New Opioid Treatment Program legislative requirements and supporting resources

On 5 November 2026, the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2026 commenced, introducing changes to the management of patients receiving treatment under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP).  

The new legislative framework strengthens safeguards for patients and the community, supports contemporary clinical practice, and simplifies legal requirements for OTP prescribers and dosing points. As part of these reforms, new OTP Standards have been developed to outline the minimum requirements for practitioners providing opioid dependence treatment in NSW.  

Key resources

To support implementation, NSW Health has revised and expanded its opioid dependence treatment guidance and supporting resources. Developed in consultation with clinical experts, people with lived and living experience, Aboriginal health representatives and sector stakeholders, the updated resources provide practical guidance to support safe, person-centred care and contemporary treatment practice.  

• Safe prescribing of medicines for the management of opioid dependence in NSW: Guidance for prescribers – the primary prescribing resource, including expanded clinical guidance, a decision-making framework for takeaway doses, and new guidance on co-prescribed medicinal cannabis, pain medicines and stimulants. It also includes advice on emergency department management of opioid withdrawal, shared decision-making, palliative care and advance care planning. 

• OTP Guidance webpages – a central collection of online resources covering opioid dependence treatment in NSW, the regulatory framework underpinning treatment, and clinical consensus guides that provide preliminary advice on emerging areas of practice. 

• OTP Clinical companion for community pharmacists – a practical resource developed to support pharmacists involved in the provision of ODT medicines. 

• Recorded webinar – presented by Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist and lead author, Dr Hester Wilson, providing an overview of the revised guidance and key changes. 

These resources may be valuable for organisations that support people receiving opioid treatment medicines, work alongside OTP prescribers and pharmacists, or provide alcohol and other drug, primary healthcare, care coordination, peer support or related services. They can help build workforce knowledge, strengthen collaboration across services, and support high-quality, coordinated care for people receiving treatment in NSW.  

For more information about the legislative changes and to access resources as they become available, visit the NSW Health OTP reforms webpage: Opioid Treatment Program changes.