weight management · updated mar 2026 · 8 min read
GLP-1 agonists in Australia: the new frontier in weight management
key points
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) lead the field, with 15 to 20% average weight loss in trials.
- Not yet PBS-listed for weight loss, so private scripts cost roughly $300 to $750 a month.
- Side effects (mostly nausea) are common early and usually settle by week four.
- They work best alongside diet and lifestyle changes, under GP supervision.
What are GLP-1 agonists?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists represent one of the most significant advances in obesity treatment in recent decades. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these medications mimic a hormone naturally produced in your intestines that regulates appetite and blood sugar.
When you eat food, your body naturally releases GLP-1 hormone, which:
- Slows gastric emptying (keeps food in your stomach longer)
- Increases feelings of fullness
- Reduces appetite by acting on brain centres that control hunger
- Improves insulin secretion while reducing glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar)
GLP-1 receptor agonists essentially provide a higher, more sustained level of this hormone activity than what occurs naturally.
The leading medications in Australia
Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®)
Semaglutide made headlines when clinical trials showed participants losing an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, far exceeding the results of previous weight loss medications.
In Australia:
- Ozempic is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for type 2 diabetes.
- Wegovy (the higher-dose version specifically for weight management) was registered by the TGA in June 2023 but is not yet PBS-listed for obesity, meaning patients pay the full price of approximately $380 to $430 per month.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)
Taking things a step further, tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that acts on two different hormone pathways.
In Australia:
- Comes in 5 doses, ranging from 2.5 mg per pen up to 15 mg.
- Registered by the TGA in November 2023 for type 2 diabetes, with the weight loss indication added in September 2024.
- Not yet PBS-listed, with private prescriptions costing approximately $300 to $750 monthly.
- Shown to produce about 20% average weight loss in clinical trials.
What to expect: side effects and considerations
While effective, these medications aren't without side effects:
Common side effects:
- Nausea (most common, especially during dose escalation)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
Less common but more serious concerns:
- Pancreatitis (rare)
- Gallbladder issues
Most gastrointestinal side effects improve with time as the body adjusts to the medication. Slow dose escalation helps minimise these effects.
Beyond weight loss: additional benefits
Research suggests these medications offer benefits beyond the scale:
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular events (heart disease, strokes)
- Improved liver health in patients with fatty liver disease
- Better joint pain in those with osteoarthritis
- Potential reduction in obstructive sleep apnoea severity
- Improved quality of life metrics
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidelines recommend:
- Comprehensive lifestyle intervention as first-line therapy
- Consideration of pharmacotherapy for those who haven't achieved sufficient weight loss through lifestyle changes
- Ongoing monitoring for efficacy and side effects
The future of GLP-1 agonists in Australia
The landscape is rapidly evolving:
- PBS listings for obesity management are under consideration
- Additional GLP-1 medications are in the TGA approval pipeline
- Manufacturing capacity is increasing globally
- Some of these drugs will come out of patents within a few years!
Key takeaways
GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a paradigm shift in obesity treatment, offering:
- Unprecedented efficacy outside of surgery
- Multiple health benefits beyond weight loss
- Generally manageable side effect profiles
- A medical approach that recognises obesity as a chronic disease
While not magic bullets, these medications provide powerful tools when combined with appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes. As with any medical treatment, they should be used under physician supervision with careful monitoring of response and side effects.
Resources and support
- The Obesity Collective and the Obesity Evidence Hub
- Diabetes Australia offers resources on medication access
- The PBS website provides up-to-date information on medication listings and restrictions
- The TGA website posts supply shortage updates
Useful mobile apps:
- Noom: a behavioural change program combining psychology, goal-setting and coaching to build sustainable weight loss habits, not just count calories.
- MyFitnessPal: one of the most popular and comprehensive nutrition trackers.
- Yuka: scan the barcode of any food product to instantly see its nutritional quality and healthier alternatives.
- EatWise: an AI-powered app for tracking calories and planning meals.
Sources: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, 2024 · Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, 2024 · RACGP, Management of type 2 diabetes: a handbook for general practice, 2023 · Obesity Australia, Weight Management Guidelines, 2023 · NEJM, semaglutide study
Dr Ahmed Al-Obaidi · FRACGP
General information only, not personal medical advice. Talk to your own GP about what suits you.