A Webster pack is the most common type of Dose Administration Aid (DAA) in Australia. Your pharmacist prepares a sealed weekly tray with each tablet sorted into the right time slot for each day, so you (or a carer) can see at a glance what to take and when. For older Australians on multiple medicines, for people with memory or cognitive issues, and for carers managing someone else's medication, a Webster pack cuts missed doses and dispensing errors.
The federal DAA Program covers the packing cost for many people. Eligibility, cost, and how to set one up are below.
What a Webster pack is
A Webster pack is a sealed plastic blister tray, typically organised by week. Seven columns for the days of the week, four rows for morning, midday, evening, and bedtime doses. Your pharmacist fills each cell with the correct tablets, seals the tray, and you peel back the foil at each dose time.
"Webster pack" is a brand name (Webster-pak, made in Australia since 1986) that has become a generic term. Other brands of dose administration aids include Multidose, MediPlanner, and various sachets-style alternatives. They all do the same job; ask your pharmacist what they use.
The technical term used by Australian regulators and the federal funding program is "Dose Administration Aid" (DAA).
Who benefits from a Webster pack
DAAs are designed for people who:
- Take five or more regular medicines
- Have memory or cognitive challenges that make missed doses likely
- Are recently discharged from hospital with a complex regimen
- Are managed by a carer who needs a clear, error-resistant medication system
- Have multiple chronic conditions with multiple specialists prescribing
- Have visual impairment that makes reading bottle labels difficult
Pharmacists often suggest a Webster pack after a MedsCheck or Home Medicines Review flags adherence concerns.
Cost and the federal DAA Program
Cost varies by pharmacy and eligibility. There are three patterns:
Pattern 1: Subsidised through the federal DAA Program
Eligible Australians can access free or low-cost DAAs through the Pharmacy Programs Administrator's DAA Program. Eligibility usually includes:
- Living at home (not in residential aged care, which is funded separately)
- Holding a current concession card or being on five or more regular medicines
- Having a community pharmacist confirm clinical need
The program funds pharmacies to provide up to a certain number of DAA services per week. If you qualify, your pharmacist provides the pack at no out-of-pocket cost (you still pay the normal PBS co-payment for each medicine inside).
Pattern 2: Pharmacy-funded free service
Some pharmacies, particularly chains and competitive independents, offer Webster packs free as a customer service. You pay for the medicines at PBS rates, and the pharmacy absorbs the packing labour. Ask your local pharmacy whether they do this.
Pattern 3: Private fee
If you don't qualify for the DAA Program and your pharmacy doesn't absorb the packing cost, the typical fee is $5 to $30 per week, paid directly to the pharmacy. Costs vary widely between pharmacies; ask three before settling.
For aged care residents, packing is funded through the residential aged care medication management framework, not the consumer-facing DAA Program. Different rules apply and your aged care provider arranges this with their pharmacy.
How to set up a Webster pack
The process is straightforward:
- Talk to your community pharmacist or GP. Either can start the conversation. The pharmacist usually leads on the practical setup.
- Bring all your current medicines to the pharmacy. This includes prescription medicines, regular over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. The pharmacist needs to see the full picture.
- The pharmacist may recommend a Home Medicines Review (HMR) first. Especially if you're on many medicines, an HMR before the Webster pack ensures the pack reflects current best practice.
- The pharmacist sets up your first pack. This usually takes a day or two; you collect the first sealed tray at the agreed time.
- Ongoing fills. You return each week (or fortnightly) for the next sealed tray. Some pharmacies deliver the pack; ask.
Some pharmacies prefer fortnightly cycles to reduce trips and waste. Two-week trays exist but are less common; the standard is one week per pack.
What goes into the pack and what doesn't
Most pharmacies include:
- All regular oral prescription medicines
- Regular daily supplements (e.g. vitamin D, calcium) on request
- Some PRN medicines if explicitly agreed (less common)
Most pharmacies do not include:
- "When required" PRN medicines that aren't taken on a fixed schedule (e.g. asthma reliever inhalers, occasional pain relief)
- Liquid medicines (kept separately)
- Inhalers, eye drops, creams, patches (kept separately)
- Refrigerated medicines like insulin (separate cold-chain handling)
- Medicines you've started since the last pack was sealed (a new partial pack is made up)
If your medication changes mid-week (your GP increases a dose, adds a new medicine, or stops one), the pharmacy redoes the rest of the week. This is normal; flag changes to the pharmacy promptly.
Switching your Webster pack to a different pharmacy
You can change pharmacies at any time. Bring:
- Your current sealed pack (so the new pharmacy sees what was inside)
- Your current prescriptions (paper or eScript tokens), or arrange to transfer them
- The list of any non-prescription medicines or supplements in the pack
The new pharmacy sets up a fresh pack, usually within a few days. Continue using your existing sealed packs until the new ones are ready.
Carer pickup and delivery
If you're a carer, you can pick up the pack on behalf of someone else. The pharmacy may ask you to confirm you're authorised, particularly if there are Schedule 8 medicines in the pack. Bring ID and a note from the person being cared for if asked.
Many pharmacies also deliver Webster packs, which is useful if the person being cared for has limited mobility. Ask your pharmacy whether they offer delivery and what it costs (often free for regular DAA customers).
What happens when you go into hospital or respite
If you're admitted to hospital, the hospital usually takes over your medication management for the stay. Tell the admitting team you're on a Webster pack and bring the current pack with you so they can see exactly what you've been taking.
For respite care, similar rules apply: hand the current pack over to the respite facility, which manages medications during your stay. When you go home, your community pharmacist resumes the Webster pack cycle.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Webster pack cost in Australia?
Cost varies. Eligible Australians can access free or low-cost packs through the federal DAA Program (concession card holders, those on five-plus medicines). Some pharmacies offer the service free as a customer benefit. Otherwise, expect $5 to $30 per week, paid directly to the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist what applies to you.
Are Webster packs free for pensioners?
Often, yes. Pensioner Concession Card holders are usually eligible for the federal DAA Program, which subsidises the packing cost. You still pay the normal $7.70 concessional PBS co-payment for each medicine inside, but the packing labour is funded.
Who qualifies for a free DAA?
Eligibility is determined by your community pharmacist based on the federal DAA Program rules. Common qualifying conditions: holding a concession card, taking five or more regular medicines, living at home (not in residential aged care, which has a separate funding stream), and the pharmacist confirming clinical need.
Can I switch my Webster pack to a different pharmacy?
Yes, at any time. The new pharmacy will set up a fresh pack within a few days. Bring your current sealed pack and your prescriptions to the new pharmacy.
Can a carer pick up a Webster pack on my behalf?
Yes. The pharmacy may ask the carer to confirm authorisation, particularly if Schedule 8 medicines are in the pack. Some pharmacies prefer a written note from you for ongoing carer collection. Many pharmacies also deliver, which removes the question entirely.
What's the difference between a Webster pack and a blister pack?
A Webster pack is a brand of blister-style DAA. "Blister pack" is a broader term that can also refer to manufacturer-supplied tablet strips (the foil-and-plastic packaging some medicines come in). The DAA blister you get from a pharmacy is what most Australians mean by "Webster pack" or "blister pack" in everyday conversation.
This page is general information about the Australian pharmacy system. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a registered pharmacist or GP.
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