Traveling with Medications to 🇦🇺 Australia
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | YES |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply with TGA approval | YES |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | RESTRICTED | Personal use quantities of TGA-approved low-dose CBD | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply | NO |
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed, Actifed, Clarinase | decongestant | RESTRICTED | Personal use; strict quantity limits at pharmacy (720mg/transaction domestically) | NO |
Amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin (with clavulanic acid) | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Azithromycin Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metformin Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Insulin (injectable) Humalog, NovoLog, Lantus | diabetes-medication | ALLOWED | 3 months supply | NO |
Atorvastatin Lipitor | lipid-lowering | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amlodipine Norvasc | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Levothyroxine Synthroid, Eltroxin, Euthyrox | thyroid-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Omeprazole Prilosec, Losec | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Prednisone (Prednisolone) Deltasone, Sterapred | corticosteroid | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir | bronchodilator | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven | anticoagulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nurofen | nsaid | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol | analgesic | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Morphine MS Contin, Sevredol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Sertraline Zoloft, Lustral | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Betaloc | beta-blocker | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Esomeprazole Nexium | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Codeine was rescheduled to prescription-only (Schedule 4) in Australia in 2018. Travelers may bring up to a 3-month supply with valid prescription. Must declare at customs if carrying controlled substances.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
Tramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol is Schedule 4 (prescription-only) in Australia with some states having Schedule 8 (controlled drug) restrictions. Must declare and carry valid prescription.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Mixed amphetamine salt products like Adderall are not registered therapeutic goods in Australia. Import is prohibited. Australian physicians prescribe dexamphetamine separately for ADHD. Travelers should consult an Australian physician before travel.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Methylphenidate is Schedule 8 (controlled drug) in Australia. Import requires written permission from the relevant state/territory authority or TGA. Apply well in advance of travel.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —TGA personal importation permission or state permit
Permit Required
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) / State Health Authority
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Modafinil is Schedule 4 (prescription-only) in Australia. Travelers should carry valid prescription and keep medication in original packaging. No separate import permit needed for personal use quantities.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter confirming medical necessity
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Testosterone is a Schedule 4 (prescription only) substance. Travelers must declare at customs and present prescription.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter stating medical necessity
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Australia permits import of registered medicinal cannabis products (e.g., Sativex, Epidiolex) with TGA authorization. Travelers must apply well in advance. Unregistered products require a TGA Special Access Scheme approval.
- —TGA personal importation permit
- —Australian specialist prescription
- —Certificate of analysis
Permit Required
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
Australia allows pharmacist-only (Schedule 3) access to low-dose CBD (150mg/day or less) without prescription. Higher doses require a prescription. Imported CBD products must meet TGA standards. Hemp seed oil and food-grade hemp are distinct and generally permitted.
- —Prescription or pharmacist record for Schedule 4 products
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Diazepam is Schedule 4 (prescription-only) in most Australian states and Schedule 8 in some. Travelers should carry valid prescription and declare at customs. No separate import permit needed for personal use.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Low-dose melatonin (up to 2mg) was reclassified to pharmacist-only in 2021. Higher doses remain prescription-only.
- —Prescription for doses above 2mg
Pseudoephedrine
WHO: Precursor chemical (listed in Table I of the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988)
Pseudoephedrine is a Schedule 3 (pharmacist-only) medicine in Australia. Small personal quantities in original packaging can be imported. Products above certain strengths require prescription. Real-ID purchase tracking applies domestically.
- —Original packaging
- —Prescription for stronger formulations
Amoxicillin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (penicillin antibiotic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metformin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (oral antidiabetic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Insulin (injectable)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (hormone)
Carry in cooler bag if needed; ABF permits insulin in carry-on.
- —Original prescription
Atorvastatin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (statin)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Lisinopril
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (ACE inhibitor)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amlodipine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (calcium channel blocker)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Levothyroxine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (thyroid hormone)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Omeprazole
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (PPI)
Omeprazole is OTC.
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
ABF permits inhalers.
- —Prescription
Warfarin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (anticoagulant)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ibuprofen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (NSAID)
Ibuprofen is OTC in most destinations.
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (analgesic)
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is OTC in most destinations.
Morphine
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Morphine is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Oxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
TGA Personal Importation SchemeAlprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Alprazolam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Lorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Lorazepam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Sertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Fluoxetine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metoprolol
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (beta-blocker)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Esomeprazole
WHO: PPI (related to omeprazole)
Esomeprazole is OTC.