Medicines and poisons are classified into schedules based on their level of toxicity and their use. The National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee (NDPSC) make recommendations to determine which schedule a substance should be included. The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) is the publication containing all scheduled poisons and is adopted by reference in the Poisons Act. The publication is currently available in hard-copy version and can be purchased through Commonwealth government bookshops or ordered on-line from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website (External link)

The general description of each schedule is as follows. The title in brackets indicates what is printed on the label of items in each schedule.

• Schedule 1 – no longer in use
• Schedule 2 – (PHARMACY MEDICINE) medicines available to the public from pharmacies, or, where there is no pharmacy service available, from persons licensed to sell Schedule 2 poisons
• Schedule 3 – (PHARMACIST MEDICINE) medicines sold by retail under the supervision of a pharmacist or supplied by medical practitioners, dentists or veterinary surgeons
• Schedule 4 – (PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE) medicines that are supplied on prescription from a pharmacy or by a medical practitioner, dentist, veterinary surgeon, or nurse practitioner
• Schedule 5 – (CAUTION) poisons of a hazardous nature that must be readily available to the public but require caution in handling, storage and use
• Schedule 6 – (POISON) poisons that must be available to the public but are of a more hazardous or poisonous nature than those included in Schedule 5
• Schedule 7 – (DANGEROUS POISON) poisons that require special precautions in manufacture, handling, storage or use, or special individual regulations regarding labelling or availability
• Schedule 8 – (CONTROLLED DRUG) prescription medicines which require restriction of manufacture, supply, distribution, possession and use to reduce abuse, misuse and physical or psychological dependence
• Schedule 9 – (PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE) poisons that are drugs of abuse, the manufacture, possession, sale or use of which should be prohibited by law except for amounts which may be necessary for educational, experimental or research purposes conducted with the approval of the Governor