriber; remaining on the lowest effective dose may lower monthly cost (especially with Ozempic).
- Use prescription synchronisation to reduce delivery fees and ensure continuous supply.
- Check if your local council offers free sharps disposal to avoid fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does semaglutide cost in Australia right now?
Wegovy is typically $330-$450 per month (4 pens). Ozempic ranges by dose: ~$65-$80 (0.25 mg), ~$130-$160 (0.5 mg), ~$140-$190 (1 mg), ~$250-$330 (2 mg). PBS co-payment caps (for Ozempic in type 2 diabetes) are about $31.60 general and $7.70 concession per item. Figures reflect Apr 2026 quotes and may change.
Why is Wegovy often the same price across doses?
Australian pharmacies commonly price Wegovy packs similarly regardless of strength. You pay for a 4-pen monthly pack whether you are at 0.25 mg or 2.4 mg, so total monthly cost remains relatively constant.
Is Ozempic cheaper than Wegovy for weight loss?
At lower doses (0.25-0.5 mg), Ozempic's monthly private cost can be lower than Wegovy. At 1-2 mg weekly, Ozempic private prices often approach or exceed typical Wegovy ranges depending on your pharmacy.
Does private health insurance cover these medicines?
Most Australian private health policies do not cover outpatient prescription medicines. PBS rules and co-payments apply only when a medicine is PBS-listed for your indication and you meet the criteria.
What about oral semaglutide (Rybelsus)?
Some pharmacies quote ~$130-$200 for a 30-day pack depending on strength. Availability and pricing vary. Rybelsus is not a substitute for Wegovy's weight-loss indication.
Where can I verify these subsidies and shortages?
See the PBS for subsidy details, Services Australia for co-payment caps and Safety Net, and the TGA shortages database for current supply updates.
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Key takeaways
- Expect $330-$450/month for Wegovy in Australia, regardless of dose.
- Ozempic private costs vary by dose: ~$65-$330/month.
- PBS subsidy applies to Ozempic for type 2 diabetes only; co-payments currently around $31.60 (general) or $7.70 (concession) per item.
- Budget for extras like needles, sharps, and delivery.
- Supply remains tight; check the TGA database for current status.