A new study from UNSW Sydney has quantified what many in the community already suspected: half a million Australians are now regularly using GLP-1 medicines. The research, published on July 31, 2026, provides the most comprehensive picture yet of how these drugs have been adopted in Australia, and the numbers are striking.
The Numbers
According to the UNSW study, approximately 500,000 Australians are regular users of GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. That figure covers both diabetes patients using medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and people using these drugs for weight management.
The study found that private prescriptions have been the primary driver of growth. While the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) covers GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes, the vast majority of weight management prescriptions are filled through private scripts – meaning patients are paying full price out of pocket.
This is consistent with global trends. Epic Research published data in May 2026 showing that GLP-1 use has more than quadrupled since 2021 in the United States, and that obesity rates are beginning to show signs of decline for the first time in decades.
What Drives the Growth
The UNSW researchers identified several factors behind the surge:
Changing social norms. Weight loss drugs are no longer a niche话题话题话题话题. They are discussed openly on social media, in news articles, and among friends and family. The stigma around using medication for weight management has decreased significantly.
Expanding prescribing. More GPs are comfortable prescribing GLP-1s for weight management, following updated clinical guidelines and the availability of higher-dose formulations specifically approved for obesity (Wegovy 2.4 mg, Zepbound 15 mg).
Telehealth access. Online prescribing services have made it easier to get a prescription without visiting a physical clinic. While telehealth has improved access for many, it has also raised concerns about appropriate patient selection and follow-up care.
Celebrity and influencer endorsement. High-profile public figures who have used GLP-1s have normalised the conversation. The UNSW study does not directly attribute the surge to celebrity influence, but the timing correlates with increased media coverage of weight loss drug use among public figures.
The Australian Context
Australia is an interesting case study because our regulatory and prescribing environment sits somewhere between the US (where direct-to-consumer advertising is legal) and Europe (where access is more restricted).
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved GLP-1s for both diabetes and weight management, but PBS subsidies only cover the diabetes indication. This creates a two-tier system: people with type 2 diabetes can access these drugs at a subsidised price, while people using them for weight management pay full price – typically $300 to $600 per month depending on the drug and dose.
Despite the cost, demand has not slowed. The UNSW data suggests that Australian patients are willing to pay significant out-of-pocket expenses for access to these therapies.
Concerns Alongside the Growth
The UNSW study is not purely celebratory. The researchers also highlighted concerns about the rapid uptake:
Off-label and unmonitored use. Not everyone obtaining GLP-1s is doing so through proper medical channels. The study noted that some patients are sourcing compounds from compounding pharmacies or online vendors, bypassing regulatory safeguards.
Eating disorder risks. The ABC, publishing a related story on August 4, reported that some clinicians are seeing unregulated peptide use linked to body image disorders. The UNSW study did not directly address this, but the overlap between the prescription GLP-1 surge and the unregulated peptide market is a concern.
Long-term adherence. GLP-1s are chronic therapies. Stopping them typically leads to weight regain. The UNSW study raised questions about whether the healthcare system is prepared for the long-term management needs of half a million (and growing) patients.
Health equity. The two-tier PBS system means that access is correlated with income. People who can afford private prescriptions get access; people who cannot are left with fewer options.
What the Research Says
The UNSW Sydney study provides the following key data points:
- Approximately 500,000 regular GLP-1 users in Australia as of mid-2026
- Private prescriptions are the dominant access pathway for weight management
- Use has accelerated significantly since 2023
- The trend is consistent with global patterns reported by Epic Research and other population health studies
Forbes, reporting in June 2026 on GLP-1 statistics and trends, noted that global GLP-1 prescribing has grown at an unprecedented rate, with the market projected to exceed $100 billion annually within the next few years.
The Bottom Line
Half a million Australians are using GLP-1 medicines. That number will grow. The UNSW study gives us a baseline to measure what happens next – as new drugs enter the market, as prices potentially come down, and as the regulatory framework adapts to a world where these medicines are no longer a niche treatment for diabetes but a mainstream option for weight management.
For the Australian community following this space, the takeaway is clear: GLP-1s have arrived in a big way, and the conversation has moved from “if” to “how” we manage widespread access.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, therapeutic recommendations, or endorsements of any compound. Grey Highway is a research-education community. We do not sell, supply, or promote the use of research compounds. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding health decisions. For Australian regulatory information, visit the TGA website.
Sources:
- UNSW Sydney (July 31, 2026) – “Half a million Australians are regularly using GLP-1 medicines: study”
- nine.com.au (July 31, 2026) – “Half a million Australians now using GLP-1 drugs as private prescriptions soar”
- Epic Research (May 21, 2026) – “GLP-1 Use Has More Than Quadrupled Since 2021 as Obesity Rates Continue to Show Signs of Decline”
- Forbes (June 4, 2026) – “Key GLP-1 Statistics & Trends In 2026”
- ABC News (August 4, 2026) – “‘My brother has megarexia’: Unregulated peptides exacerbating male eating disorders”