Victoria’s Drug Checking Service
Pill testing, also known as drug checking, is a health service where people can submit small amounts of substances or ‘drugs’ to a chemist to help them determine the contents and strength and make informed choices about what they consume.
Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS), Harm Reduction Victoria, The Loop Australia, Melbourne Health and Youth Projects are thrilled to work together, and alongside the Victorian Government, to deliver the state’s mobile and fixed-site pill testing trial.
Last year, Victoria officially legalised drug checking, making this essential and highly anticipated health service a permanent part of the state’s drug policy.
The service includes two formats:
- Mobile Services: Also known as ‘pop-ups,’ these will be available at festivals and events throughout the state during the summer festival season.
- Fixed-Site Service: As the name suggests, this service will be available at a permanent location, providing regular access to the public.
The drug checking service is free, confidential and anonymous.
It will attend up to 10 festivals and events during an 18-month trial. A fixed-site service will be to opening in inner Melbourne in mid-2025.
We’ll be working with Youth Projects, Melbourne Health and Metabolomics Australia at the University of Melbourne to provide the best services we can.
The Drug Checking Service will be at these upcoming festivals:
- Pitch Music & Arts Festival in Moyston from 7 to 11 March 2025
- The Warehouse Project at Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA) on 25 April 2025
- Ultra at Flemington Racecourse on 12 April 2025
Beyond The Valley Service Report
Victoria’s Drug Checking Service operated at Beyond The Valley music festival located in Hesse, Victoria over four days, 28-31 December 2024.
The service was open each day from 1pm to 7pm. Service users completed a demographics form, dropped their samples off for testing, and returned later to receive results along with a health and harm reduction conversation.
Click to view the results and findings.
FAQs
What is a drug checking service?
This is a free service that tells you what’s in your drugs.
We give you reliable information so you can make informed choices.
What drugs can you test?
Most substances in pill, capsule, powder, crystal or liquid form. We can’t test plants, edibles or very diluted substances.
Is it anonymous and private?
Yes. You won’t need to show ID, tell us your name, or answer questions you don’t want to.
Is it legal?
Yes, using the service is completely legal. Just remember to only bring small amounts for testing, and remember that legal protections only apply within the service area.
The usual laws around possession, use and supply still apply outside the service.