Drugs, poisons and controlled substances

Last reviewed: September 2025

The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 regulate the drugs, poisons and controlled substances in Victoria.

These substances are listed in the Poison Standards (the SUSMP) and are classified into different Schedules. The classification takes into account many criteria such as the purpose of use, potential abuse, safety and the need for the substance.

Drugs, poisons and controlled substances include:

  • Prescription medicines;
  • Pharmacy-only medicines;
  • Drugs of Dependence;

Many facilities in the University purchase and use scheduled poisons for research and education purposes. Regulatory requirements such as obtaining a permit and implementing the control measures for storage, use, disposal and due diligence must be established, implemented, maintained and monitored to ensure permit compliance.

The management of permit for drugs, poisons and controlled substances in the health services setting is excluded in this topic.

Further information can be obtained from the Chemical Management Guidelines (Section 7).

Permit Requirements

A permit issued by the Victorian Department of Health is required prior to the purchase or acquisition of substances listed on Schedules 2, 3, 4, 7 (listed regulated), 8 and 9.

Approval from the head of department/senior management of a unit/institute must be obtained before applying for a poison permit through the Victorian Department of Health website: Department of Health-Drugs and Poisons

The online form will prompt both general and specific requirements for each scheduled poison classification.

The Victorian Department of Health should be informed of any changes or review of a current permit through this link.

Purchasing

Scheduled poisons are flagged as restricted chemicals in the University’s purchasing system. When purchasing scheduled poisons from the University’s catalogue, staff must complete the pre-purchase declaration and choose the correct Poison Permit listed.

The request for purchase will be forwarded to the relevant Nominated Responsible Person (NRP) who has responsibility to approve or decline. Once approved, the purchase order will be forwarded to the supplier.

If the substance is not listed in the University’s catalogue, staff must raise a non-catalogue request specifying the goods as ‘restricted chemicals’.

It is important to maintain current Poison Permits to avoid any delays in approval process. Finance Services maintains a list of current Poison Permits. Nominated Responsible Person (NRP) of a permit must provide Finance Services with updated poison permits using this link: ServiceNow - Finance

Management of Drugs of Dependence

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