19 May 2026
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.
For more information and to find a Support Group go to www.prostate.org.au or call 1800 22 00 99 to speak with a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse.
ENDS
About PCFA
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s goal is zero deaths from prostate cancer. We do this by driving early detection, funding life-saving research, and providing expert care and support for Australian men and families impacted by the disease.
About prostate cancer in Australia
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
- 28,868 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
- 3,975 Australian men will die from prostate cancer in 2025.
- Around 79 Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer, and around 11 Australian men will die each day from the disease.
- 290,163 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer between 1982 and 2021.
- Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 96% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.
- Between 1982 and 2021, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 58% to 96%.
- Forecasts suggest that by 2035, 34,587 Australian men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, accounting for a 20% increase in incidence numbers over the 10 years from 2025 to 2035.
