What we regulate

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is responsible for regulating agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals (active constituents) and the products containing them in Australia, up to and including the point of retail sale.

The Agvet Code identifies which products and chemicals need to be registered or approved and which products are exempt. The Code also describes the APVMA’s responsibilities and activities as a regulator – including how we regulate.

Agricultural chemicals and products

Agricultural chemicals (active constituents) – and products containing them – regulated by the APVMA can include:

• pesticides used on farms, commercially or around the home, including vertebrate baits, insecticides, biocides or herbicides
• personal, domestic or commercial insect repellents
• pool chemicals used at home or in the leisure industry.

Veterinary chemicals and products

Veterinary chemicals (active constituents) – and products containing them – regulated by the APVMA can include:

• veterinary medicines, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products
• immunobiological products, such as vaccines and other preventative treatments for diseases
• hormonal growth promotants (HGPs)
• complementary animal health products, such as herbal, homeopathic, nutraceutical and other remedies
• novel veterinary products with a chemical component or health claim
• direct-fed microbial, nutritional or digestive stockfeeds and pet foods – unless deemed as excluded nutritional or digestive (END) products by the Agvet Code.