The PBS XML data file provides the structure and data for transportation and transmission of the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits in a consistent method and format for consumption by external users and systems. This Schedule provides details of medicines available to patients at an Australian Government subsidised price under the PBS. The PBS XML provides a representation of the data stored by the Department of Health systems for the use in the Schedule.

The PBS XML data file utilises the PBS XML version 3 schema, which specifies and validates the structure and type of data contained within the PBS XML document.

The current month's PBS XML data file is available periodically for download at the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website, http://www.pbs.gov.au/browse/downloads. At the time of writing, publication of the file is on the first day of each month; however, an early release of the next publication of the PBS XML version 3 data file is available for download approximately four (4) weeks (28 days) prior to a new Schedule’s date of effect from the Embargo page of the PBS Developers website.