Vaping In Australia In 2025: Everything You Need To Know
Australia might be one of the more costly places to travel to from the Uk but that doesn't stop plenty of Brits from holidaying there every year, and in some cases even emigrating altogether! Whether you are planning the trip of a lifetime or even looking to relocate permanently, going to Australia as a vaper means you need to be aware of the strict rules they have in the Land Down-Under - read on as we explore the facts.
Is It Legal To Vape In Australia?
Vaping in Australia is a complicated subject but you can use vapes anywhere smoking is permitted so long as you have a prescription - without one, the use of any nicotine containing vape device or e-liquid is illegal and could land you in serious trouble. Acessing nicotine containing vapes is no easy task, as they are classified as therapeutic products, and are only available on prescription. This is set to change by October 2024 however, with new reforms being brought in to ensure those quitting smoking have some access, albeit still limited.
Under Australian law it is illegal to buy, possess or use liquid nicotine for vaping without a prescription from a registered Australian medical practitioner. This extends to importation, meaning even if you bring your vape from a country where prescriptions are not needed to access them you could face heavy fines or worse.
When we say heavy fines, we really mean it. According to Australian customs law, the fine for importing liquid nicotine without a prescription can be anywhere up to $222.000 AUD. Definitely no the best way to start off your holiday of a lifetime!
As a traveller if you bring a vaping device into Australia without a prescription you are permitted to do so, under the condition that it does not hold any nicotine or restricted substances, such as cannabis. Use of nicotine free vaping products is permitted in Australia, however this won't do anything to manage your cravings so is not an ideal option.
Laws are set to change however regarding the prescription system - "Until 30 September 2024, everyone needs a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner to purchase nicotine vapes from a pharmacy. From 1 October 2024 however, people 18 years or over will be able to purchase 'therapeutic' vapes directly from a pharmacy without a prescription. People under 18 will still need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow it, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision."
If you are able to acquire a prescription from your country of origin that permits you to use nicotine-containing vaping products as a smoking cessation tool, then Australia will permit you to bring them as a part of their "travellers exemption".
If you have a prescription for your vpaing products, then under this exemption you can bring:
- A maximum of 2 vapes (including disposable devices)
- 20 vape accessories (including cartridges, capsules or pods)
- 200mL of vape liquid
- E-liquid flavours limited to mint, menthol or tobacco
Take care if bringing the total 200ml max personal e-liquid limit into Australia however as it will likely effect the near-universal 100ml personal liquid allowance, meaning you are best chekcing into your hold luggage, while ensuring all batteries are kept in hand luggage (learn more about vaping and air travel here).
Can I Bring Disposable Vapes To Australia?
Unless you have a prescription, even if a disposable vpae contains no nicotine, you won't be able to bring it to Australia by law. If you do have a valid prescription however, Australia's travel exemption rule allows you to bring two disposables vapes per person.
Under Australian law:
"From 1 January 2024, the importation of disposable vapes will be prohibited, subject to very limited exceptions. The ban will apply to disposable vapes irrespective of nicotine content or therapeutic claims. It means that it will be unlawful to import disposable vapes on or after 1 January 2024, even if those vapes were ordered before 1 January 2024 and have not yet arrived in Australia."
The 'limited exceptions' described in this statement apply to travellers who are carrying a prescription qualifying their need to use nicotine containing vapes as a part of their smoking cessation efforts. Despite this, the personal limit is only two disposable vapes - which is unlikely to last you for the duration of your stay.
Ultimately, disposable vapes are a bad choice when travelling to Australia. If you do have a prescription, you can bring two refillable kits, with up to 20 pods, and 200ml of vape liquid - much more than if you bring disposables alone.
Can You Vape In Australian Airports?
As with most airports, vaping is only permitted in designated smoking areas. Rules differ between airports, but for the majority of Australian airports smoking or vaping in the airport, or outside on airport property is forbidden, unless you are in specifically designated smoking areas.
In most Australian states and territories it is illegal to use e-cigarettes in places where smoking is illegal. This means it is illegal in all public enclosed spaces, and specific outdoor public spaces, including concerts and sporting events - so airports are definitely a no-vaping zone unless clearly signposted.
Your ability to consider vpaing in an Australian airport hinges entirely on your ability to acquire a prescription before you will even be legally allowed to bring a vape into the country, with the excpetion of nicotine-free vapes - although disposables in particular are banned without prescritpion regardless of nicotine content.
Vape Regulations in Australia
Australia has drawn global attention for it's rapidly shifting and very strict vaping regulations. Essentially, vaping is banned in Aus for all those without a prescription from a native medical practitioner. If you carry a foreign prescription for vaping products you may bring a small number with you on holiday, subject to flavour limitations of menthol, tobacco, and mint only. Vaping is allowed wherever smoking is, however getting caught even in posession of a vape without that vital prescription can land you a personal fine of up to $2 million, or even up to 7 years jail time.
Australia has enforced some of the strictest regulations on vaping products of anywhere in the world. Caught between a desire to reduce access to underage users, and a need to give smokers better options for cessation to reduce national rates, the nation has rapidly evolved it's policies but they remain quite draconian when compared to the UK.
According to current Australian law, vaping is regulated in the following ways:
- vape kits and e-liquids are classed as therapeutic goods, and so vaping of any kind without prescription is illegal and carries heavy fines or jail time.
- retailers may only sell nicotine free e-liquids and devices unless they are a registered pharmacy, and then the buyer must have a prescription.
- disposable vapes are banned regardless of nicotine content, however holidaymakers may bring no more than two with them provided they have a prescription from their home nation permitting them for cessation purposes.
- other than disposable vapes, if in posession of a valid prescription, travellers may bring 2 devices, 20 cartidges/pods and 200ml of e-liquid per person.
- the concentration of nicotine in vapes sold in pharmacies without a prescription will be limited to 20mg/ml.
- only those 18 or older may purchase vapes on prescription.
From the 1st of October 2024, the rules are set to change again for vapers in Australia, with the following amendments due to be enforced:
- people 18 years or over will be able to purchase therapeutic vapes directly from a pharmacy without a prescription.
- under 18's will still need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow it, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.
- changes will limit the flavours available to mint, menthol and tobacco, and require plain pharmaceutical packaging for all vape products.
- whereas before nicotine free vapes fell outside of the rules, the new restrictions to both posession and importation apply to therapeutic vapes irrespective of nicotine content.
Where Can You Buy Vapes In Australia?
If you have managed to acquire a valid prescription allowing you access to nicotine containing vapes, you can get hold of them from pharmacies around the country. previously nicotine free vaping products were available for sale from general retailers, however under new rules being introduced from October 2024, pharmacies wil become the sole retialers unless strict licencing laws have been met. Even if you are able to buy e-liquid in Australia, the average prices are very high, with some products being as much as $70 for a single bottle of vape liquid.
Being a vaper in Australia is no easy feat, with strict prescription-based access making getting hold of anything that conatains nicotine very difficult. Even if you are able to get hold of the magic document granting access to vapes for smoking cessation purposes, you may still end up paying incredibly high costs to maintain your vaping habit.
High-street retailers are able to sell nicotine-free vapes with relative ease, however only pharmacies can provide nicotine containing vaping products. If you are a traveller, and happen to have qualified for the travellers exemption thanks to a domestic prescription form your home nation, you may be allowed to bring a small number of vapes and e-liquids with you. If stying more than a week or two however, then this is not likely to last, and you may find yourself stuck for options.
If you don't have a prescription, then even getting caught in posession of a nicotine vape can get you in serious legal trouble, so don't take the risk unless you have the paperwork to back you up. It is well worth ocnsidering other options as a vaper looking to visit Aus, such as nicotine pouches. If you cannot make these alternatives work, you may find yourself relapsing mid-holiday and having to resort to cigarettes to keep cravings at bay.
Nicotine free vapes, with the exception of disposables which are banned, may be permitted into the country, so they are always an option to satisfy the hand-to-mouth action even without nicotine present.
Where Can You Vape in Australia?
Vaping in Australia is illegal in all public enclosed spaces, and specific outdoor public spaces, including concerts and sporting events. Areas where vaping/smoking are permitted will be clearly signposted, and any breaches will be met with heavy fines.
Much like the wider world, Australia permits vaping anywhere that smoking is also allowed. Of course, provided you can legally possess a vape, which requires a prescription.
Vaping is not permitted in the following locations in Australia:
- Official Government buildings
- Enclosed public places such as hospitals, restaurants, schools and other educational buildings.
- Childrens' parks or play areas. You must be far enough away from these if you want to use your e-cigarette
- Any form of public transport such as buses, trams or trains. The same rules apply to taxis.
Vaping is allowed on prescription in the following locations in Australia:
- Open public spaces or streets unless signposted
- Private property
- Designated smoking areas
Other Blogs In Our Travel Series
Still deciding where to go on your next holiday? we've covered lots of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers in our travel blog series, so be sure to check them out if you want to lear the rules around vaping in other countries too. If you have general questions about taking vapes on holiday you can chek out our comprehensive travel guide here, or explore our essential pre-flight tips for travelling vapers.