Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2026
63Administration at public health entities, private health facilities and other places
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63 Administration at public health entities, private health facilities and other places
63 Administration at public health entities, private health facilities and other places
(1) A member of staff of a public health entity, private health facility, residential care facility, managed correctional centre or OTP clinic acting under the direction of one of the following is authorised to administer a Schedule 4 or 8 substance to a person—
(a) a medical practitioner acting in the course of practice,
(b) a nurse practitioner acting in the course of practice,
(c) a registered nurse with an endorsement that qualifies the registered nurse to administer the scheduled substance, acting in the course of practice,
(d) a midwife practitioner acting in the course of practice,
(e) a midwife, with an endorsement that qualifies the midwife to administer the scheduled substance, acting in the course of practice,
(f) a dentist acting in the course of practice,
(g) a podiatrist with an endorsement acting in the course of practice,
(h) for a Schedule 4 substance only—an optometrist with an endorsement acting in the course of practice,
(i) a health practitioner of an approved class.
(2) The direction must be given—
(a) in writing, or
(b) in an approved way.
Maximum penalty—Tier 5 penalty.
(3) Despite subsection (2), the direction may, in an emergency or other urgent circumstances, be given orally in person or by telephone (an emergency oral direction).
(4) As soon as practicable, and no later than 24 hours, after giving an emergency oral direction, the person must confirm the direction by—
(a) making an entry in the patient’s medical record, or
(b) sending an email or facsimile to the person who administered the substance.
Maximum penalty—Tier 5 penalty.
(5) This section does not apply to the administration of a Schedule 4 or 8 substance to a person if the substance has been lawfully supplied to the person by a pharmacist on prescription.