Scheduling (national classification system)
Scheduling is a national classification system that controls how medicines and chemicals are made available to the consumers in order to protect public health.
Medicines and chemicals are classified into Schedules according to the level of regulatory control over the availability of the medicine or chemical required to protect public health and safety. The Schedules are published in the Poisons Standard and are given legal effect through state and territory legislation.
For details go to Scheduling of medicines & poisons.
Key information
Scheduling
- Scheduling basics
- Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling
- Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling
- Public notices about scheduling
- Update on Psilocybin and MDMA scheduling
- Implementation of decisions and actions following the review of chemical scheduling in relation to cosmetic and fragrance ingredients
- Scheduling legislation
- Scheduling news
Poisons Standard
- Introduction to the Poisons Standard
- The Poisons Standard (the SUSMP)
- AHMAC - Scheduling policy framework for medicines and chemicals
- Scheduling handbook: Guidance for amending the Poisons Standard
State and territory information
- State/Territory scheduling information
- Contacts for State/Territory medicines & poisons regulation units
- Australian State & Territory regulatory controls on Schedule 7 poisons
- Australian State & Territory variations from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard
Amending the Poisons Standard and consultation coversheets
- Scheduling handbook: Guidance for amending the Poisons Standard
- Application to amend the Poisons Standard
- Scheduling consultation coversheets
Reports
- Independent Expert Panel on MDMA and psilocybin
- Independent expert report on the risks of intentional self-poisoning with paracetamol
- An evaluation of the therapeutic value, benefits and risks of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin for the treatment of mental, behavioural or developmental disorders
- Regulatory options for appropriate access and safety controls for alkyl nitrites - Public meeting questions and answers
Latest articles
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Comply with paracetamol pack size changes
If you are a non-pharmacy retailer such as a supermarket, petrol station or convenience store, you will only be able to sell packs of paracetamol containing 16 tablets or capsules from 1 February 2025.
If you currently have paracetamol packs containing 20 tablets or capsules, you need to run down your stocks before 1 February 2025, or return them to the wholesaler. It will be illegal to sell packs of 20 from this date. -
Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard) (Paracetamol) Labelling Exemption (No. 1) 2024
This instrument is made under section 39 of the current Poisons Standard. -
Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard) (Paracetamol) Labelling Exemption (No. 2) 2024
This instrument is made under section 39 of the current Poisons Standard.
Latest publications
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Publication of the decisions made by a delegate of the Secretary in relation to to nicotinic acid.
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This web publication constitutes a notice for the purposes of regulations 42ZCZS and 42ZCZX of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 (the Regulations).
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We are seeking submissions for a consultation on the interim decisions for IV potassium salts and nicotinic acid.
Open consultations
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Consultation: Proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard – ACCS and Joint ACMS-ACCS meetings – March 2025
Have your say about proposals to amend the Poisons Standard. These will be considered at the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling (ACCS) and joint meeting of the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling (ACMS) and ACCS.