Bringing in personal medication & continuing overseas prescriptions
If you take any medication, be sure to check before you leave. This brings together everything from the requirements for carrying it in under the TGA traveller's exemption to switching over to an Australian GP prescription.
What the TGA traveller rules are — and what this guide covers
The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) is the Australian federal regulator responsible for medicines and medical devices. As a general rule, importing medication into Australia requires meeting import requirements, but under the traveller's exemption travellers can carry in medication without separate approval, subject to certain requirements, provided it is for treatment of themselves or family entering with them. This guide focuses specifically on the process of bringing in the medication you take and continuing it in Australia, rather than on entry declarations generally. For completing the passenger card and customs and biosecurity declarations in general, please also refer to the arrivals and customs guide.
Carrying in vs. international post — completely different regulations
The traveller's exemption applies only when you carry the medication in person on entry. Medication that arrives by international post or courier is subject to entirely separate import regulations, with different prescription requirements, and prohibited ingredients can be seized. The most important starting point on this topic is that 'medication you bring in on entry' and 'medication sent to you later' are subject to completely different rules.
Key rules for carrying in — 3-month supply, prescription, original packaging
The three core principles when carrying in medication under the traveller's exemption are the quantity limit, prescription documents, and keeping the original packaging. Just following these three will let you bring in most ordinary prescription medicines without a problem.
Declaring on the incoming passenger card — when in doubt, declare
Medication containing controlled substances, or animal- or plant-derived ingredients (such as herbal medicine), must be declared on your incoming passenger card. If there is no problem after you declare, you pass straight through, but if you fail to declare and are caught, you may face penalties such as fines or seizure. When in doubt, declaring is always the safe choice. Tips for completing the incoming passenger card are covered in detail in the arrivals and customs guide.
- Quantity: up to a 3-month supply (based on the maximum recommended dose) for treatment of yourself and accompanying family
Pre-departure checklist
Most of the documents can only be prepared in your home country before you leave, not after you arrive in Australia. In particular, arrange your English prescription and doctor's letter ahead of time so you don't have to go back to a clinic right before departure.
- English prescription or doctor's letter — stating the medicine name, generic name, dose, and purpose of treatment
- Medication list — a list compiling the generic name, dose, and dosage instructions in English
- Keep document copies separate — the original in your carry-on bag, copies separately in checked baggage or the cloud
Regulation by type of medication — four cases
Even the same 'medication' is subject to very different levels of regulation depending on its classification. First check which case your medication falls under.
Most can be carried in under the traveller's exemption. You just need to follow the three principles: 3-month supply, prescription, original packaging. Keep essential medication in your carry-on bag.
Opioid painkillers, benzodiazepine sleeping tablets, ADHD medicines (amphetamine class), medicinal cannabis, and the like require prescription documents plus a declaration on entry, and there may be additional requirements by ingredient. It is mandatory to confirm officially by ingredient name before you leave.
Animal- or plant-derived ingredients are subject to biosecurity regulations in addition to the rules on medication. They must be declared on the incoming passenger card, and products without ingredient labelling carry a high risk of seizure or destruction.
The traveller's exemption does not apply. Prescription medicines are subject to separate import requirements and prohibited ingredients can be seized, so the practice of 'medication sent by family' is risky. Checking with the TGA before sending is essential.
Continuing your prescription in Australia — switching to a GP is key
A home-country prescription cannot be used at an Australian pharmacy, so the key to a long stay is to switch to an Australian prescription through a GP before the medication you brought runs out. Preparing in the following order lets you continue without a gap.
- Book a GP 2–4 weeks before your medication runs out — there can be a wait for a first appointment, so leave yourself some room
- Bring your generic-name list and existing prescription to the appointment — this lets the same active ingredient be found quickly
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
These are mistakes that actually happen often. Most are problems that arise 'from not knowing', so knowing about them in advance is more than enough to avoid them.
- Family sending medication by international post — the traveller's exemption does not apply, and if the requirements are not met it is seized or destroyed
- Decanting pills into a day-of-the-week pill container — unlabelled medication cannot be checked for its ingredients and becomes a problem at inspection
- Not declaring, unaware it is a controlled ingredient — checking the ingredient name for sleeping tablets, ADHD medicines, and the like is mandatory, and if in doubt, declare
Useful official links
- TGA — Entering Australia (의약품 반입)(opens in a new window)
Official TGA guidance — the authoritative source for the rules on carrying in medicines and medical devices (the traveller's exemption).
- ABF — Can you bring it in? (반입 물품 확인)(opens in a new window)
Australian Border Force (ABF) — where you can check the list of prohibited and restricted goods and the declaration process.
- healthdirect — Medicines(opens in a new window)