Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2020L01150 In force Legislative Instrument

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Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020

made under section 41BEA of the

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989

Compilation No. 2

Compilation date: 28 October 2022

Includes amendments up to: F2022L01403

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 28 October 2022 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1  Name

3  Authority

4  Definitions

4A  Excluded purposes—Class 1 IVD medical devices

5  Excluded purposes—Class 2 IVD medical devices

6  Excluded purposes—Class 3 and 4 IVD medical devices

Schedule 1—Excluded purposes

Part 1A—Class 1 IVD medical devices

Part 1—Class 2 IVD medical devices

Part 2—Class 3 and 4 IVD medical devices

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

1  Name

  This instrument is the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under section 41BEA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

4  Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in subsection 3(1) of the Act, including the following:

(a) medical device; and

(b) State.

  In this instrument:

Act means the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

Class 1 IVD medical device has the same meaning as in the Regulations.

Class 2 IVD medical device has the same meaning as in the Regulations.

Class 3 IVD medical device has the same meaning as in the Regulations.

Class 4 IVD medical device has the same meaning as in the Regulations.

government health screening program means a health screening program that is conducted, approved or funded by the Commonwealth or a State.

Note: State is defined in subsection 3(1) of the Act as including the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

IVD medical device for self-testing has the same meaning as in the Regulations.

Regulations means the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002.

SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, means the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Note: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the name given by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses to the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

serious disease has the same meaning as in the Regulations.

4A  Excluded purposes—Class 1 IVD medical devices

 (1) This section applies in relation to medical devices that are:

 (a) IVD medical devices for self-testing; and

 (b) Class 1 IVD medical devices; and

 (c) not intended to be used exclusively for testing to monitor a disease or condition that has been diagnosed by a suitably qualified health professional; and

 (d) not intended exclusively for export; and

 (e) not intended to be used exclusively for testing as part of a government health screening program.

 (2) The purposes mentioned in Part 1A of Schedule 1 are specified for the purposes of paragraph 41FD(ia) and subsection 41FF(1A) of the Act.

5  Excluded purposes—Class 2 IVD medical devices

 (1) This section applies in relation to medical devices that are:

 (a) IVD medical devices for self-testing; and

 (b) Class 2 IVD medical devices; and

 (c) not intended exclusively for export; and

 (d) not intended to be used exclusively for testing as part of a government health screening program.

 (2) The purposes mentioned in Part 1 of Schedule 1 are specified for the purposes of paragraph 41FD(ia) and subsection 41FF(1A) of the Act.

6  Excluded purposes—Class 3 and 4 IVD medical devices

 (1) This section applies in relation to medical devices that are:

 (a) IVD medical devices for self-testing; and

 (b) Class 3 IVD medical devices or Class 4 IVD medical devices; and

 (c) not intended to be used exclusively for testing to monitor a disease or condition that has been diagnosed by a suitably qualified health professional; and

 (d) not intended exclusively for export; and

 (e) not intended to be used exclusively for testing as part of a government health screening program.

 (2) The purposes mentioned in Part 2 of Schedule 1 are specified for the purposes of paragraph 41FD(ia) and subsection 41FF(1A) of the Act.


Schedule 1—Excluded purposes

Part 1A—Class 1 IVD medical devices

Note: See section 4A.

 

Excluded purposes

Column 1

Column 2

Item

Purposes

1

testing specimens from the human body in relation to a serious disease, other than to:

(a) test for the presence of, or exposure to, any of the following pathogenic organisms or transmissible agents:

(i) chlamydia trachomatis;

(ii) hepatitis B virus;

(iii) hepatitis C virus;

(iv) herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2;

(v) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2;

(vi) seasonal influenza virus;

(vii) neisseria gonorrhoea;

(viii) treponema pallidum (syphilis); or

(b) diagnose, aid in diagnosis of, indicate the presence of, or test for the presence of markers that are precursors to, any of the following diseases or conditions, other than by genetic testing:

(i) diabetes;

(ii) kidney disease;

(iii) cardiovascular disease; or

(c) test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens or SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid

Part 1—Class 2 IVD medical devices

Note: See section 5.

 

Excluded purposes

Column 1

Column 2

Item

Purposes

1

testing for faecal occult blood

 

Part 2—Class 3 and 4 IVD medical devices

Note: See section 6.

 

Excluded purposes

Column 1

Column 2

Item

Purposes

1

testing specimens from the human body, other than to:

(a) test for the presence of, or exposure to any of the following pathogenic organisms or transmissible agents:

(i) chlamydia trachomatis;

(ii) hepatitis B virus;

(iii) hepatitis C virus;

(iv) herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2;

(v) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2;

(vi) seasonal influenza virus;

(vii) neisseria gonorrhoea;

(viii) treponema pallidum (syphilis); or

(b) diagnose, aid in diagnosis of, indicate the presence of, or test for the presence of markers that are precursors to, any of the following diseases or conditions, other than by genetic testing:

(i) diabetes;

(ii) kidney disease;

(iii) cardiovascular disease; or

(c) test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens or SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

orig = original

am = amended

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

amdt = amendment

/subsubparagraph(s)

c = clause(s)

pres = present

C[x] = Compilation No. x

prev = previous

Ch = Chapter(s)

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

Pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rep = repealed

effect

rs = repealed and substituted

F = Federal Register of Legislation

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

Sch = Schedule(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

cannot be given effect

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

mod = modified/modification

SubPt = Subpart(s)

No. = Number(s)

underlining = whole or part not

o = order(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020

9 Sep 2020

(F2020L01150)

1 Oct 2020

Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Amendment (COVID-19 Rapid Antigen IVD Medical Devices for Self-Testing) Specification 2021

29 Sep 2021

(F2021L01347)

1 Oct 2021

Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Amendment (COVID-19 Self-Testing) Specification 2022

27 Oct 2022

(F2022L01403)

28 Oct 2022

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Provision affected

How affected

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 4.....................

am F2021L01347

s 4A....................

s 7.....................

ad F2021L01347

rep LA s 48C

Schedule 1................

Schedule 2................

am F2021L01347; F2022L01403

rep LA s 48C

 

 

Overview

The Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020 was enacted to address the need for regulating the use of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices for self-testing, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislative instrument is made under section 41BEA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 by the Parliament of Australia, with the policy objective of ensuring that these devices are used safely and effectively, while preventing their misuse for unauthorised purposes. The specification outlines excluded purposes for different classes of IVD medical devices, aiming to maintain public health and safety by restricting the testing of these devices for certain serious diseases and conditions unless conducted under specific conditions or by qualified professionals. The enacting body, the Parliament of Australia, introduced this legislation to provide clarity and regulation over the use of IVD medical devices, especially in the context of self-testing. By specifying excluded purposes for various classes of IVD medical devices, the legislation aims to prevent the misuse of these devices for testing that could potentially lead to misdiagnosis or improper health assessments. This regulatory approach is crucial in maintaining the integrity of health screening processes and ensuring that such devices are used in a manner that does not compromise public health.

Scope and Application

The Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020, made under section 41BEA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, applies to specific classes of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices intended for self-testing. This legislation specifies excluded purposes for certain classes of IVD medical devices, ensuring they are not used for particular diagnostic testing without the oversight of a suitably qualified health professional. The excluded purposes are outlined in Schedule 1, detailing the specific conditions under which these devices can be used. This specification applies to IVD medical devices that are not exclusively for export or not intended for use in government health screening programs. The scope of this legislation encompasses Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 IVD medical devices, with different exclusions applicable to each class. The excluded purposes include testing for a range of serious diseases and conditions, with specific mention of pathogens such as chlamydia trachomatis, hepatitis viruses, herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus, seasonal influenza virus, neisseria gonorrhoea, treponema pallidum, and SARS-CoV-2. The legislation operates nationally, as it is an instrument made under the Commonwealth's Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. The specification may be extended or modified through subordinate instruments, reflecting changes in medical device classifications or public health priorities.

Key Provisions

The Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices—Excluded Purposes) Specification 2020 (the Specification) outlines the purposes for which certain in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices for self-testing are excluded from the requirement to hold an Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) entry. These exclusions are specified under sections 4A (for Class 1 IVD medical devices), 5 (for Class 2 IVD medical devices), and 6 (for Class 3 and 4 IVD medical devices) of the Specification. The Specification further details these excluded purposes in Schedule 1, which is divided into three parts corresponding to the device classes. The Specification imposes specific obligations on entities dealing with IVD medical devices, particularly those intended for self-testing. For instance, entities must ensure that Class 1 IVD medical devices are not used for testing specimens from the human body in relation to serious diseases unless they are intended for monitoring a diagnosed condition, exclusively for export, or part of a government health screening program. Similarly, Class 2 IVD medical devices must not be used for testing for faecal occult blood, and Class 3 and 4 IVD medical devices must not be used for testing specimens from the human body for serious diseases unless they are intended for monitoring a diagnosed condition, exclusively for export, or part of a government health screening program. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) and the Specification can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Act, offences may include supplying therapeutic goods that do not comply with the legislative requirements, which can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. For example, an individual or entity found guilty of contravening the Act may face fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the specific offence and the jurisdiction in which it is committed. For instance, the maximum penalty for supplying therapeutic goods that do not comply with the Act can be up to 10,000 penalty units or imprisonment for five years, or both, under Commonwealth legislation. It is essential for entities to adhere to these regulatory requirements to avoid such severe penalties.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.