Australian Vape Laws 2025: What You Need to Know

Australia’s vape laws changed substantially during 2024 and 2025. By 20 July 2026, the central framework is settled around one principle: vaping goods are regulated through a therapeutic, pharmacy-only model rather than as general consumer products.

Disposable and non-therapeutic vapes are prohibited. Non-pharmacy retailers cannot lawfully sell vaping goods. Adults may access certain lower-concentration nicotine products after consulting a pharmacist, while higher concentrations and access for people under 18 require a prescription. Since 1 July 2025, all therapeutic vaping goods supplied in Australia must comply with strengthened standards.

Because Commonwealth and state or territory controls interact, consumers and businesses should check both levels of regulation.

Timeline of the major reforms

1 January 2024: disposable import prohibition

The importation of disposable vapes was prohibited from 1 January 2024. The measure applied to single-use products rather than simply those carrying a particular flavour or nicotine claim.

1 March 2024: broader import controls

From 1 March 2024, import restrictions expanded to all vaping goods, including reusable devices, vape substances with or without nicotine, and accessories such as pods, cartridges and vials.

Postal importation is prohibited. Commercial importation requires an Office of Drug Control licence and permit and is generally limited to authorised pharmacy supply chains or medical and scientific research.

27 June 2024: reform legislation received royal assent

The Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Act 2024 received royal assent on 27 June 2024. It amended the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and related legislation governing regulation, supply, advertising, searches, testing and enforcement.

1 July 2024: pharmacy-only supply

From 1 July 2024, non-pharmacy retailers could no longer lawfully sell vapes. This applies to tobacconists, convenience stores, vape shops and online non-pharmacy retailers.

The rule is not limited to nicotine products. All vapes are regulated under the therapeutic framework.

1 October 2024: pharmacist-only adult pathway

From 1 October 2024, adults aged 18 or over became eligible under Commonwealth arrangements to access therapeutic vaping goods containing no more than 20 mg/mL of nicotine without a prescription.

Supply requires a pharmacist consultation, age verification, clinical assessment and professional advice. State and territory law must also permit the transaction.

1 March and 1 July 2025: strengthened standards

From 1 March 2025, only goods meeting updated standards could be imported or manufactured. A transition period allowed old- or new-standard products to be supplied until 30 June.

From 1 July 2025, only products meeting the strengthened standard could be lawfully supplied. Non-compliant products were removed from the notified vape list.

What products are prohibited?

Disposable vapes

Disposable or single-use vapes are prohibited. They are not available through the lawful pharmacy pathway.

Non-therapeutic vapes

Vaping goods may not be sold as recreational consumer products. Lawful supply is restricted to therapeutic use for smoking cessation or management of nicotine dependence.

Non-compliant therapeutic products

A product cannot be lawfully supplied merely because it is described as therapeutic. It must satisfy the applicable product standard and notification requirements.

Non-pharmacy retail products

A product offered by a tobacconist, convenience store, specialist vape shop or ordinary online retailer is outside the lawful consumer supply channel.

Pharmacy access without a prescription

A pharmacist may supply an eligible adult with a therapeutic vape containing 20 mg/mL of nicotine or less.

The process is not equivalent to purchasing an unrestricted over-the-counter consumer product. The pharmacist must assess clinical appropriateness and may discuss:

• the person’s smoking or vaping circumstances;
• smoking cessation options;
• management of nicotine dependence;
• the product and dose;
• risks and directions for use; and
• whether referral to a prescriber is appropriate.

Proof of age and identity is required. Supply is limited to one month’s supply per month. The pharmacist is not obliged to supply.

Prescription access

A prescription is mandatory for:

• anyone under 18;
• any product with a nicotine concentration above 20 mg/mL;
• circumstances where state or territory law requires one; and
• cases where the prescription pathway is clinically appropriate.

A medical practitioner or nurse practitioner may prescribe within the relevant framework. Products remain unapproved therapeutic goods, and supply must still occur through a pharmacy.

The strengthened standard permits nicotine concentrations up to 50 mg/mL. This is a product ceiling, not the non-prescription threshold.

State and territory rules matter

The Commonwealth framework sets national controls, but poisons scheduling is implemented through state and territory legislation. Local laws may impose additional conditions.

This is particularly important for people under 18. Although the Commonwealth framework describes a prescription route, some jurisdictions may maintain stricter restrictions on supply to minors.

Consumers should check their health department’s current guidance. Businesses operating across borders should not assume that one compliance process covers every jurisdiction.

Product standards after 1 July 2025

The strengthened standards restrict formulations to:

• nicotine, capped at 50 mg/mL;
• propylene glycol;
• glycerol;
• water;
• mint flavour;
• menthol flavour; and
• tobacco flavour.

Menthol is subject to a stated concentration cap of 20 mg/mL.

The standards also include requirements relating to:

• plain pharmaceutical packaging;
• restrictions on names designed to reduce youth appeal;
• product information leaflets;
• labelling and instructions;
• plain device design;
• quality and risk management;
• battery and electrical safety;
• toxicological risk assessment;
• maximum 60 mL containers for vaping substances; and
• maximum 5 mL volumes for vaping substance accessories.

Compliance with these standards does not make vaping risk-free, and it does not turn therapeutic products into general consumer goods.

The notified vape list

Only products on the TGA notified vape list may be supplied through the therapeutic pathway. Pharmacists and prescribers should check the current list.

Therapeutic vapes remain unapproved products because none has been included in the ARTG. A notified product should not be described as “TGA approved”.

Notification is also time-sensitive. Products that did not meet the July 2025 requirements were removed, so an old listing or retailer claim may no longer reflect current status.

Importation rules

All vaping goods are prohibited imports unless a limited exception applies and the required licences and permits are held.

The controls cover:

• devices;
• vape liquids and other substances;
• nicotine and non-nicotine goods;
• pods and cartridges;
• vials;
• heat-not-burn devices; and
• associated tobacco heatsticks.

The personal importation route used before 2024 is no longer available according to current ABF information. Postal importation is absolutely prohibited, and goods may be seized.

Traveller exemption

A traveller may carry limited quantities in accompanied baggage for their treatment or someone under their care. The limits identified in the research are two vapes, 20 accessories and 200 mL of liquid.

This does not authorise sale, postal importation or ordinary stockpiling.

Advertising and promotion

Public advertising of vaping goods is generally prohibited. The rules cover devices, accessories and substances.

Narrow permitted contexts include:

• labels, packaging and inserts;
• communications directed exclusively to specified health practitioners;
• limited supply-chain communications;
• information given by a practitioner during patient treatment; and
• government health campaigns.

Even permitted communications must avoid prohibited incentives, samples, testimonials and endorsements.

A public website should not assume that factual product information is automatically outside advertising law. Context, presentation and calls to action matter.

Enforcement and penalties

The TGA works with the ABF, Australian Federal Police and state and territory authorities under a national enforcement framework. Enforcement targets illicit commercial supply, importation and retail operations.

The research reports potential maximum penalties including imprisonment for up to seven years and multimillion-dollar corporate fines. Exact penalties depend on the provision and circumstances, so businesses should obtain legal advice rather than relying on a general summary.

Individuals possessing small quantities for personal use are not identified as the target of the Commonwealth commercial enforcement measures. That does not make the original supply lawful or prevent local rules from applying.

Business compliance checklist

Any retail website, pharmacy, wholesaler or publisher dealing with vape-related content should:

• obtain legal advice;
• confirm relevant regulatory approvals;
• identify every current and legacy vape page;
• remove unlawful offers and purchase invitations;
• avoid unsupported TGA approval claims;
• verify products against the current notified list;
• account for state and territory rules;
• review social media and email content;
• avoid incentives, testimonials and samples; and
• establish a schedule for legal updates.

A retail website should obtain legal advice and regulatory approval before advertising or offering vaping goods.

FAQ

1. Are vapes legal in Australia in 2025?

Only therapeutic vaping goods supplied through participating pharmacies under strict conditions may be lawful. Disposable and non-therapeutic vapes are prohibited.

2. Do adults need a prescription?

Adults may access products at 20 mg/mL or less after a pharmacist consultation, where permitted. Products above 20 mg/mL require a prescription.

3. Can someone under 18 access a therapeutic vape?

A prescription is required, and state or territory law may impose stricter restrictions. A pharmacy is not obliged to supply.

4. Can a vape shop or tobacconist sell nicotine-free vapes?

No. Non-pharmacy retail sale of vaping products is prohibited regardless of whether nicotine is claimed to be present.

5. Are online overseas orders allowed?

Current ABF guidance says postal importation is prohibited and the personal importation scheme is no longer available.

6. Are TGA-notified products approved?

No. They remain unapproved therapeutic goods and are not included in the ARTG.

7. Can vaping products be advertised publicly?

Generally no. Only limited, tightly controlled exceptions apply.

Call to Action

Confirm the latest Commonwealth and state or territory requirements before acting. Speak with a GP or participating pharmacist about lawful therapeutic options, and use ausvapeking.com only for legal-policy information or contact where relevant.