A switching method and apparatus in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. A method of an Advanced Base Station (ABS) for a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) in the broadband wireless communication system includes transmitting to an Advanced Mobile Station (AMS) a message including identification information for a primary carrier that provides the MBS among multiple carriers supported by the ABS, switching to the primary carrier with respect to the AMS, and transmitting MBS data through the primary carrier.