Australian Prescriptions

Nicotine vaping is not currently banned in Australia.

You can purchase your preferred products from overseas retailers like Premium Vape, as long as you have a valid medical prescription.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA’s) Personal Importation Scheme is the part of the vaping regulations that covers importing a personal supply of nicotine vaping products. See What’s the Personal Importation Scheme? and How much can I order? What can I order? for more information.

The regulations govern all vaping products containing nicotine. You need a prescription to use and purchase pods, vape juice (e-liquids) and disposables that contain nicotine.

This also includes Premium Vape’s Starter Kits as they contain a vape device and a selection of nicotine pods.

You do not need a prescription to purchase pod vape devices by themselves, or zero nicotine pods or vape juice. However our system is set up to require a prescription for all Australian orders so please contact us first if you wish to purchase these products only.

Yes. If you currently import and use nicotine vaping products in Australia you need a valid medical prescription for nicotine.

DHL requires us to obtain a copy of your prescription so we can supply a digital copy of it, along with the other shipping documents, before they collect the parcel. This ensures the parcel will be efficiently cleared at the Australian border.

The Australian Border Force enforces the prescription requirement at the time of import and may stop, seize or destroy your order if there is no prescription, or they suspect it is otherwise non-compliant. You may also face penalties for importing a prescription medicine without legal authority (fines of up to $222,000).

As part of the 1 October 2021 vaping regulation changes the legal classification of nicotine vaping products was changed to prescription only medicine.

The Australian Border Force enforces the prescription requirement at the time of import and may stop, seize or destroy your order if there is no prescription, or they suspect it is otherwise non-compliant. You may also face penalties for importing a prescription medicine without legal authority (fines of up to $222,000).

You can talk to your usual GP, or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association has a list of doctors who can help.

Some customers choose to get in contact with one of the providers who offer a 100% online prescription service. Feedback from customers is that the following online providers are knowledgeable about incorporating vape products as part of a smoking cessation program. They have all been approved by the TGA as Authorised Prescribers of Nicotine.

• Quit Clinics
• QuitRx
• Medical Nicotine

Pricing for an initial online prescription ranges between AUD $70 – $100 (it can be less with a Medicare rebate depending on the prescriber) and may be valid for anything from 1 month to 12 months depending on what is right for you. You might also want to ask the provider about the costs and process for repeats.

Please note the info and links provided here are not to be taken as an endorsement of any particular prescriber. Doctors are under no obligation to prescribe any medicine, including nicotine vaping products. A doctor will consider the risks and benefits of your particular circumstances. 

What does my prescription need to look like?

The TGA has confirmed what its requirements are for the nicotine prescription format.

The prescription file you send us must show the following:

• The date of issue
• Your full name and address
• Particulars of the medicine prescribed including the name, strength & quantity
• The number of times the medicine can be supplied (i.e. repeats)
• The name, address, telephone number and Australian prescriber number of the prescribing doctor

Please note: QR code documents (even if they include the information above) are NOT compliant for products imported under the Personal Importation Scheme. DHL will not collect parcels that have a QR code prescription file.

More details

A doctor will discuss your smoking cessation program with you as a medical prescription for nicotine vaping products will explain that you require the e-liquid for therapeutic use. i.e. you are a smoker or ex-smoker who has been unable to quit by other means.

Doctors are under no obligation to prescribe any medicine, including nicotine vaping products. A doctor will consider the risks and benefits of your particular circumstances.

Prescribers can consider what nicotine level, dosage and type of product is right for you. You can only import a maximum of three month’s supply in one order (and the total quantity of products imported within a 12-month period must not exceed 15 months supply). The prescription will be valid for anything from 1 to 12 months, and may or may not include an allowed number repeats. If you’re not sure about any of the details of your prescription please check back with your prescriber.

Some doctors are not yet informed enough about nicotine vaping to feel comfortable prescribing it as part of a smoking cessation program. If your doctor wants to learn more you can direct them to the prescriber information pages on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) and Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association’s (ATHRA) websites.

If your prescriber wants to email a script directly to us please request that they email it to scripts@premiumvape.co.nz

And rest assured, all our products are compliant with the TGO 110 product standard for products imported under the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme.

See What’s the Personal Importation Scheme? and How much can I order? What can I order? for more information.

The TGA has confirmed what its requirements are for the nicotine prescription format.

The prescription file you send us must show the following:

• The date of issue
• Your full name and address
• Particulars of the medicine prescribed including the name, strength & quantity
• The number of times the medicine can be supplied (i.e. repeats)
• The name, address, telephone number and Australian prescriber number of the prescribing doctor

Please note: QR code documents (even if they include the information above) are NOT compliant for products imported under the Personal Importation Scheme. DHL will not collect parcels that have a QR code prescription file.

Step 1: Upload your prescription

There are a couple of options for uploading your script:

At checkout:
Your prescription can be uploaded at checkout. The first time you go to check out with us you’ll be asked to upload a copy of it in digital form (use pdf, jpg, or png file format).

Note: if you’re already a PV customer and your current script has expired you’ll also be prompted to upload a file.

Your account dashboard:
Go to the Prescription tab under My Account (you will need to be logged in) where you’ll see you can upload a file. You can also view your current and past prescription file uploads.

Please note: the contact details (including your email address) on the prescription must match your Premium Vape account details.

Whether it’s your very first or a renewed one, your nicotine prescription will initially appear as “Unverified” when you upload it to your account.

Step 2: We review your prescription

Our team reviews each uploaded prescription to check that it is a valid prescription and meets the TGA’s minimum requirements under the Personal Importation Scheme.

We also check that the prescription includes an expiry date. This ensures that you are using a prescription that is current and not expired.

Once your prescription has been checked by us it will show as “Verified” in your account. We’ll automatically include the most recent upload for all future orders (until it expires).

Step 3: DHL shipping

We’ll supply a digital copy of your prescription to DHL, along with the other shipping documents, before they collect your parcel. This ensures the parcel will be efficiently cleared at the Australian border.

No, once your prescription is loaded and verified we’ll automatically include the most recent upload for all future orders (until it expires).

We’ll supply a digital copy of it to DHL, along with the other shipping documents, before they collect your parcel. This ensures the parcel will be efficiently cleared at the Australian border.

Yes! When you upload your first, or a new, prescription, it will show as “Unverified” until our team has checked it.

Even if your prescription is showing as “Unverified,” you can still proceed with your order. Simply go ahead and select the vaping products you need and complete your order. Once your order is placed, our team will promptly review and verify your script, process and ship your order.

If any problems arise during the verification process (for example an incorrect file upload) we’ll get in touch with you for clarification.

Once we’ve checked your prescription it will show as “Verified” in your account and will automatically attach to any future orders (until it expires).

To ensure uninterrupted access to vaping products, it’s advisable to keep track of your prescription’s expiry date. We recommend renewing your prescription just before it expires.

Once you have your new prescription you can upload it in your account, or our system will prompt you to upload it when you place your next order.

If your prescription expires and you place an order using an expired script, we will hold the order and contact you. Renewing your prescription in a timely manner helps avoid any unnecessary shipping delays.

You can view your current prescription, and upload a new file (for example when your current prescription expires) from your account dashboard at any time.

If your prescription has expired you’ll also be asked to upload a new one when you next go to check out.

Please note: the contact details (including your email address) on the prescription must match your Premium Vape account details.

If your prescriber wants to email a script directly to us please request that they email it to scripts@premiumvape.co.nz

Having a valid medical prescription, and ordering the appropriate products for your prescription, is the responsibility of you as the importer.

When you first upload your prescription we’ll do our best to let you know if we spot a problem, however we are not medical professionals and cannot validate the prescription, nor can we reconcile the prescription with your current order or purchase history. Once our team has checked your prescription it will show as “Verified” on your account.

Please note: the contact details (including your email address) on the prescription must match your Premium Vape account details.

If you have any questions about your order and how it relates to the prescription you have uploaded please let us know and we’ll do what we can to help. 

You can view your current prescription, and upload a new file (for example when your prescription expires) from your account dashboard at any time.

We’ll automatically include the most recent upload file for all future orders.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA’s) Personal Importation Scheme is the part of the vaping regulations that covers importing a personal supply of nicotine vaping products purchased from overseas retailers like Premium Vape.

Here are the TGA’s main requirements you will need to meet when importing nicotine vape products under this scheme:

• The products must be for your own personal use or in some cases a member of your immediate family
• You must have a valid medical prescription for nicotine from an Australian registered GP
• You must only purchase nicotine vaping products that match the criteria of your prescription (such as the nicotine strength or type of product you can purchase)
• You can import up to a maximum of three month’s supply in one order (and the total quantity of products imported within a 12-month period must not exceed 15 months supply)
• You must not supply, sell or even give away the nicotine vaping products to another person
• Ideally keep the products in their original packaging with the labels intact

All Premium Vape’s products are compliant with the TGO 110 product standard for products imported under the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme.

The Australian Border Force may hold your order if there is no prescription, or they suspect it is otherwise non-compliant.

If this happens, the Australian Border Force will refer the import to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for assessment. The TGA will then contact you to ask for any other information they need. If you’re unable satisfy their requirements the TGA can request that the Australian Border Force forfeit (destroy) the goods. You may also face penalties for importing a prescription medicine without legal authority (fines of up to $222,000).

It is important to understand that as the importer you are solely responsible for ensuring you are meeting all country (and state) regulations when placing orders with Premium Vape (or any overseas vape supplier).

You will not be able to request the parcel be returned to us, nor can you request a refund if your order is held, delayed, seized or forfeited (destroyed). Premium Vape is in no way responsible for any penalties, fines, loss of product or additional fees you may incur.

As part of the 1 October 2021 regulation changes the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released the TGO 110 product standard which sets out minimum safety and quality requirements for nicotine vaping products that are imported into or purchased in Australia.

The Personal Importation Scheme is the part of the vaping regulations that govern consumers importing a personal supply of nicotine vaping products from overseas retailers like Premium Vape. The requirements for products imported through the scheme include:

• Nicotine must be the only active ingredient
• The nicotine concentration must be less than or equal to 100mg/mL
• The nicotine concentration must be within 90% – 110% of what is stated on the label
• No prohibited ingredients can be part of the product

All Premium Vape’s products are compliant with the TGO 110 product standard for products imported under the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme.

Note: for products purchased from Australian pharmacies there are some additional requirements.

Note: all nicotine vaping products currently available in Australia are termed as unregistered nicotine vaping products as they have not been assessed by the TGA.

Australian vaping regulations are made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which is part of the Australian Government Department of Health.

The TGA bought in new regulations on 1 October 2021 which allow current smokers and vapers to continue to access nicotine vaping products as part of their smoking cessation program while also working to prevent adolescents and young adults from taking-up nicotine vaping (and potentially moving to smoking).

In a nutshell the changes on 1 October 2021:

1. Changed the legal classification for all nicotine vaping products to prescription only medicine
2. Requires consumers to have a prescription for all purchases of nicotine vaping products, such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine. This includes products purchased both in Australia and from overseas.
3. Aligns the laws for importing nicotine vape supplies from overseas suppliers through the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme with the current domestic rules
4. Allows vapers to purchase nicotine vaping products from Australian pharmacies
5. Creates a new product safety standard (TGO 110) for vaping products

Here is a diagram that shows the two main ways you can access nicotine vaping supplies. It is from the TGA’s website.

The new regulations were applied across all states and territories in Australia.

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA’s) Personal Importation Scheme is the part of the vaping regulations that covers importing a personal supply of nicotine vaping products purchased from overseas retailers like Premium Vape.

Here are the TGA’s requirements you will need to meet when importing nicotine vape products under this scheme:

• The products must be for your own personal use or a member of your immediate family
• You must have a valid medical prescription for nicotine from an Australian registered GP
• You must only purchase nicotine vaping products that match the criteria of your prescription (such as the nicotine strength or type of product you can purchase)
• You can import up to a maximum of three month’s supply in one order (and the total quantity of products imported within a 12-month period must not exceed 15 months supply)
• You must not supply, sell or even give away the nicotine vaping products to another person
• Ideally keep the products in their original packaging with the labels intact

All Premium Vape’s products are compliant with the TGO 110 product standard for products imported under the TGA’s Personal Importation Scheme.

There is plenty of information available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s website, including a brief video outlining the 1 October 2021 changes. Here are some useful links:

• Nicotine vaping products
• Information for consumers (including a video)
• Frequently asked questions

We’ll also include regular updates in our newsletters and on the Premium Vape websites as we have them.