If you, or someone you know, is in need of additional support, please call 000 or any of the crisis support helplines listed below:
- SANE Australia (for people living with a mental illness) – call 1800 187 263.
- beyondblue (for anyone feeling depressed or anxious) – call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
- Lifeline (for anyone having a personal crisis) – call 13 11 14 or chat online.
- Suicide Call Back Service (for anyone thinking about suicide) – call 1300 659 467.
- Australian Government/Department of Health ‘Head to Health’ webpage is a central platform for digital mental health resources.
Can I access psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Australia?
In February 2023 the TGA approved Mind Medicine Australia’s application to reschedule psilocybin and MDMA from Schedule 9 (prohibited substances) to Schedule 8 (controlled medicines) of the Poisons Standard. With this rescheduling, psychiatrists who are given approval from the TGA are now be able to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD. These changes came into effect July 1st, 2023.
You can find out more about it in the TGA’s announcement and MMA’s media release here.
Psychiatrists who have undergone specialist training in psychedelic-assisted therapy will be able to apply to become an Authorised Prescriber of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD. To do so, they’ll be required to make a submission to a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) that outlines details of their proposed approach including protocols, clinical rationale, training and more. Once approved by an ethics committee, they will then apply with the TGA for Authorised Prescriber status.
We are doing everything we can to fast track this process and to make sure that Australia is ready for this incredibly important expansion of the treatments available for key classes of mental illness. We expect to see treatment beginning to be delivered in August or September.
If you’d like to receive updates as things progress, please fill your details in the expression of interest form below.
Why did the TGA reschedule MDMA and psilocybin?
The TGA rescheduled MDMA and psilocybin in response the MMA’s rescheduling applications, submitted in March 2022.
This decision was a reversal from the TGA’s interim decision in September, which opposed rescheduling.
The final decision noted the large number of public submissions, showing the incredible need for new treatment options, and a presentation made to the TGA in November by Professor David Nutt.
Watch the presentation from Professor Nutt with MMA founders Tania de Jong AM and Peter Hunt AM below for details of how it happened.
How can I find a psychiatrist to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapies from July 1?
MMA will be providing information to help patients to find prescribing psychiatrists for July 1 when possible.
To be kept up to date, please fill in the EOI form above.
I’d like to participate in a clinical trial, how can I apply to do so?
If you are interested in being involved in clinical trials, we have listed all upcoming trials in Australia and New Zealand here. If you meet the eligibility requirements for any of these, follow the directions on the page to contact the group running the specific trial you are interested in for further information on participating.
Can you help me find a therapist for integration of psychedelic experiences?
Mind Medicine Australia does not advocate for nor endorse any illegal use of these medicines. However, with the attention these treatments are receiving, we are aware that people around Australia are choosing to pursue them outside of legal settings.
We have developed a directory of clinicians who have graduated from MMA’s acclaimed Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies, who can provide professional advice within their scope of practice from a harm reduction perspective.
If you would like to search the directory for a local clinician, please email hello@mindmedicineaustralia.org and we can send it to you.