Drug Checking Service Provider Licensing Handbook

Drug checking provides an early intervention harm reduction service by determining the likely composition of illicit substances and providing harm reduction advice to individuals. Drug checking services aim to reduce risk and harm by helping people make informed decisions about drug use. It does not promote illicit drug use or claim that illicit drug use is safe.

Drug checking is regulated under amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (MoDA), along with the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, the Medicines Act 1981, and the relevant regulations of those Acts. For drug checking service providers to operate legally, the Director-General of Health must have licensed them.

This publication gives details on the application, assessment, and licence renewal processes along with general information about the Drug Checking Licensing Scheme for potential and current drug checking service providers. It also contains information about the monitoring and reporting requirements for providers.