The Victorian Government has introduced new legislation that will restrict the administration of high-risk medications in aged care homes to qualified health professionals only, as part of a broader push to improve clinical safety standards across the sector.
Under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Bill 2025, from 1 July 2026 only registered nurses, enrolled nurses, pharmacists and medical practitioners will be permitted to administer Schedule 8 and other high-risk medicines in residential aged care settings.
The changes are designed to address concerns raised by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety about the inappropriate use of medications, including chemical restraints, and to bring aged care settings into line with standards already in place in hospitals and health services.
“These changes are about putting the safety of residents first – making sure our older Victorians living in aged care receive the right medication, safely and at the right time, from the right professionals,” said Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said the reforms would ensure that “medication in aged care is handled with the same care and clinical oversight you would expect in any hospital or health service across the state.”
The Victorian reforms follow the passage of the Aged Care Restrictive Practices Substitute Decision-Maker Act in 2024, which introduced a hierarchy of substitute decision-makers for the use of restrictive practices in aged care when a resident lacks capacity.
Maddy Harradence, Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch), welcomed the new legislation.
“Medication administration is a core nursing responsibility and these changes support nurses to work to their full scope – delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred care and improving job satisfaction,” she said.
The Victorian Government said the 12-month transition period would give aged care providers time to review staffing models and ensure compliance with the new requirements.
