How the rules work
Two layers apply. The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 governs what may be supplied: a therapeutic good must be on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) unless an exemption applies. Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are registered. BPC-157, TB-500, ipamorelin, CJC-1295, AOD-9604, MOTS-c and the other research-market peptides are not, which makes them "unapproved" goods.
The Poisons Standard and state law then govern who may possess them. Peptides of this kind are scheduled as Schedule 4 — prescription-only — and under New South Wales law BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are named "prescribed restricted substances". Possession without a prescription and supply without authority are offences with fines and, for supply, up to two years' imprisonment at state level; Commonwealth importation offences carry up to five years.
The legal route is narrow but real: a medical practitioner may prescribe an unapproved peptide, and a pharmacist may compound it for that named patient. Two things closed in 2024–2026. From 1 October 2024 the TGA removed the exemption that allowed pharmacies to compound GLP-1 receptor agonists, ending compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. And on 13 April 2026 the TGA published a safety advisory on "a sharp rise" in importing, supplying, compounding and advertising of unapproved peptides — naming BPC-157, GHK-Cu, TB-500, retatrutide and CJC-1295 — reminding practitioners that the Personal Importation Scheme does not cover clinic supply, and issuing infringement notices to practitioners who imported without approval.
Buying and importing for personal use
Under the Personal Importation Scheme an individual may import up to three months' supply of a medicine for their own use or an immediate family member's, not more than fifteen months' supply in a year, and — because these are Schedule 4 substances — only with a valid Australian prescription at the time of import. The TGA has said that unapproved peptide products that are not clearly labelled cannot be assessed for lawful importation and are seized.
"Research use only" labels give no protection. Supply includes offering to sell and giving away for free, and a social-media post offering peptides can be an offence in itself. Prescription-only medicines cannot be advertised to the public. On 28 September 2026 the TGA announced Federal Court proceedings against a company, now in liquidation, and its two former directors, alleging that it unlawfully advertised peptides such as BPC-157, CJC-1295 and GHRP-6 on its website and social media between June 2024 and July 2025; it said unapproved peptide products are now among its compliance priorities. Athletes have a further layer: Sport Integrity Australia lists BPC-157, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, MOTS-c and TB-500 as prohibited in sport, and a therapeutic-use exemption is unlikely for an unregistered medicine.
Compound by compound
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Obtainable only on prescription (compounded or imported under the Personal Importation Scheme with a prescription). Named in the TGA's April 2026 advisory.
Ozempic and Wegovy on the ARTG, prescription-only. Compounded semaglutide has been unlawful since the TGA ended the GLP-1 compounding exemption on 1 October 2024.
Not registered anywhere. Named in the TGA's April 2026 advisory on unapproved peptide products.
Mounjaro on the ARTG, prescription-only. Compounded tirzepatide has been unlawful since 1 October 2024.
Not on the ARTG; prescription-only if obtained at all.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Obtainable only on prescription (compounded or imported under the Personal Importation Scheme with a prescription). Named in the TGA's April 2026 advisory. Named in NSW law as a prescribed restricted substance.
Topical cosmetic use is unregulated as a medicine. Injectable GHK-Cu was named in the TGA's April 2026 advisory.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Possession without a prescription is an offence; imports without a prescription are seized.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Obtainable only on prescription (compounded or imported under the Personal Importation Scheme with a prescription). Named in the TGA's April 2026 advisory. Named in NSW law as a prescribed restricted substance.
Not on the ARTG; prescription-only substance with no lawful supply outside trials.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Possession without a prescription is an offence; imports without a prescription are seized.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Possession without a prescription is an offence; imports without a prescription are seized.
Not on the ARTG; prescription-only substance.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Possession without a prescription is an offence; imports without a prescription are seized.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Obtainable only on prescription (compounded or imported under the Personal Importation Scheme with a prescription). Named in the TGA's April 2026 advisory. Named in NSW law as a prescribed restricted substance.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Possession without a prescription is an offence; imports without a prescription are seized.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG. Possession without a prescription is an offence; imports without a prescription are seized.
Victoza and Saxenda on the ARTG. Compounded GLP-1 copies unlawful since 1 October 2024.
Not on the ARTG; no lawful supply outside trials.
Not on the ARTG; prescription-only substance with no lawful supply.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG.
Not on the ARTG; prescription-only substance.
Prescription-only substance not on the ARTG.
Prescription-only, unapproved; imports without a prescription are seized.
Injectable oxytocin is on the ARTG for obstetric use; intranasal products are not registered for the marketed 'wellness' uses.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG; imports without a prescription are seized.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Oral products sold as complementary medicines; IV NAD+ offered by some clinics outside standard registration.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.
Investigational only.
Investigational only.
On the ARTG for deficiency indications; import without a prescription is an offence.
On the ARTG for fertility and hypogonadism.
Oral listed products; injectable cosmetic use is not registered.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
On the ARTG for type 2 diabetes.
On the ARTG for type 2 diabetes.
Schedule 4. LYO did not verify a current ARTG product at review; supply is on prescription or by compounding.
On the ARTG for erythropoietic protoporphyria; the developer is Australian.
LYO did not verify an ARTG entry at review; no approval for common obesity anywhere.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG.
On the ARTG; PBS-subsidised for severe osteoporosis.
On the ARTG (Lucrin, Eligard).
Not on the ARTG.
On the ARTG.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
Not on the ARTG; imports are seized.
Topical cosmetic use permitted; injectables not on the ARTG.
Not on the ARTG.
Not on the ARTG.
Investigational only.
Investigational only.
Investigational only.
Not registered.
LYO did not find an ARTG entry at review; prescription-only if and when registered.
Nasal spray products for osteoporosis were withdrawn; injectable use restricted.
Minirin and generics on the ARTG.
Not registered.
Not registered.
Not registered.
Investigational only.
Registered as Lyxumia / Soliqua.
Prescription-only; PBS-subsidised.
Depending on presentation.
Depending on presentation.
Not registered.
Not registered.
What changed, and when
- 1 Oct 2024TGA ends the compounding exemption for GLP-1 receptor agonists; compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide become unlawful.
- 13 Apr 2026TGA safety advisory on unapproved peptide products: importing, compounding, supply and advertising responsibilities; infringement notices to practitioners.
- 28 Sep 2026TGA announces Federal Court proceedings against a company, now in liquidation, and its two former directors over alleged unlawful advertising of prescription-only peptides, including BPC-157, CJC-1295 and GHRP-6, on its website and social media; it seeks declarations and pecuniary penalties.
Questions
Is BPC-157 legal in Australia?
Can I import peptides for personal use?
Is compounded semaglutide still available?
Is retatrutide legal in Australia?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Sport Integrity Australia — Peptides explainedsportintegrity.gov.au
LYO summarises the law for research and educational purposes. It is not legal advice; rules change and enforcement varies. Corrections through the contact page.