“Two in three Australian adults are now living with overweight or obesity.”
If that makes you pause, you’re not alone. It means that at your next family barbecue, the majority of adults there are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnoea, some cancers and fertility problems – all because of excess body fat.
At the same time, a new wave of prescription weight loss medications – especially the so‑called “weight loss injections” – has exploded into the news. Wegovy, Saxenda, Ozempic, Contrave, Duromine, Xenical… it’s a lot to get your head around.
No wonder one of the most common questions we hear in telehealth consults is:
"“Am I actually eligible for weight loss medication in Australia – or am I wasting my time asking?”"
In this article, we’ll walk you through how Australian doctors think about weight loss medication eligibility, what your BMI in Australia really means, which conditions change the equation, and what to expect from a weight management consult – whether you see a local GP or talk to one of our doctors online.
We’ll lean on trusted Australian sources like Healthdirect, AIHW, the TGA and RACGP so you’re not just relying on TikTok hype or overseas advice that doesn’t match how things work here.
By the end, you’ll understand:
- The usual BMI cut‑offs doctors use before considering prescription weight loss medication
- Why weight‑related health problems (not just the number on the scales) matter so much
- The main obesity treatment medications used in Australia and who they’re generally for
- When telehealth makes sense, and when you really need in‑person or specialist care
Most importantly, we’ll do this without shame or scare tactics. Obesity is now recognised as a chronic, relapsing disease, not a personal failure – including by the World Health Organization.

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Request NowWhy everyone is suddenly talking about weight loss medication
A few big shifts have happened over the last few years:
- Obesity rates are high and still rising. About 66% of Australian adults and one quarter of children live with overweight or obesity.
- Obesity drives disease. Excess weight is now one of the top risk factors for heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers in Australia.
- Newer medicines actually work better. GLP‑1 medications (like semaglutide and liraglutide) can produce much greater average weight loss than older medicines – in the right patients and when used long‑term.
- Obesity is being reframed as a disease, not just a lifestyle choice. The WHO and national strategies in Australia now describe obesity as a chronic disease that needs long‑term, comprehensive care.
Together, that’s fuelled huge demand for “weight loss injections” and other obesity treatments – and also some problems:
- Ongoing Ozempic shortages in Australia because of off‑label use for weight loss, leaving some people with diabetes struggling to access their medication.
- A boom in compounded “copycat” GLP‑1 products, which the TGA has now moved to ban because they’re unregulated and have been linked to serious side effects.
- Australians paying hundreds of dollars per month out of pocket for these drugs, because PBS subsidies for obesity are still limited.
So if you’re sitting at home thinking:
- “My BMI is high – does that mean I qualify?”
- “I’ve tried every diet, but my GP just keeps saying ‘eat less, move more’.”
- “My weight is affecting my periods/sex life/blood pressure – when do medications come into the picture?”
…you’re exactly who this guide is for.

Step 1: Understand BMI (without letting it define you)
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation: your weight (kg) divided by your height (m) squared. It’s widely used in Australia to categorise weight at a population level.
For most adults:
- BMI 18.5–24.9 → “Healthy weight”
- BMI 25–29.9 → “Overweight”
- BMI ≥30 → “Obesity”
- BMI ≥35 → Often called “severe obesity”
You can check your BMI using the Healthdirect BMI calculator, which is designed for Australian adults and also explains where BMI is less accurate (for example, in very muscular people or older adults).
The limits of BMI
BMI is a blunt instrument. It doesn’t:
- Distinguish fat from muscle
- Show where you carry fat (tummy fat is riskier than fat on hips and thighs)
- Capture your fitness, diet quality, sleep, mental health or genetics
Australian guidance now emphasises that BMI should be used alongside other measures such as:
- Waist circumference – higher risk if ≥94 cm (men) or ≥80 cm (most women).
- Blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
- Your personal and family history (for example, heart disease, PCOS, sleep apnoea).
So yes, your doctor will almost certainly calculate your BMI when considering prescription weight loss medication – but they won’t stop there.

Step 2: The general BMI rules for weight loss medication eligibility
Most Australian guidelines and drug approvals line up on a common theme:
"Weight‑loss pharmacotherapy is usually considered when: - BMI ≥30 kg/m², or - BMI ≥27 kg/m² with at least one weight‑related comorbidity (health condition linked to excess weight), - and lifestyle measures alone haven’t been enough. "
Common weight‑related comorbidities include:
- Type 2 diabetes or pre‑diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke or proven heart disease)
- Non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (now often called MASLD/MASH)
- Osteoarthritis in weight‑bearing joints
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and some infertility issues
- Severe insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome
Specific medications then have their own TGA‑approved eligibility criteria, which are usually at least this strict – sometimes stricter.

Step 3: What else your doctor considers (beyond BMI)
Even if your BMI and health conditions fit the textbook criteria, a doctor won’t automatically reach for a script. A good weight management consult (online or in person) will also look at:
1. What you’ve already tried
- Have you had a structured go at changing food, movement and sleep?
- Have you ever seen a dietitian, exercise physiologist or psychologist?
- What actually happened when you tried – did weight drop, plateau, or rebound?
Australian obesity guidelines emphasise that medication should be an adjunct, not a replacement, for lifestyle measures.
2. Your medical history and contraindications
Some weight loss medicines are a firm no if you have certain conditions. For example:
- Serious cardiovascular disease → usually rules out stimulants like phentermine
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure → a problem for some medicines
- Seizure disorders, bipolar disorder or eating disorders → important when considering naltrexone/bupropion
- History of pancreatitis or severe gut disease → needs caution with GLP‑1 medications
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding → weight loss drugs are generally not used
This is why Australian regulators and RACGP stress that obesity pharmacotherapy needs careful selection and monitoring, not casual prescribing.
3. Your current medications
Potential interactions matter. Your GP or telehealth doctor will check:
- Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers
- Blood pressure tablets, heart medications
- Opioids (important if considering naltrexone‑containing medicines)
- Other diabetes or weight‑related medications
4. Mental health, relationship with food and body image
If you’re struggling with binge‑eating, severe body image distress, self‑harm or unsafe restriction, medication alone could make things worse. The updated Australian obesity guidelines specifically flag eating disorders and psychological factors as needing specialised care.
5. Your goals and preferences
- How much weight do you realistically want – and need – to lose?
- Are you open to injections, or would you strongly prefer tablets?
- What are your fears (for example, side effects, stigma, long‑term use)?
In other words: eligibility is not just a number – it’s a whole‑person decision.

Step 4: The main weight loss medications in Australia – and who they’re for
Let’s walk through the big players you’ve probably heard about, using Australian‑specific information from the TGA and Healthdirect.
1. GLP‑1 receptor agonists (e.g. semaglutide, liraglutide)
These are the “weight loss injections” you hear most about.
In Australia, GLP‑1s used for obesity treatment include:
- Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly (brand: Wegovy®) – a higher‑dose version of the semaglutide used in Ozempic
- Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily (brand: Saxenda®)
They work by:
- Mimicking a gut hormone (GLP‑1) that helps you feel full
- Slowing stomach emptying
- Reducing appetite and cravings
Who are GLP‑1 medications approved for?
TGA approvals (summarised in plain English) say these can be used as adjuncts to a reduced‑energy diet and increased physical activity in:
- Adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m², or
- Adults with BMI ≥27–30 kg/m² plus at least one weight‑related comorbidity (e.g. pre‑diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal lipids, sleep apnoea).
For Wegovy, there is also TGA approval for:
- Adolescents aged 12+ with obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile on age‑ and sex‑specific charts, and weight over 60 kg), as an adjunct to lifestyle measures.
- Adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI ≥27 kg/m², to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events – again as an add‑on to standard care.
Ozempic, by contrast, is only approved in Australia for type 2 diabetes, not for obesity – its use purely for weight loss is “off‑label”, and has contributed to ongoing shortages.
What about PBS coverage?
As of January 2026:
- Ozempic is PBS‑subsidised for type 2 diabetes, but not for obesity alone.
- Wegovy has TGA approval for weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction, and has received positive PBS recommendations for a narrow group of very high‑risk patients, but broad subsidy for obesity is still under negotiation.
For most people using GLP‑1s purely for weight loss, treatment is currently a private cost, often in the range of several hundred dollars per month.
Always check the current PBS schedule or ask your doctor or pharmacist – this space is changing quickly.
Pros and cons in a nutshell
Potential benefits:
- Larger average weight loss than older tablets in clinical trials
- Improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, especially in people with diabetes or heart disease
Potential downsides:
- Common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
- Risk of gallbladder issues and, rarely, pancreatitis
- Need for ongoing injections
- Cost and access (including shortages)
- Weight is often regained after stopping, sometimes quickly, because obesity is a chronic condition and the biological drivers return.
For many Australians, GLP‑1s are reserved for people with higher BMI and higher medical risk, where the potential benefits clearly outweigh these downsides.
2. Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave®)
Contrave is an oral combination of naltrexone (used in addiction medicine) and bupropion (an antidepressant and smoking cessation medicine). It works on brain pathways related to appetite and reward.
TGA indication:
- Adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m², or
- BMI ≥27–30 kg/m² plus at least one weight‑related comorbidity (e.g. type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, controlled hypertension)
- As an adjunct to reduced‑calorie diet and increased physical activity
Importantly, treatment should be stopped after 16 weeks if you haven’t lost at least 5% of your initial body weight, because ongoing benefit is unlikely.
Key safety points doctors consider:
- Not suitable if you have a seizure disorder, uncontrolled high blood pressure, bipolar disorder, current or past bulimia/anorexia, heavy alcohol withdrawal, or are dependent on opioids.
- Can raise blood pressure and heart rate, especially early on
- Can cause nausea, constipation, headache, insomnia and, rarely, mood changes or suicidal thoughts – so mood monitoring matters
Contrave is not on the PBS for weight loss, so it is a private prescription.
3. Phentermine (Duromine®, Metermine® and others)
Phentermine is an older stimulant‑type appetite suppressant. It’s been used in Australia for decades, usually short‑term.
Indication (simplified):
- Short‑term adjunct (typically a few weeks to months) to a supervised weight‑reduction program in patients with:
- BMI ≥30 kg/m², or
- BMI 25–29.9 kg/m² with increased risk of morbidity
Because it acts on the sympathetic nervous system, it can cause side effects such as:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Insomnia, agitation, anxiety
- Dry mouth, constipation
It’s usually avoided in people with cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, anxiety disorders, hyperthyroidism, or a history of substance misuse.
For some people, a carefully monitored short course can help kick‑start weight loss alongside lifestyle changes; for others, the risks or side effects outweigh the benefits.
4. Orlistat (Xenical®)
Orlistat works in your gut rather than your brain. It blocks enzymes that digest fat, so around one‑third of the fat you eat passes through unabsorbed.
In Australia, Xenical 120 mg is available as a pharmacist‑only medicine (Schedule 3):
- It’s indicated for people with BMI ≥30 kg/m², or BMI ≥27 kg/m² with additional risk factors, used with a mildly energy‑reduced diet.
- You don’t need a doctor’s prescription, but the pharmacist should assess if it’s appropriate and give counselling.
Typical downsides are gastrointestinal:
- Oily spotting or discharge
- Urgent or more frequent bowel motions
- Flatulence with leakage (yes, those horror stories are mostly about orlistat)
These are much more likely if you eat a high‑fat diet while taking it. Because it reduces absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), a multivitamin at a different time of day is often recommended.
Orlistat tends to produce modest weight loss for people who can tolerate the side effects and stick with the diet changes.
5. Other medications with weight effects
Some other medicines used primarily for diabetes, mental health or hormonal conditions can cause weight loss or gain as a side effect. For example:
- Some diabetes medicines (like SGLT2 inhibitors, metformin) tend to promote mild weight loss
- Some antidepressants and antipsychotics cause weight gain
Australian prescribers might switch or choose medications partly based on weight considerations, but that’s very individual and always balanced against the primary condition being treated.
This is where a good GP – or a specialist such as an endocrinologist or psychiatrist – really earns their keep.
If you’re unsure which kind of doctor you actually need, our article “[GP vs Specialist: Who Do You Really Need to See?]” breaks this down for hormones, metabolism and weight, including when an endocrinologist or bariatric surgeon referral makes sense.

Who usually isn’t a good candidate for weight loss medication?
Every case is unique, but there are some common patterns where medication is less likely to be appropriate:
- BMI under about 27 with no major weight‑related health conditions
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women (weight loss drugs are generally avoided)
- Children and younger teens, except in specialist paediatric obesity services (even though Wegovy has some adolescent approvals, this is not something telehealth clinics manage)
- People with active eating disorders (e.g. bulimia, anorexia, severe binge‑eating) who need specialist psychological care
- People wanting to lose a few kilos purely for cosmetic reasons without any health risk factors
If you’re in one of these groups, your doctor is more likely to focus on lifestyle, mental health support, and long‑term behaviour change, not medication.

How sexual and reproductive health ties in
Weight touches nearly every area of health – including sex and fertility.
Excess weight can be linked with:
- PCOS and irregular periods
- Reduced fertility in both men and women
- Lower testosterone and erectile difficulties in some men
- Increased risk of pregnancy complications
The flip side is that modest weight loss can often improve cycle regularity, fertility outcomes and sexual function – but it’s not a magic fix, and shame doesn’t help anyone.
If sexual health is a big part of why you’re considering weight loss:
- You might find our contraception guide “[Birth Control Options and How to Get Them in Australia]” helpful, especially if you’re juggling PCOS, periods and pregnancy planning.
- If you’re dealing with erectile issues, our post “[3 Big Myths About ED Pills You Need to Stop Believing]” explains how weight, heart health and erections all connect – and what safe treatment actually looks like in Australia.
A good weight management consult should take these sexual and reproductive factors seriously, not brush them off.

What a weight management consult actually looks like (including telehealth)
Whether you see your local GP or book a telehealth consultation with us at NextClinic, you can expect something like this:
- Pre‑appointment questionnaire
- Height, weight and (sometimes) waist measurement
- Medical history and medications
- Previous weight loss attempts
- Smoking, alcohol, sleep, stress
- Conversation about goals and expectations
- How is your weight affecting your daily life, health, work, energy or sex life?
- What would “success” look like in 6–12 months?
- Are you hoping for medication, or just clarity and a plan?
- Review of health risks and investigations
- Blood pressure and heart history
- Diabetes risk and cholesterol
- Screening for sleep apnoea symptoms, joint problems, mental health
Your doctor may organise blood tests or sleep studies before deciding on medication.
- Discussion of options
- Lifestyle and behavioural strategies (often underestimated, but still foundational)
- Whether prescription weight loss medication is appropriate now, later, or not at all
- Which medication class might fit best given your BMIs, comorbidities, preferences and budget
- Whether you’d benefit from a specialist referral – for example, to an endocrinologist, obesity physician or bariatric surgeon
If you do need a referral, services like our [Online Specialist Referrals] pathway can often save you an extra in‑person trip, as long as it’s clinically appropriate.
- Clear safety‑net and follow‑up
- When to seek urgent help (e.g. chest pain, severe abdominal pain, suicidal thoughts)
- How often to review weight, side effects and broader health
- What to do if the medication doesn’t work or is not tolerated
At NextClinic, our telehealth doctors follow the same Australian standards as any GP clinic: they won’t prescribe a medicine – weight loss or otherwise – unless it’s safe, legal and clinically justified. Sometimes that means saying “No to a script, yes to a proper plan and maybe a referral”.

Getting ready for your appointment: a quick checklist
If you’re thinking about asking your GP or one of our online doctors about weight loss medication, a bit of prep can make the consult far more productive.
Before your visit:
- Measure and note down:
- Your height (in cm) and weight (in kg)
- Your waist circumference (around the belly button) if you can
- Write a brief weight history:
- When did weight start to creep up?
- Your highest and lowest adult weights
- What you’ve tried (diets, programs, medications) and what happened
- List your health conditions and medications:
- Any heart, kidney, liver or mental health diagnoses
- All prescriptions, over‑the‑counter meds, supplements and recreational drugs
- Think about your goals:
- “I want to lose X kg” is fine – but also think about non‑scale goals:
- Playing with kids without puffing
- Fewer migraines
- Better sexual confidence
- Lower blood sugar or blood pressure
- Note your questions:
- “Am I eligible for medication given my BMI and blood pressure?”
- “Would a tablet or injection make more sense for me?”
- “How long would I likely need to stay on it?”
- “What are the realistic benefits and side effects?”
Turning up prepared helps your doctor use the consult time for actual decision‑making, not just data‑gathering.

Cost, PBS, and setting realistic expectations
A few realities to keep in mind:
- Most weight loss medicines are not fully PBS‑subsidised for obesity.
- Some, like Ozempic, are subsidised for diabetes only.
- Wegovy is moving toward PBS coverage for a limited group of people with obesity plus established cardiovascular disease, but broad subsidy for obesity alone is not here yet.
- Private costs can be substantial.
- It’s common to pay hundreds of dollars per month for GLP‑1s when used for weight management, even more for some private prescriptions.
- Obesity is chronic.
- GLP‑1 studies show that most people regain weight after stopping the drug, often faster than people who lost weight with lifestyle changes alone.
- Think of medication as a long‑term tool in your toolkit, not a temporary detox.
- Lifestyle and support still matter.
- Even on powerful meds, people do best when they also work on sleep, food environment, movement, alcohol and stress.
- Dietitians and psychologists are often as important as the script.

Pulling it together: a few example scenarios
These are hypothetical and not personal medical advice, but they show how doctors might think.
Scenario 1: “Classic” eligibility
- 45‑year‑old woman, BMI 34
- Type 2 diabetes on metformin, high blood pressure on one tablet
- Tried structured diet and walking program for 6 months, lost 3 kg then plateaued
Here, she clearly meets standard criteria (BMI ≥30 + comorbidities). Her doctor might discuss a GLP‑1 medication or Contrave, depending on her heart history, mental health, budget and preferences – alongside ongoing diabetes and blood pressure management.
Scenario 2: BMI 28 with PCOS and pre‑diabetes
- 32‑year‑old woman, BMI 28
- Irregular periods, PCOS, pre‑diabetes, trying to conceive in 1–2 years
- Has seen a dietitian, made changes but only small weight shift
She falls into the BMI 27–30 + comorbidities bracket. A GP might consider medication, especially if lifestyle measures haven’t been enough and metabolic risks are rising – but they’ll weigh this carefully against her fertility plans and choose a medication that fits that context. Hormones, contraception and pregnancy planning will be part of the conversation.
Scenario 3: “Overweight but otherwise healthy”
- 27‑year‑old man, BMI 26.5
- No medical conditions, normal blood tests
- Worried about appearance and social media pressure
Here, he doesn’t meet usual thresholds for pharmacotherapy. The focus is much more likely to be on:
- Nutrition and exercise coaching
- Sleep, stress and mental health
- Body image, social media and expectations
If he was also experiencing erectile difficulties and low energy, a doctor might do a deeper check‑up (testosterone, cardiovascular risks), but weight‑loss medication alone would be unlikely.
Scenario 4: Severe obesity and major complications
- 52‑year‑old man, BMI 42
- Obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, knee osteoarthritis, previous heart attack
He very clearly fits high‑risk criteria. Here, a comprehensive obesity treatment plan may include:
- Intensive lifestyle support
- GLP‑1 medication or other pharmacotherapy
- Specialist referrals – to an endocrinologist, sleep physician and possibly a bariatric surgeon
Telehealth can help with some elements (scripts, referrals, follow‑up), but he’ll also need ongoing in‑person care and monitoring.

How we can help at NextClinic
We can’t promise a particular medication – and we won’t hand out scripts just because they’re trending on social media. What we can offer is:
- Telehealth consultations with Australian‑registered doctors, who can assess your overall health, calculate your BMI correctly, and talk through whether prescription weight loss might play a role for you
- Online prescriptions, if a medication is clinically appropriate and safe in your situation
- Specialist referrals, for example to an endocrinologist or obesity specialist, when you need more specialised input than any GP (online or in person) can give.
We also regularly publish practical guides on related topics – from [GP vs Specialist: Who Do You Really Need to See?] to sexual health, contraception and mental health – so you can understand how all the pieces of your health fit together.

Final thoughts – and a challenge for this week
Let’s recap the key points:
- BMI matters, but it’s not everything. In Australia, most doctors start considering obesity treatment medication around BMI 30, or BMI 27+ with weight‑related health problems.
- Eligibility is about health, not looks. Comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, PCOS and heart disease strongly influence decisions.
- Different medications suit different people. GLP‑1 injections, Contrave, phentermine and orlistat all have specific BMI cut‑offs, pros, cons and safety issues.
- Obesity is a chronic disease. Medications can be powerful tools, but long‑term lifestyle support and mental health care are still essential.
- Telehealth can be part of safe obesity treatment. A proper weight management consult – whether with your local GP or our online doctors – should feel like a whole‑health review, not a script‑dispensing service.
Now for your challenge:
This week, choose just one concrete step to move your weight and health story forward. For example:
- Use an Australian BMI calculator and jot down your BMI, waist and a few health goals.
- Book a GP or telehealth consult specifically to talk about weight, not just squeeze it into the last minute of another appointment.
- Write a one‑page “weight history” and bring it to your next visit.
- If sexual or reproductive health is part of the picture, read one of our related posts and write down the questions you’d like to ask.
Then tell us in the comments:
Which strategy are you choosing this week – and what do you hope it will change for you over the next 6–12 months?
Your story might be exactly what another Aussie needs to finally ask, “Am I eligible for weight loss medication – and what would a healthier future look like for me?”

References
FAQs

Q: What is the general eligibility criteria for weight loss medication in Australia?
Doctors typically consider medication for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher if accompanied by weight-related comorbidities (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea), provided lifestyle measures alone haven't worked.
Q: What types of weight loss medications are available?
The main categories include GLP-1 receptor agonists (injections like Wegovy and Saxenda), combination therapies (Contrave), stimulant-type appetite suppressants (Phentermine/Duromine), and fat absorption blockers (Orlistat/Xenical).
Q: Is Ozempic approved for weight loss?
No. In Australia, Ozempic is approved only for type 2 diabetes. Its use for weight loss is 'off-label.' However, Wegovy contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and is specifically approved for weight management.
Q: Are these medications covered by the PBS?
Generally, no. Most obesity medications are not subsidized by the PBS for weight loss alone, meaning patients usually pay full private costs, which can range from hundreds of dollars per month.
Q: Who is usually not a suitable candidate for these medications?
Medication is typically not appropriate for people with a BMI under 27 without health risks, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children (outside specialist care), or individuals with active eating disorders.
Q: Do I still need to change my diet and lifestyle?
Yes. Medications are designed as an adjunct to—not a replacement for—a reduced-energy diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral changes.
Q: What happens during a weight management consultation?
A doctor (in-person or telehealth) will review your medical history, calculate BMI, check for contraindications, discuss previous weight loss attempts, and determine if medication or a specialist referral is appropriate.