Grow, produce or manufacture cannabis in Australia

You can apply for a licence and permits to grow, produce or manufacture cannabis in Australia.

This must be for medicinal or scientific purposes.

You must get a licence and relevant permits before starting activities.

You can't get a licence for personal use. For use as a patient or prescriber, go to the medicinal cannabis hub.

Fees and charges

The cost to apply for a licence and relevant permits is at least $50,000.

How much you must pay in total will depend on:

• the activities you want to undertake
• licence variations you make 
• if we undertake inspections.

After you get a licence, you must pay a charge of $27,830 every year.

For more information read guidance: fees and charges. 

Who can apply

To get a medicinal cannabis licence and permits you must give evidence showing:

• business experience
• a sound and stable financial background
• good repute, connections and associations
• the sites you will operate from are appropriate and secure.

Entity types

The following can apply for a medicinal cannabis licence:

• individuals
• bodies corporate – companies with ‘Ltd’ in the title
• Federal, state or territory agencies.

Trusts and partnerships can’t apply. Trustees can apply.

Criminal history and drug use

Your application may be refused if you have:

• been convicted of a serious offence
• a history of illicit drug use.

The process

Authorisation to grow, produce or manufacture cannabis in Australia is a two-part process:

1. Get a medicinal cannabis licence
2. Get relevant permits

Get a medicinal cannabis licence

A medicinal cannabis licence will authorise you to:

• grow cannabis plants – cultivation
• remove resin, flowers or fruiting tops from the plant – production
• transform cannabis and resin into a drug or extract – manufacture.

Get a medicinal cannabis licence

Get relevant permits

The permits you need will depend on the activities you want to undertake.

You can apply for medicinal cannabis permits allowing:

• cultivation and production
• manufacture.

You will need to pass an initial site inspection.

Apply for a medicinal cannabis permit – cultivation and production
Apply for a medicinal cannabis permit – manufacture

Get help

To find out more call (02) 6289 4628 or email mcs.application@health.gov.au