Poisons Code

Key messages

The Poisons Code:

is prepared under Section 12 of the Drugs, Poisons, and Controlled Substances Act 1981
defines certain drugs and poisons that are to be controlled as a part of Victoria’s legislation
was last amended on 1 February 2023.

The Poisons Code is a legislative instrument prepared by the Minister under Section 12 of the Drugs, Poisons, and Controlled Substances Act 1981. The Poisons Code may be amended by the Minister under Section 12E of the Act.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Poisons Standard (Poisons Standard) available on the Federal Register of Legislation is a key component of the uniform national approach to regulating medicines and poisons.

In Victoria, the Poisons Standard is given legal effect through the Act and associated regulations and subordinate instruments – including the Poisons Code, which adopts elements of the Poisons Standard by reference.

The Poisons Code contains the Poisons List (Chapter 1) which includes a list of:

Schedule 1 poisons
any of the substances in Schedule 1 of the Poisons List or Schedules 2 to 9 of the Poisons Standard or the Appendices to the Poisons Standard that are not for general sale by retail
exemptions from Schedule 1 of the Poisons List or Schedules 2 to 9 of the Poisons Standard.