Controlled substances legislation

A wide range of medicines and poisons are used in health care, industry, agriculture and at home. These substances can cause harm if you do not use them safely and appropriately. The Controlled Substances Act 1984 and regulations include controls over the manufacture, sale, supply, possession and use of some of these substances (controlled substances). The aim of the controls is to protect public health and safety.

Substances that are controlled under the controlled substances legislation

  • scheduled medicines including prescription medicines, pharmacist only medicines and pharmacy medicines
  • some poisons such as weed killers and pesticides
  • some volatile solvents in products such as glues, lighter fluid and petrol
  • illegal drugs such as ecstasy and heroin
  • plants such as opium poppies
  • precursor chemicals such as pseudoephedrine, that are used to make drugs such as methamphetamine.

Regulations and codes of practice under the controlled substances legislation