The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.
You can apply for a licence and permits to grow, produce or manufacture cannabis in Australia.
This must be for medicinal or scientific purposes.
You must get a licence and relevant permits before starting activities.
You can't get a licence for personal use. For use as a patient or prescriber, go to the medicinal cannabis hub - external site.
Fees and charges
The cost to apply for a licence and relevant permits is at least $50,000.
How much you must pay in total will depend on:
- the activities you want to undertake
- licence variations you make
- if we undertake inspections.
After you get a licence, you must pay a charge of $27,830 every year.
For more information read guidance: fees and charges.
Who can apply
To get a medicinal cannabis licence and permits you must give evidence showing:
- business experience
- a sound and stable financial background
- good repute, connections and associations
- the sites you will operate from are appropriate and secure.
Entity types
The following can apply for a medicinal cannabis licence:
- individuals
- bodies corporate – companies with ‘Ltd’ in the title
- Federal, state or territory agencies.
Trusts and partnerships can’t apply. Trustees can apply.
Criminal history and drug use
Your application may be refused if you have:
- been convicted of a serious offence
- a history of illicit drug use.
The process
Authorisation to grow, produce or manufacture cannabis in Australia is a two-part process:
- Get a medicinal cannabis licence
- Get relevant permits
Get a medicinal cannabis licence
A medicinal cannabis licence will authorise you to:
- grow cannabis plants – cultivation
- remove resin, flowers or fruiting tops from the plant – production
- transform cannabis and resin into a drug or extract – manufacture.
Get a medicinal cannabis licence
Get relevant permits
The permits you need will depend on the activities you want to undertake.
You can apply for medicinal cannabis permits allowing:
- cultivation and production
- manufacture.
You will need to pass an initial site inspection.
Apply for a medicinal cannabis permit – cultivation and production
Apply for a medicinal cannabis permit – manufacture
Get help
To find out more call (02) 6289 4628 or email mcs.application@health.gov.au