Visiting Australia
Special provisions exist to allow sporting groups and military personnel participating in military exercises to bring their own supply of medication with appropriately qualified medical staff.
Import/export permission can be granted to medical staff who are travelling with the medication in their accompanied baggage. Anyone who wishes to request this type of permission should email the Narcotics Control Section outlining their proposed activity and the relevant template will be forwarded for completion.
It is important to note that the medication cannot be used to treat anyone who is not a member of the visiting group, and all unused medication must be removed from Australia at the conclusion of the activity.
Australians visiting overseas
When travelling with medication overseas, it is important that the appropriate checks are made to ensure no permission is required by the overseas authorities. The relevant Embassy, Consulate or High Commission should be contacted to confirm whether a particular country requires permission in order to travel with a medical kit.
Sporting teams and military exercises
We recommend that all sporting teams and military personnel who are participating in an official military exercise overseas obtain a licence and permit from the Narcotics Control Section for their medical kit. This permission should be presented to Australian Border Force if requested. Anyone who wishes to obtain this type of permission should email the Narcotics Control Section and request the template.
Please note that our permission does not override any requirements that may exist for travelling to a particular country with a medical kit.
Medical emergency and repatriation teams
Any organisation that regularly flies personnel to undertake emergency medical duties overseas should obtain a licence and permit to import/export controlled substances from the Narcotics Control Section. In many instances, our office will provide a continuing authority that will allow these activities to occur at short notice.
Anyone who wishes to obtain this type of permission should email the Narcotics Control Section and outline their proposed activity and the relevant template will be forwarded for completion.
Medical aid missions
Groups who are seeking to travel overseas as part of a medical aid mission should contact the Narcotics Control Section in the first instance to discuss their proposal. Please include a full list of the substances that you plan to travel with and/or donate.
Anyone planning to donate drugs to developing nations should contact the Narcotics Control Section at ncs@health.gov.au).