Law and penalities

Methamphetamine has been the focus of considerable public attention over the last decade. Due to its potential to harm individual users and society methamphetamine is a Class A controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, meaning it attracts the highest penalties for manufacture, trafficking, sale and use.

In addition, possession of the substances used to make it also attracts significant penalties. People caught importing drugs used to make methamphetamine, such as pseudoephedrine, without a license can face prison sentences.

Manufacturing, importing and possession for supply, or dealing of methamphetamine can attract a maximum sentence of life in jail. Possession of five grams of methamphetamine is enough to lead to a conviction of possession for supply.

Possessing a pipe or utensil for smoking methamphetamine is an offence that can attract one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $1000. It is illegal to import pipes used for the smoking of methamphetamine, with offenders facing a three month prison term and up to $1000 fine. In the case of a body corporate (commercial organisation), the fine increases to a maximum of $5000.