Australia
Is CBD Legal in Australia?
Status
Restricted
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 28, 2026
The short answer
CBD is a prescription medicine in Australia, regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration under the Poisons Standard. The TGA down-scheduled low-dose CBD (less than or equal to 150 mg/day, at least 98% CBD, less than or equal to 1% other cannabinoids) from Schedule 4 to Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only) effective 1 February 2021, theoretically allowing over-the-counter pharmacy sales without a prescription. In practice, as of early 2026 no CBD product has been approved on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for Schedule 3 sale. Patients access higher-dose CBD only via Schedule 4 prescription through the SAS-B or Authorised Prescriber pathways. Retail sale of unapproved CBD remains illegal and is subject to TGA enforcement under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, with fines reaching AUD $1.565 million for corporations per offence.
Key facts ·
Australia
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
<= 1% other cannabinoids (including THC) for Schedule 3 low-dose CBD; up to 2% THC permitted in Schedule 4 prescription CBD products
Regulator
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Key regulation
Poisons Standard (SUSMP) Schedule 3 and Schedule 4 listings for cannabidiol
Effective
February 1, 2021
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Legal
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Personal importation of CBD requires a valid Australian prescription plus TGA approval under the Personal Importation Scheme; quantities are capped at three months' supply. Commercial import requires Office of Drug Control licensing under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 and TGA sponsorship for ARTG listing. CBD shipments without documentation are routinely intercepted by Australian Border Force at the border.
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