The approved provider of the aged care service is responsible, under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, for ensuring that a Registered Nurse manages the administration of medication to residents receiving high-level residential care.
The nurse is required to manage the medication in accordance with guidelines, if any, issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
In aged care residential facilities receiving high-level residential care, residents may be prescribed scheduled medicines that need to be stored, recorded and managed for administration as per legal requirements.
Medication administration in residential aged care
Information about the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Medication Administration in Residential Aged Care) Act 2025.
2010 Legislative changes
On 1 July 2010, the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law was implemented. The new scheme includes new national boards, which required the Victorian legislation to be changed.
Residential aged care: medicine storage and record keeping
In Victoria, approved residential aged care providers must follow storage and record-keeping requirements for Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 medicine.
Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities collection
Produced by the Department of Health and Aged care, these guiding principles promote the safe, quality use of medicines and medication management in your aged care home.
Nurses in residential aged care facilities – legal requirements
Registered nurses in residential aged care services may possess Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 medicine under certain conditions.
Updated