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New PBS listing dramatically expands immunotherapy access for rare cancers

September 07, 2026

From 1 March 2026, Australia introduced a world‑first multi‑indication PBS listing for nivolumab and ipilimumab, enabling subsidised treatment across all immunotherapy‑sensitive advanced or metastatic cancers, regardless of tumour type.

This includes many rare cancers that previously had no PBS-funded immunotherapy options. For rare cancers where evidence is diverse and situations are heterogeneous this represents a major expansion of therapeutic possibility.

However, it is important to understand that the expanded PBS access does not mean all rare cancers will benefit equally. The ARC Portal is available to support clinicians in these situations where uncertainty can be high, ensuring rational, evidence-based use of these medications.

The ARC Portal can help:
  • contextualise PBS access with real, disease-specific evidence
  • support uptake where benefit is plausible
  • prevent over-use in cases with minimal expected benefit
  • collect retrospective and prospective treatment outcome data, helping to inform future immunotherapy use in patients with rare cancers

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