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The Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA) recognises the additional financial burden of maintaining a pharmacy in rural and remote areas of Australia. The monthly allowance is paid to eligible proprietors of approved pharmacies, approved under section 90 of the National Health Act 1953, providing support to a significantly increased number of community pharmacies.

The allowance is calculated annually, based on the remoteness of the pharmacy according to the Pharmacy Accessibility Remoteness Index of Australia (PhARIA), and the level of PBS and RPBS claimable processed prescriptions paid by HIC.

Further information on the eligibility requirements and application forms are available from the  Medicare Australia Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance Website.