The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed an API for the efficient distribution of PBS schedule data to authorised software vendors and developers. The API will replace all existing formats (XML and text files) of PBS schedule data distribution.
As you may be aware, the Department has been conducting Beta testing of this API since October 2022, involving more than 20 testing participants over that period. This process has included consultation about, and testing and use of, the PBS Embargo Data API. We have supported the participants in this period through a range of methods including providing webinars, data models, data dictionaries and personalised email support.
Based on this testing, combined with extensive internal verification activities, the Department considers the Beta testing to be complete and successful, and our next step is to move the API into production.
The planned timeline for this approach is as follows:
- From 1 November 2023, the API will be classified as a production system.
- February 2024 will be the last PBS schedule for which data in existing formats will be released under embargo.
- From the March 2024 PBS schedule onwards, data released under embargo will be made available only via the API.
A version of the API for use by the general public is also in development. This API will be made available in early 2024.
For details on how to access the API, please see details on the PBS Data Distribution Project web page:
Please contact HPP.Support@health.gov.au for any enquiries.