Policy and Legislation

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Policy and legislation

Legislation relating to the supply and administration of medicine by health workers differs between states and territories. Health workers in remote area Aboriginal health services should understand how legislation in the state or territory in which they’re working affects their scope of practice as well as the roles of other team members.

Find specific legislation guiding medicine management in each state and territory below. Note this information was current at the time of publication in.

S100 and 7CPA IHSPS

The Indigenous Health Services Pharmacy Support (IHSPS) Program supports QUM services provided by Indigenous Health Services (IHSs) and Service Providers who participate in the Program.

Practicing in the Australian Capital Territory

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in the ACT.

- Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Good Act 2008

Practicing in the Northern Territory

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in the NT.

Practicing in South Australia

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in SA.

- Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011
- South Australia’s Rural Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan 2021-2026

Practicing in Victoria

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in VIC.

Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substance Regulations

Federal legislation

Federal guidelines, legislation and standards that guide medicine use in Australia.

The Poisons Standard: SUSMP Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons
The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards: Standard 4
National Framework for Determining Scope of Practice for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner Workforce
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan
Ahpra: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board – Codes and Guidelines
Ahpra – Code of conduct
Therapeutic Goods Act 2001

Practicing in New South Wales

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in NSW.

Practicing in Queensland

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to and administration in QLD.

Practicing in Tasmania

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in TAS.

Practicing in Western Australia

Guidelines, legislation, and standards specific to medicine supply and administration in WA.

- Medicines and Poisons Act 2014
- Western Australia Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 – Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016

Abbreviations

The information was first published on 31 March 2022. All reasonable care was taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition.