Travelling as part of a sporting team, medical aid mission and military personnel

Travelling to and/or from Australia 

The Narcotics Control Section (NCS) in the Office of Drug Control (ODC) can grant import and export permissions under special provisions, to bring a medical kit in and/or out of Australia. 

Special provisions exist to allow for sporting groups and military personnel participating in military exercises, to bring their own supply of medication, with appropriately qualified medical staff, when travelling to or from Australia. 

There are also provisions to allow for ships and aircraft to bring medication for first-aid or emergency treatment of their passengers and crew.

There are also provisions under Regulation 10(1)(f) of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, to allow for ships and aircraft to bring medication for first-aid or emergency treatment of their passengers and crew.

Prior to travelling, an import/export application should be made to the NCS requesting permission to bring a medical kit in and/or out of Australia. If permission is granted, a licence and permit to bring a medical kit to or from Australia will be provided.  

Travelling to Australia 

• Request permission to travel to Australia with a medical kit, by completing the relevant import application form. 
• Submit your application by emailing ncs@health.gov.au.
• Import permissions are subject to Regulation 5 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. 
• Import permissions can only be granted to medical staff (doctors, nurses and paramedics) who are travelling with the medication in their accompanied baggage.
• Processing time is 20 working days unless a medical emergency.

Travelling overseas from Australia

• The relevant overseas Embassy, Consulate or High Commission should be contacted to confirm whether the particular country requires permission to travel with a medical kit. When travelling with medication overseas, it is important that the appropriate checks are made to ensure no permission is required by the overseas authorities.
• Request permission to travel from Australia overseas with a medical kit, by completing the relevant export application form. 
• Submit your application by emailing ncs@health.gov.au.
• Export permissions are subject to Regulation 10 of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958.
• Export permissions can be granted to only to medical staff (doctors, nurses and paramedics) who are travelling with the medication in their accompanied baggage.
• Processing time is 20 working days unless a medical emergency.
• 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.

Requesting permission

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. Please note that the 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.

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.