Walk into any pharmacy or health shop in Australia and you will see shelves of vitamins, minerals, herbal products and teas. They look similar and make similar promises — but the differences that matter are in how each product is regulated, what is actually in it, and whether the evidence supports the claim.
How supplements are regulated in Australia
Australia regulates most supplements as medicines, not as foods, through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Every medicine supplied here must be entered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and carry an AUST number: AUST L, AUST L(A) or AUST R. Some products sold as foods — for example, some protein powders — are regulated as food instead and carry no AUST number. If a product makes therapeutic claims but has no AUST number, that is a warning sign.
AUST L, AUST L(A) and AUST R — what the number actually means
The AUST number tells you how much scrutiny a product received before it went on sale:
| AUST number | What it is | Did the TGA assess it for efficacy before sale? |
|---|---|---|
| AUST L | Listed medicine — lower-risk, using only pre-approved ingredients and claims | No |
| AUST L(A) | Assessed listed medicine — the TGA assessed the evidence behind its claims | Yes |
| AUST R | Registered medicine — fully assessed for safety, quality and efficacy | Yes |
Most vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements are AUST L products. For these, the sponsor (the company responsible for the product) self-certifies that it meets the rules: only ingredients from the TGA’s permitted list, only claims from the pre-approved list, and it must hold evidence for its claims and provide it to the TGA if asked. The TGA can review listed medicines after they are on sale and can suspend or cancel a listing that does not comply.
The common misunderstanding is to read “AUST L” as “the TGA has confirmed this works”. It has not — not for listed medicines. The number confirms the product is on the register and meets manufacturing quality requirements — useful, but not proof it works for you. Check any AUST number in the ARTG on the TGA website.
Read the label like a sceptic
The label is where a product proves itself — or does not. A separate guide on this site walks through how to read a supplement label in Australia. The short version: check the active ingredients and amounts for the full daily dose; read the directions and warnings; and compare the claims with the label. A listed medicine can only make claims that match its ARTG entry — if an advertisement promises something the label does not say, such as treating a disease, that is a red flag, because disease claims require the registered (AUST R) pathway.
What counts as evidence — and what does not
“Clinically proven”, “scientifically formulated” and “doctor recommended” are marketing phrases, not evidence. Keep the different kinds apart:
- Human trials of the finished product. The strongest evidence is a well-designed trial of the actual product, in people, measuring the outcome it claims. This is rare for supplements.
- Trials of one ingredient. Evidence for a single ingredient does not prove a multi-ingredient blend works — especially when the blend’s dose is lower than the trial dose, or is not disclosed at all.
- Animal or laboratory studies. These can suggest a mechanism, but they do not show that a product works in people.
- Testimonials and before-and-after photos. These are not evidence. Under Australian advertising rules, testimonials must not be paid for, must not contradict the label, and must not suggest a product treats something it is not approved for.
Safety basics, and when to ask a professional
Supplements are lower-risk than prescription medicines, but “lower-risk” does not mean “no risk”:
- Interactions. Supplements can interact with prescription medicines. The TGA advises talking to a health professional before taking a weight-loss product for this reason — the same principle applies to supplements generally.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. Many products are not suitable in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and adult products are not automatically safe for children.
- More than one product. The same ingredient can appear in several products you take. Vitamin B6 is a real example: it appears in multivitamins and magnesium products, and excess supplementary B6 can damage nerves. Add up each ingredient across everything you take.
- “Natural” does not mean safe. Healthdirect puts it plainly: even “natural” supplements may be toxic or dangerous.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before you buy if you take prescription medicine or several supplements; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or buying for a child; if you have a liver, kidney or heart condition; or if you have had a reaction to a supplement before. A pharmacist can check the label, your medicines and your situation in a few minutes — for free.
Buying online, and realistic expectations
Buying supplements online carries extra risk. Healthdirect warns that many websites are fake, or may sell out-of-date, poor-quality, contaminated or counterfeit medicines. Overseas sellers do not have to comply with Australian safety and quality requirements, and unapproved products may contain ingredients not listed on the label — in some cases, prescription-only substances or banned ingredients. If you buy online, use a legitimate Australian pharmacy or retail outlet, and be very cautious with products sold only through social media, influencers or overseas websites.
A supplement is a support, not a shortcut. No product is a “magic bullet” that replaces a healthy balanced diet and physical activity. If a product promises fast, guaranteed or effortless results, that promise itself is the warning sign. Expect a modest effect, if any, over weeks or months — not a transformation in days.
A checklist for your next purchase
- Is it a medicine (AUST number) or a food? If it makes therapeutic claims, look for the AUST number.
- AUST L, AUST L(A) or AUST R — and do you know what that number does and does not mean?
- Does the ARTG entry match the product, sponsor and claims?
- Are the active ingredients, forms and amounts fully disclosed for the daily dose?
- Have you read the warnings, and do any apply to you?
- Have you added the ingredients up across all the products you take?
- Have you checked with a pharmacist or doctor if anything above gives you pause?
- If buying online, is the seller a legitimate Australian business?
If you can answer yes to all eight, you are buying with your eyes open. Browse the products reviewed on this site in the shop, read more about how we review, or see the FAQs page.
This article is general information only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified health professional. If you take medication or have a health condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement.
Affiliate disclosure: BPD Community may earn a commission if you buy through a link on this site, at no extra cost to you.
Sources
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), “How we regulate medicines” — ARTG, AUST L, AUST L(A) and AUST R, pre-market efficacy assessment. https://www.Tga.gov.au/products/medicines/how-we-regulate-medicines
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), “How are vitamins regulated in Australia?” — listed medicines, permitted ingredients and indications, sponsor evidence obligations. https://www.tga.gov.au/news/blog/how-are-vitamins-regulated-australia
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), “Weight loss products” — listed versus registered medicines, evidence limits for AUST L products, online buying risks, advertising rules. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/weight-loss-products
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), “Medicines containing vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal or pyridoxamine)” — warning statement, peripheral neuropathy risk, rescheduling from 1 June 2027. https://www.tga.gov.au/news/safety-updates/medicines-containing-vitamin-b6-pyridoxine-pyridoxal-or-pyridoxamine
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), “What’s on my medicine label?” — active ingredients, directions, warnings, ARTG numbers. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/consumer-information-and-resources/medicines-safety-and-general-information-consumers/whats-my-medicine-label
- Healthdirect, “Obesity” — complementary therapies should not replace proven methods; even “natural” supplements may be toxic or dangerous. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/conditions/metabolic-diseases/obesity
- Healthdirect, “Garcinia cambogia” — risks of buying medicines online. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/healthy-living/food-and-nutrition/garcinia-cambogia