Part 4 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (scheduled to the current Poisons Standard) is a record of decisions regarding the classification of medicines and chemicals into Schedules. States and territories can adopt the current Poisons Standard as made or adopt it subject to variations. Variations in each state and territory from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard are summarised below.
Note: The information below is current as at September 2021 and will be updated annually. You should refer to state and territory legislation within the relevant jurisdiction to determine whether the information below remains current.
On this page: Australian Capital Territory | New South Wales | Northern Territory | Queensland | South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Exemption for piper methysticum (kava) if prepared, possessed and consumed in accordance with the customs of the Pacific Islands in connection with an event declared by the Minister as per section 864 Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008. | Recognition of the cultural importance of kava to people of Pacific Island origin. | Further details may be accessed at ACT Health Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 or Pharmaceutical Services. |
New South Wales
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| No variations |
Northern Territory
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| No variations |
Queensland
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| No variations |
South Australia
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| No variations |
Tasmania
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Tasmania has made the Poisons (Application of Uniform Standard) Order 2021. This Order reclassifies Cannabis from Schedule 9 to Schedule 8 when used in research or development of products for human therapeutic use by the holder of a Tasmanian manufacturing licence or research licence, and the conditions of the licence specifically authorise the use. The Order was made to reflect changes in the Poisons Standard and revokes the Poisons (Application of Uniform Standard) Order 2018. | The Order continues to allow licences to be issued to permit, under strict conditions, defined testing or analysis on Cannabis as a Schedule 8 substance in Tasmania for scientific purposes. | The change will allow wholesale chemists to supply Cannabis reference standards and permit possession and use of Cannabis Sativa for scientific research and development purposes under licence only. |
Victoria
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| No variations |
Western Australia
See Medicines and Poisons Act 2014
| Departure from Part 4 of the Poisons Standard | Justification | Effect on suppliers or consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Addition to Schedule 4 of SCAEVOLA SPINESCENS. | To limit use of an extract of the plant for the treatment of cancer. | Must be supplied as a prescription medicine. |