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Scheduling basics of medicines and chemicals in Australia

An overview of the scheduling of medicines and chemicals in Australia.

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Scheduling is a national classification system that controls how medicines and chemicals are made available to the public. 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

Schedule 1Not currently in use
Schedule 2Pharmacy Medicine
Schedule 3Pharmacist Only Medicine
Schedule 4Prescription Only Medicine OR Prescription Animal Remedy
Schedule 5Caution
Schedule 6Poison
Schedule 7Dangerous Poison
Schedule 8Controlled Drug
Schedule 9Prohibited Substance
Schedule 10Substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use

The Schedules are published in the Poisons Standard and are given legal effect through state and territory legislation. The Poisons Standard is also referred to as the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP).

  • Scheduling news
    What's new following the 2017 SPF review
  • Scheduling legislation
    Links to the legislation under which the scheduling framework operates
  • AHMAC - Scheduling policy framework for medicines and chemicals
    The Scheduling Policy Framework sets out the scheduling policy the classification system for medicines and poisons, and provisions for public consultation. Further guidance is included in the Scheduling Handbook.
  • The Scheduling Handbook
    The Scheduling Handbook provides guidance on the pathway a scheduling application may follow and other details of the scheduling process
  • Application to amend the Poisons Standard
    Use of this form will ensure that applications are in an acceptable format and will help avoid possible delays in their consideration
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