How to check a supplement in Australia
What the numbers on the front of the pack mean, how to look a product up on the official register, and how to read a label and compare prices fairly.
Updated 15 November 2026 · Published by Radiant Life Distributors
AUST L, AUST L(A) and AUST R
Medicines supplied in Australia — including most vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements — must be entered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The number on the front of the pack tells you which kind of entry it is.
| Label | What it is | What the TGA checks before it goes on sale |
|---|---|---|
| AUST L | Listed medicine — lower-risk products made from pre-approved ingredients | The sponsor certifies safety, quality and that it holds evidence for its claims; the TGA does not evaluate effectiveness before listing, but reviews listed medicines for compliance |
| AUST L(A) | Assessed listed medicine | As for AUST L, plus the TGA assesses the evidence for the product's specific claims |
| AUST R | Registered medicine — higher-risk medicines | The TGA evaluates safety, quality and effectiveness before the product can be supplied |
How to look a product up on the ARTG
- Find the AUST L or AUST R number on the front of the pack.
- Search that number on the TGA's ARTG search.
- Check the entry matches the product in your hand: the product name, the sponsor (the company responsible for it in Australia) and the active ingredients.
- If a product sold as a medicine has no number, or the number doesn't match, treat that as a warning sign and ask your pharmacist.
When there's no AUST number: foods
Protein powders, many pre-workout and sports powders, and food powders such as acerola or camu camu are usually sold as foods, not medicines. Instead of an AUST number they carry a nutrition information panel and an ingredient list, and they are regulated under the Food Standards Code. Formulated supplementary sports foods have their own standard (Standard 2.9.4).
So the absence of an AUST number isn't automatically a problem — it depends on whether the product is being sold as a food or as a medicine.
Reading the label
- Active ingredients and amounts — per tablet, capsule or serve. For minerals, look for the elemental amount (see the magnesium guide).
- Serve size and serves per pack — the honest basis for comparing price.
- Directions and warnings — read them before you start, and keep the pack.
- Sponsor or manufacturer — who is responsible for the product in Australia.
- Allergen statements — especially for powders made in shared facilities.
Comparing price fairly
Compare the cost per serve, or per amount of active ingredient — not the price per bottle. A cheaper bottle with half the dose per tablet can cost more per dose.
Example: a $30 bottle of 60 tablets is $0.50 a tablet; a $40 bottle of 120 tablets is $0.33 a tablet. If the cheaper-per-tablet product has half the dose per tablet, its cost per equal dose is $0.67.
Buying genuine products
Buy from established Australian retailers and pharmacies. Products bought from overseas websites may not be on the ARTG and may not meet Australian standards — the TGA regularly warns about imported products found to contain undeclared ingredients.
Reporting a problem
If you think a supplement has caused a side effect, stop taking it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report it to the TGA, which uses reports to monitor the safety of products on the market.
General information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet. Always read the label and follow the directions for use, and check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting a supplement, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant or are managing a health condition.
Questions
What is the difference between AUST L and AUST R?
AUST L products are listed medicines made from pre-approved lower-risk ingredients; the TGA does not evaluate their effectiveness before listing. AUST R products are registered medicines that the TGA evaluates for safety, quality and effectiveness before supply.
Why doesn't my protein powder have an AUST L number?
Protein powders are generally sold as foods, so they carry a nutrition information panel and are regulated under the Food Standards Code rather than listed on the ARTG.
How do I check if a supplement is approved in Australia?
Search its AUST L or AUST R number on the TGA's ARTG search and check the product name, sponsor and ingredients match the pack.
Where do I report a side effect from a supplement?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, and report it to the TGA using its online reporting form for consumers.
Sources
- TGA — Searching the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods
- TGA — How we regulate medicines
- CHOICE — Listed vs registered medicines
- Food Standards Code — Standard 2.9.4 Formulated supplementary sports foods
- TGA — Report an adverse event or problem (consumers)
- healthdirect — Reporting a problem with a medicine