For specific questions about entering Australia with prescription medication, please consult this guide from the Australian Border Force.
You do not need a permit to bring in most prescription medicines even if they contain a controlled substance because such imports are generally covered by a traveler exemption scheme.
Prescription medication can be imported under a traveler exemption, provided that:
- you are arriving in Australia as a passenger on board a ship or aircraft
- the medicine is carried in your accompanied baggage
- you carry a letter or copy of your prescription (written in English) from your doctor to certify that the medicine has been prescribed to you to treat a medical condition
- the quantity of the medicine does not exceed three months supply.
You should leave your medicine in its original packaging and declare it to the Australian Border Force when you arrive.
Examples
Prescription medicines such as morphine, oxycodone, methadone, methylphenidate, Adderall®, and benzodiazepines are all covered by the traveler exemption outlined above.
Exceptions
The following substance are
not covered by the Traveler Exemption and require written permission from the Office of Drug Control when travelling to Australia:
- Abortifacients (e.g. mifepristone - RU486)
- Yohimbe (Yohimbine)
- Aminophenazone, amidopyrine, aminopyrine, dipyrone
- Amygdalin/laetrile (also referred to as ‘Vitamin B17’)
- Athletes and sporting staff travelling with hormones and peptides
If you run out of medication, you will need to either see a doctor to discuss your options for procuring a further supply locally. If your medication is not currently registered for use in Australia (e.g. Adderall®,), then contact the Drug Control Section (ncs@health.gov.au) for further instructions.
Vaping goods are not included in the traveler exemption for medicines and substances. Information on the traveler exemption for vaping goods is available.