All you need is a prescription

In Australia, you must be 18 in order to do anything vape-related. If somebody under the age of 18 is caught with a vape then the authorities have every right to seize it from them, in addition to any and all associated equipment.

From 1 October 2021, all nicotine vaping products (nicotine e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquid) are classed as prescription only medicine. It is important that Australian vapers meet the requirements for legally importing vape products into Australia. Hence, you should have a valid medical prescription from an Australian doctor at the time of import.

E-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine are still legal in NSW. Therefore, adults can buy and use e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine.

Australia has a strict yet complex regulatory environment for vaping with a mix of both Federal and State laws. While the Federal Government regulates the overall use of nicotine, each state and territory manages their own laws governing the sale, age limits on purchase, display and promotion of vaping products, and the use in public places. This has led to an array of challenges and difficulties navigating these laws for Australian vapers. 

Unfortunately, it is illegal for retailers and retail shops to sell liquid nicotine in Australia — as of 1 October 2021, e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine are a prescription only medicine. For retailers other than pharmacies it will continue to be illegal to sell e-liquids and e-cigarettes that contain nicotine. This includes online sales.

However, all this means is that you’ll have to get a prescription from a doctor to be allowed to get the nicotine liquid. In other words, if you’re looking to legally purchase and use nicotine juice cartridges, you will need your vape prescribed to you for therapeutic purposes, such as smoking cessation or alleviation of nicotine withdrawal.  

Although any doctor can write a vape prescription in Australia, many are hesitant to do so or have not completed the documentation required by the TGA to become an Authorized Prescriber

All you need in order to legally buy and use nicotine juice cartridges is a medical prescription from a registered Australian doctor. The TGA has released a list of resources where smokers can speak to a health professional to obtain a prescription for nicotine. Other sources to obtain the doctor prescriptions are listed below: 

• You can get a prescription here. Our doctors will provide our patients with a virtual consultation at no cost and a free prescription for patients who make a purchase from our online shop. Your prescription will be sent directly to our partner pharmacy for dispense and shipping to your door.
• ATHRA has a growing list of TGA prescribed doctors across Australia who can help. You can obtain nicotine prescriptions through face-to-face consultations or inputting an inquiry for a prescription online. 

Once you’ve got a valid prescription, you can get your vape products from an Australian pharmacy or order it online. If you are purchasing the nicotine juice cartridges from overseas, you’ll have to send a copy of your prescription to the seller so they can attach it to your order. That way if Border Force intercepts your package, they know it’s legal and you’ll be able to receive your package safe and sound. 

If you purchase a product via helpmestop.com.au the prescription will be valid for 12 months and will be shipped from a local Australian pharmacy.

Vaping enthusiasts in Australia can legally purchase any non-nicotine containing vaping devices and liquids without a prescription. 

However, as of October 1st 2021, vapers will require a valid Australian medical prescription for all purchases of nicotine vaping products, such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine. 

Nicotine is already a Schedule C substance in Australia that requires a prescription, but the authorities did not enforce the law up to now.

Please be advised that there are severe penalties for importing or possessing vaping products without a prescription, including fines of over $10,000 in some states, or even prison time