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Related authorities

A number of Australian government authorities including federal, state and local authorities, have different responsibilities in relation to the regulation of controlled substances. You must ensure you comply with all relevant legal requirements.

Australian Government

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Visit the TGA - external site to find information about:

​​Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Visit DAFF - external site to find information about:

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)

Visit FSANZ - external site to find information about:

Department of Health and Aged Care

Visit the Department of Health and Aged Care - external site to find information about drug, alcohol and tobacco harm reduction, programs and research. 

Drugs

Alcohol

Smoking and tobacco

Australian Federal Police (AFP)

Visit the AFP - external site to find information about:

  • Drug crime - external site - The AFP has the lead role for the Australian Government relating to the detection and prosecution of persons who attempt to illegally import or export border-controlled substances into Australia.
  • Strategies - external site - Effective border control through collaboration with domestic partner agencies such as the Australian Border Force, state and territory police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission is the primary line of defence for combating illegal importation into Australia.

Australian Border Force (ABF)

Visit ABF - external site to find information about:

State and territory legislation

You need to meet your own state or territory regulations as well as applying for our licences and permits. For example:

  • some states have specific requirements or limitations for medicinal cannabis
  • restrictions in the Northern Territory mean that kava may not be brought into this jurisdiction.

For illegal substances, common offences include:

  • possession
  • use
  • cultivating or manufacturing
  • importing or exporting
  • selling or supplying (known as trafficking).

For more information on the penalties that apply in your state or territory, refer to specific state and territory legislation.

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

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