Legislative Acts and Regulations relevant to prescriptions and prescribing

The Poisons Standard classifies medicines and chemicals into Schedules 1 to 10. State and territory legislation regulates the availability of medicines and chemicals, based on their classification in the Poisons Standard. Be aware that the regulations in each state and territory can vary significantly.

For more information, see the Poisons Standard  and the relevant state or territory Acts and Regulations, listed below.

Australian Capital Territory

• Drugs of Dependence Act 1989
• Drugs of Dependence Regulation 2009
• Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutics Goods Act 2008
• Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutics Goods Regulation 2008

New South Wales

• Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966
• Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008

Northern Territory

• Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2017
• Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Regulations 2004

Queensland

• Health Act 1937
• Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996

South Australia

• Controlled Substances Act 1984
• Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011

Tasmania

• Poisons Act 1971
• Poisons Regulations 2008

Victoria

• Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981
• Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017

Western Australia

• Medicines and Poisons Act 2014
• Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016