Ketamine Australia Price: A Complete Cost Guide
Ketamine prices in Australia vary dramatically depending on whether you are accessing the PBS-subsidised nasal spray or the off-label generic form. A single dose of Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) now costs just $31.60 for general patients and $7.70 for concession card holders, a massive reduction from the $500 to $900 it cost before the PBS listing in May 2025. Consequently, the medication itself has become affordable for eligible patients. However, the administration and supervision fees remain a substantial barrier, with patients paying hundreds of dollars per session. This guide breaks down the full cost structure.
The PBS Subsidy: Esketamine Nasal Spray
The most significant development in Australian ketamine pricing is the PBS listing of esketamine nasal spray (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression, effective 1 May 2025.
Medication Costs Under the PBS
Under the PBS, a single dose of Spravato costs $31.60 for general patients and $7.70 for pension or concession card holders. The maximum safety net for general patients is $25.00. Before this subsidy, single doses of branded Spravato were reported to cost anywhere between $500 and $900.
Administration and Supervision Costs
The PBS subsidy only covers the medication itself. The administration and supervision fees are not covered by Medicare or typically by private health insurance. These costs run around $300 to $400 per session. This represents nursing and pharmacy costs, including post-dose monitoring under nurse supervision.
Generic Ketamine: The Low-Cost Alternative
Generic racemic ketamine presents a starkly different cost profile. The medication itself costs only $5 to $20 per dose. This makes generic ketamine far cheaper than esketamine on a per-dose basis.
However, generic ketamine is not TGA-approved for depression and must be used off-label. Because there is no Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) code covering the staffing costs for ketamine treatment administration, the service delivery costs are not reimbursed. This means patients face the same clinic fees without any medication subsidy.
Professor Colleen Loo from UNSW and the Black Dog Institute explained the disparity: “There’s a huge difference in costs, but both have been shown to be really effective. But only one is subsidized by the government and formally approved, while the other more affordable option is used off-label.”
Initial Assessment and Consultation Costs
Before commencing ketamine treatment, patients must undergo a comprehensive psychiatric assessment. For ketamine and lidocaine infusions specialists in Greater Western Sydney, the cost ranges from A$450.00 for an initial consultation, with follow-up appointments ranging from A$220.00.
Non-Prescribed Ketamine: The Illicit Market
For non-prescribed ketamine, pricing data comes from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System. The 2025 national report tracks the median price of non-prescribed ketamine per gram nationally from 2003-2025. The 2025 ACT report also tracks the median price in Canberra from 2017-2025.
Law enforcement seizures provide additional pricing benchmarks. In April 2026, a woman was charged in Cranbourne East after police seized approximately 1kg of ketamine with an estimated street value of $40,000, equating to approximately $40 per gram.
The Funding Gap: A Distortion of Clinical Care
Despite evidence supporting generic ketamine’s effectiveness, a significant funding gap remains. Professor Loo has been vocal about this issue: “Australian public patients with difficult-to-treat depression are not having the treatment that is optimal for them because of cost. It is cost that is determining what they have, not clinical judgment. The irony is that the cost to Medicare and private health funds of some of these alternatives is even more expensive than ketamine.”
Summary
The price of ketamine in Australia depends entirely on the access pathway. PBS-subsidised esketamine costs $31.60 per script for general patients and $7.70 for concession card holders, but administration fees of $300-$400 per session are not covered. Generic ketamine costs only $5-$20 per dose, but the service delivery costs are not reimbursed without an MBS code. Initial psychiatric assessment costs approximately $450. Non-prescribed ketamine carries additional legal risks and varies in price according to illicit market conditions, with recent seizure valuations equating to approximately $40 per gram. The most affordable option for eligible patients is PBS-subsidised esketamine, though the “hidden” administration costs remain a barrier for many Australians seeking treatment.