Tasmanians who buy peptides online without a prescription risk a fine of up to $10,650 or two years behind bars, a criminal lawyer is warning, as the products continue to flood social media feeds.
Peptides listed as Schedule 4 substances are treated as restricted under Tasmania’s Poisons Act 1971, making it an offence to possess them without a valid prescription.
Supplying peptides without authorisation also carries a maximum penalty of $4,260.
Avinash Singh, principal lawyer at Astor Legal, said the rules apply in every state and territory, even though the specific penalties vary.
“In every state and territory, peptides are captured by the poisons or medicines legislation as a restricted, controlled or prescription-only substance,” he said.
“The practical effect is the same everywhere: without a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner, possession is an offence.”
Singh said his firm has seen multiple cases of buyers who genuinely believed they were doing nothing wrong.
“We have seen several examples of purchasers unknowingly buying peptides online and being caught out, because they held a genuine belief – often based on how the peptide was marketed – that they could lawfully purchase it,” he said.
Labels such as “for scientific research only” or “not for human consumption” used by overseas sellers offer no legal protection, Singh said.
“This is a meaningless label. If the item is a peptide, then it will fall afoul of the legislation.”
Consumers are among the easiest to catch because online purchases usually reveal a buyer’s name and address.
Singh said importing peptides is handled under federal law, where authorities often take a civil route rather than laying criminal charges.
Seized products can be destroyed and a flat-rate infringement notice issued instead.
He said there is also a gap in the law around social media influencers promoting peptides, particularly those based overseas.
“Given the rapid growth of online peptide sales and social media marketing, lawmakers should be considering stricter regulations around marketing and the information provided to Australian consumers about peptides,” he said.
