While only a few restrictions are placed on what medicines and medical devices you can take when leaving Australia, other countries have different laws on what you can bring in.
Please note that some countries have very strict rules regarding certain types of medications –especially narcotics and medicinal cannabis products – being brought into their country. The TGA is not able to provide advice on the exact rules and regulations of each country.
Before you leave Australia, be sure to follow these simple rules to travel safely and legally with your medicines and medical devices.
Check that your medicine or medical device is allowed
If you or your doctor have any doubts about what you can take in, you should contact the appropriate Embassy or consulate. You can also check the ‘Health’ section of the country on the Smartraveller website.
Some medicines that are legally available in Australia, such as those containing codeine, may not be allowed in other countries or require a permit. You may need to apply for customs clearance for some medicines before entering some countries.
Be aware that restrictions may also apply to complementary medicines, such as vitamins and traditional medicines. If your medicine is illegal in your destination, ask your doctor about alternatives before you go.
Talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor or travel medicine specialist about any medicines or medical devices you are bringing, including over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
Remember that you cannot take Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for you or an immediate family member travelling with you. Taking PBS medicines overseas for someone else is illegal and carries penalties of up to $11,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment.
Customs authorities have the power to seize any medicines they suspect you are taking overseas for somebody else.
Case Study – Simple steps for travelling with medical devices
Sally has a pacemaker and travelled internationally for a holiday. She followed these simple tips to make sure the process went as seamlessly as possible:
- Spoke to her doctor before flying
- Informed airline staff of pacemaker around the time of booking her flights
- Got to the airport early
- Had her implant identification card handy
- Carried a letter from her doctor
- Informed staff of her pacemaker at screening points and customs.
Carry a doctor's letter
It’s a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor detailing any prescription medicines you are taking with you. This should include the name of the medicine, how much you are taking and state that it is for your personal use only.
If you’re carrying complementary medicines, ask your doctor to include these in the letter. Where possible, it is best to carry a letter from your doctor along with your prescriptions.
Visit the Services Australia Travelling with PBS medicines web page for more information.
Case study – Being prepared for your travels
Mary is on antidepressants and uses a CPAP machine. To prepare for her upcoming international travel, she visited the TGA website to see if there was any information about travelling with medicines and medical devices.
She discovered that she needed to talk to her doctor, so she promptly booked an appointment. Mary’s doctor provided her with a letter as well as her prescription. Since it was an overnight flight and she would need to use her CPAP machine while on the flight, Mary got in touch with her airline to complete their required forms before flying.
When the time came for her to travel, she had her prescription and doctor's letter ready to show to customs, and her medication and CPAP machine packed in her hand luggage.
Take enough for your whole trip
It may be difficult to refill your script overseas, so you should always take enough of your medicines and medical devices to last you for your whole trip.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines have an allowable limit you can take when you go overseas, which is different depending on your circumstances.
If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, make sure the quantity you’re taking is within the law and talk to your doctor about options for accessing medicines or medical devices overseas.
Buying or using illegal prescription drugs overseas is never safe and can have serious consequences to your health and wellbeing. They can also get you in trouble with the law and foreign countries may have harsher penalties than Australia. Make sure you have a valid prescription and have received medical advice before you buy or use prescription medicines overseas. For more information, visit the Smartraveller Prescription drugs and travel web page.
Carry medicines and medical devices in your hand luggage
Medicines are exempt from the 100ml limit on liquids, aerosols and gels.
Hypodermic needles are prohibited unless it is medically necessary for you to carry them. They should be accompanied with proof that you require them and be kept in your hand luggage with the medicine they will be used to administer.
Medicines to be careful with
Some medicines prescribed in Australia may be restricted or banned in other countries. Be careful if you need to travel with:
- medicines containing codeine
- strong painkillers prescribed from a pain specialist or hospital
- prescribed medicines of addiction
- controlled drugs - ask your doctor or pharmacist.