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Applying the Advertising Code

The Therapeutic Goods (Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code) Instrument 2021 (the Code) outlines requirements when advertising to the general public.

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The Therapeutic Goods (Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code) Instrument 2021 (the Code) is a key piece of legislation that outlines many of our advertising requirements when advertising to the general public.

The Code ensures that therapeutic good advertisements to the public: 

  • promote their safe and proper use 
  • do not mislead or deceive the consumer or create unrealistic expectations about product performance 
  • support informed health care choices 
  • are not inconsistent with relevant current public health campaigns.

This page separates the Code into parts and provides relevant guidance on its application.

We recommend you read the Code and the Guidance together when checking your advertising compliance.

You should be familiar with:

The information set out in this guidance does not alter responsibilities that an advertiser has under other relevant laws, including but not limited to, the Australian Consumer Law - external site.

See the Therapeutic Goods (Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code) Instrument 2021 for more detail.

When the Code applies

The Code applies to therapeutic goods that are advertised to the general public.

Part 2 of the Code provides more details on when it does and does not apply, which is explained in the guidance Applying the Advertising Code rules: general requirements.

You can use the tool Can I advertise this therapeutic good to the public? 

How the Code applies

The information below explains different parts of the Code and how they apply to advertising.

Requirements for advertising to be accurate, balanced and not misleading

In addition to these requirements, see information about naming therapeutic goods and using natural claims to ensure they do not mislead or deceive consumers:

Requirements for advertising statements, representations, methods and pricing

Advertising compliance checklist form

Our checklist will assist you in assessing your consumer advertising for compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) and Code requirements. 

Use the checklist along with the Act, the Code and published guidance to help understand and comply with requirements. 

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