Chemical regulation basics

In Australia, agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals are regulated under a cooperative statutory scheme.

This means the Australian, state and territory governments are all involved in certain aspects of agvet chemical regulation. The APVMA—as an independent statutory authority—undertakes the Australian Government’s responsibilities under the scheme, with functions and powers assigned to it by the legislative framework.

The APVMA is responsible regulating agvet chemicals up to—and including—the point of retail sale. Beyond this point the state and territory governments are responsible, including controlling the use of these chemicals.