OBJECTIVE: To determine carer preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for a long-acting injection administered fortnightly versus short-acting oral-based treatment for schizophrenia. METHODS: Carers of people with schizophrenia were recruited through the Schizophrenia Fellowship of New South Wales and participants completed a mail out questionnaire (n=73). All data were de-identified and privacy regulations were adhered to. Treatment preference and WTP for a fortnightly long-acting injection versus oral-based treatment were evaluated using discrete choice conjoint analysis (CA). WTP was also valued with contingent valuation (CV). Attributes in the WTP valuation included route of administration, frequency of relapse, frequency of extrapyramidal symptoms, weight change and injection site reactions. Responses deemed irrational were excluded from the primary analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of carers was 61 years and the majority were females caring for a son or daughter. Approximately 90% of respondents returned rational responses. WTP with CA was consistently higher than the WTP with CV. The results from the WTP analyses showed that a long-acting fortnightly injection-based treatment was preferred over a short-acting tablet-based treatment. The unadjusted incremental WTP from the CA and CV for the long-acting injection-based treatment over a short-acting oral medication were AUD$322 per month and $155 per month, respectively. The individual attributes driving the overall WTP were explored. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, carers of people with schizophrenia prefer and are willing to pay for an injection-based treatment over a tablet-based treatment. Reasons for the treatment preference and willingness to pay for an injection-based treatment include the perception that the long-acting injection would improve patient adherence with medication and the fact that the treatment is administered by a nurse within the public hospital or community setting.