Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

TGA – Therapeutic Goods Administration

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is part of the Australian Government Department of Health. The TGA is responsible for ensuring that therapeutic goods available for supply in Australia are safe and fit for their intended purpose.

Watch this video: About the TGA

Examples of therapeutic goods include:

  • medicines (such as prescription, over the counter and complementary medicines)
  • medical devices (such as medical gloves, bandages, syringes, blood pressure monitors, and X-ray equipment)
  • vaccines
  • biologicals (such as human cell- and tissue-derived products)
  • blood and blood products
  • sunscreens
  • sterilants and disinfectants
  • tampons and menstrual cups.

Learn more about what and how the TGA regulates on the TGA website.

Vision and mission

The TGA’s vision is better health and wellbeing for all Australians through regulatory excellence.

They protect the health and safety of the community by regulating therapeutic goods.

How can the Therapeutic Goods Administration help?

The TGA assesses therapeutic goods to help ensure they are safe and effective before approving them for use in Australia. The TGA has a risk-based approach, which means higher-risk therapeutic goods undergo more extensive assessment than lower-risk therapeutic goods. Products that the TGA has approved for use are included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

The TGA also monitors the ongoing risks and benefits of therapeutic goods once approved for use and is able to take action if the benefits are not realised or additional risks become apparent. Possible regulatory actions vary from continued monitoring to withdrawing a product from the Australian market.

Information / help lines

Programs, apps and tools

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Last reviewed: November 2022

Information from this partner

Found 6 results

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.