Australian Nicotine Prescriptions

Do you need a prescription to vape in Australia?

If you currently use and import vaping products containing nicotine into Australia, you will need a valid nicotine prescription. If you do not currently have a valid nicotine prescription, please read through the section below on how to get a prescription for nicotine.

Can you get a nicotine prescription in Australia?
Yes. You can get a nicotine prescription in Australia from a registered Australian medical practitioner.

You can still buy vaping products from VAPO Australia with a valid prescription.

Why do I need a prescription?

From October 1, 2021, vaping laws implemented by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) require consumers who are importing any nicotine e-liquid and/or nicotine pods into Australia to obtain a prescription from an Australian-registered GP or specialist doctor.

How do I get a prescription for Nicotine?

1. Contact your doctor for a prescription for vaping nicotine e-liquid/pods.

Your doctor will want to ensure you have tried other forms of quitting, such as patches and gum. You may encounter some barriers to obtaining your prescription, these will likely be the most common:

- Knowledge: Many doctors may not be informed about vaping and may refuse to write you a prescription. There is a great doctor-lead resource from ATHRA that you can point your GP to for information about nicotine vaping - https://www.athra.org.au/vaping/

- Quality of Product: Your doctor will want to ensure that the products you use are of the best quality. VAPO is one of the few companies in Australasia that rigorously test our VAPO branded e-liquid, pods and alt. branded pods. We have safety data, emissions results and information on our ingredients available right here. We also provide open access to our Chief Scientist for any specific enquiries.

2. QuitClinics offers a quick and easy service for Australians that rely on nicotine vaping products for smoking cessation to obtain a prescription.
Head to their website quitclincs.com.

An Australian doctor will review your forms and contact you within one business day. All QuitClinics doctors are passionate about helping smokers quit and are TGA Authorised Prescribers of nicotine/vaping products.

You'll receive an electronic prescription within 24 hours. A copy of this prescription can be sent to us so you can continue to purchase the products you rely on for smoking cessation. The prescription lasts for 12 months!

How do I get a prescription for vaping?
You can get a prescription for vaping from a registered Australian medical practitioner such as your GP or QuitClinics.

How do I get a prescription for nicotine in Perth?
You can get a prescription for nicotine in Perth or anywhere in Western Australia from a registered Australian medical practitioner such as your GP or QuitClinics.

Can my GP prescribe nicotine?
Yes, your GP can provide you with a prescription for vaping nicotine.

Can pharmacists prescribe nicotine?
No. Pharmacists cannot prescribe nicotine. However, Pharmacists can dispense a prescription for nicotine vaping products. Read more here.

How much does a nicotine prescription cost in Australia?
A 12-month nicotine prescription in Australia costs $85 from QuitClinics.

What is a 3 month supply of nicotine?
Individuals may import up to a three-month supply of medicines per import (based on the maximum daily dose recommended by the manufacturer) but not exceed 15 months' supply in a 12-month period. What constitutes a 3 month supply of nicotine has yet to be clarified or defined by the Australian government or state officials. The Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association defines it as “For a vaper using 10ml per day of e-liquid with a final concentration of 10mg/ml, the daily dose is 100mg of nicotine (1ml of 100mg/ml concentrated solution). 3 months’ supply would be 9,000mg nicotine (90ml of 100mg/ml concentrated solution).”

I've got a prescription; how do I use it?

Simply upload your prescription to our VAPO Australia website. Prescriptions are typically valid for 12 months; you will only need to upload them ONCE during this timeframe.

What happens if I don't have a prescription?

The Australian Border Force is tasked with enforcing the prescription requirements and may seize non-compliant nicotine or e-cigarette shipments that do not include a valid prescription. As of 1 October 2021, the penalty for importing nicotine e-liquid/pods without a prescription could incur a fine of up to $222,000 under the Customs Act 1901.

Can I buy VAPO products domestically?

You can only purchase VAPO products directly through us online.

Can I buy nicotine online in Australia?
Yes, you can buy vaping products with nicotine online in Australia from our website, provided you have a valid prescription.

Can you buy nicotine salts in Australia?
Yes. You can buy nicotine salts in Australia from our website. We have a large range of nic salts to buy online.

How do I get nicotine e-liquid in Australia?
You can get nicotine e-liquid in Australia from VAPO. Enjoy fast shipping on every order!

Can you buy nicotine vapes in NSW?
You can buy nicotine vapes in NSW. E-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine are classified as prescription-only medicine.

Does Australia sell vapes with nicotine?
Yes, Australia sells vapes with nicotine. You can purchase them online from VAPO.

Buying alt. or V-Liquid?

Click here to download our Product Compliance forms to show your GP that VAPO products meet Australian Regulatory requirements (TGO110).

Where can I find more information on the law?

Please check out the TGA’s FAQ page here (https://www.tga.gov.au/nicotine-vaping-products-frequently-asked-questions) and read through the ATHRA website here (https://www.athra.org.au/).

Follow the links below to find specific queries.

How will I receive my $40 VAPO credit for successfully uploading my prescription?

Once our customer service team has approved and activated your prescription, you will receive an email in your inbox containing your unique discount code for $40.
Please allow 4-6 hours after prescription activation for our email system to generate the discount code. Make sure you are signed up to our marketing communications so you can receive the email.