10 April 2026
What is Schedule 4? Understanding How Peptides Are Classified in Australia
The Poisons Standard
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) maintains the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP), commonly known as the Poisons Standard. This legislative instrument classifies substances into schedules based on their risk profile.
Schedule 4: Prescription Only
Schedule 4 (S4) substances require a valid prescription from an AHPRA-registered medical practitioner. Most injectable peptides fall under this classification, including BPC-157, CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, and Semaglutide.
This means accessing these peptides legally in Australia requires:
- A consultation with a registered practitioner
- A valid prescription
- Dispensing through a TGA-licensed compounding pharmacy
Schedule 9: Prohibited
Schedule 9 (S9) is the most restrictive classification. Substances in this schedule cannot be legally manufactured, possessed, sold, or used except for approved research. Melanotan II was reclassified from S4 to S9 in 2024.
Why This Matters
The scheduling classification determines your legal access pathway. Products sold as "research chemicals" outside the prescription framework operate outside TGA regulation, with no oversight on quality, purity, or potency.
Understanding scheduling is the first step to making informed decisions about peptide access in Australia.
For informational purposes only. TGA scheduling may change without notice. All Schedule 4 peptides require a valid prescription from a registered Australian medical practitioner. This site does not sell, supply, or facilitate access to therapeutic goods. Data compiled from TGA SUSMP, public provider directories, and publicly available review platforms.