Registered residential aged care providers are responsible, under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981, for ensuring that a Registered Nurse manages the administration of medication for people living in residential aged care.
The nurse is required to manage the medication in accordance with relevant codes, standards, and guidelines issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
In residential aged 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
From 1 July 2026, only nurses and registered health practitioners can administer dispensed scheduled medications in residential aged care.
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: medication storage and record keeping
In Victoria, registered 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, Disability and Ageing, these guiding principles promote the safe, quality use of medicines and medication management in your aged care home.
Nurses in residential aged care homes – legal requirements
Registered nurses in residential aged care services may possess Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 medication under certain conditions.
Updated