CBD Products Available in Australia: Full Comparison (Guide)

Today, a wide variety of CBD products are available in Australia. They’re some of the most popular natural health aids available. 

With potent effects for pain relief, anxiety, sleep, and skin health, CBD has become a sought-after wellness solution.

The renown of CBD products in Australia has exploded. But you can’t get all products easily right now. 

Due to strict Australian regulations, high-strength CBD-infused items are available only via prescription. 

The rules are more relaxed for low-strength CBD products. You can shop for these now in most pharmacies. You’ll need to request them from the pharmacist (‘over the counter’).

So, what types of CBD products are there today in Australia, and how do they compare?

Some of the most common you’ll find include:

• CBD tinctures and oils
• CBD gummies and edibles
• Vapes
• Topical (skin) products
• Concentrates, pastes and more

This guide breaks down the major types of CBD products now available for you in Australia. We’ll compare each type to help you choose.

Differing CBD products vary in their:

• Bioavailability (how potent it is)
• Onset time (how fast it works)
• Duration of effect (how long it works for)
• Use cases (what its best used for)

Understanding these differences means you can find the ‘best match’ CBD product for you. Let’s dive in.

CBD Products Available in Australia: Comparison

CBD comes in many product formats, each with unique characteristics. Whether you obtain them through official channels or not, you’ll encounter a few major types of these in Australia: 

• CBD oils and tinctures
• Edibles (including gummies and capsules)
• CBD topicals (skin creams and balms)
• Vaporisers
• CBD concentrates

These all differ in availability (where and how you can buy each). The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) determines availability. They govern CBD product regulation in Australia.

These controls limit what’s available (for now) and in what CBD strengths. You can’t buy all types of products currently from pharmacies or retail either.

Let’s break down each product type and compare them.

We’ll also give you the low-down on how easy it is to find and buy each.

CBD Oils and Tinctures

CBD oils (or ‘tinctures’) are Australia’s most available CBD products. Manufacturers make CBD tinctures by extracting cannabidiol from hemp. Distilled CBD extract is then suspended in a carrier oil like MCT. Their simplicity, versatility and usefulness have made them incredibly popular.

Taking them is easy. Put a few drops under your tongue (sublingually), and you’ll feel the effects in minutes.

Some of the key advantages of CBD oil products are: 

• Fast-acting with effects becoming noticeable within 15–30 minutes.
• Precision dosing as you can accurately dose by the drop.
• Higher bioavailability than edibles at around 12–35%.

However, users do report some downsides with CBD tinctures like:

• The unpleasant taste is due to the aromatic hemp terpenes in the oil, which release a musky flavour.
• Inconvenience for travel or work due to its less discreet dosing and appearance.

When to Choose

CBD oil is a good ‘all rounder’ option for more systemic health issues, or general wellbeing.

For example, to calm anxiety, you might take a measured oil dose in the morning or before stressful events. An Australian open-label trial in young people found that CBD therapy reduced anxiety severity and was well-tolerated​. 

CBD tinctures are also great if you are looking for:

• Daily Use: Those with chronic pain or inflammation (arthritis, etc.) often use CBD tinctures daily to maintain steady cannabinoid levels in their bodies. Note that the evidence for using CBD alone as a pain relief option is weak. Most studies in this area have employed CBD in combination with THC (usually in a 50/50 ratio). Despite this, many individuals report that it improves their quality of life by enhancing sleep consistency.
• Flexibility in Dosing: The ability to control and tailor dosing to your daily needs makes CBD tinctures a favoured choice for experienced users. It allows you to fine-tune your dose regimen (for instance, 20 mg in the morning and 40 mg at night). Just be mindful that oil absorption is much slower than inhalation (if you need fast-hitting relief).

Availability

You can readily buy CBD oils in Australia today, but strict regulations control access. High-strength CBD tinctures or those containing any amount of THC require a doctor’s assessment and prescription to obtain. 

• GPs can prescribe prescription CBD oils in Australia for certain pre-approved conditions. Manufacturers produce these medicinal oils under strict standards (e.g., GMP) and test them in certified labs.
• Over-the-counter CBD oil: In December 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) down-scheduled specific low-dose CBD preparations to Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only) medicines, allowing for potential over-the-counter sales. 
• Grey market: CBD oils are widely available online. Brands often sell or market them as ‘CB2 Oil’ or ‘hemp extract’. Pursuing this route can be troublesome. It’s critical to verify quality (look for respected brands that publicly list their third-party lab results). Why? Both user feedback and even large-scale studies have indicated that many online CBD oils are completely inaccurate and mislabelled.

Edibles: Gummies and Capsules

CBD edibles include anything you can ingest that contains CBD. In particular, CBD gummies have become a massive favourite in Australia.

You’ll also see CBD in chocolates, chews, and capsules (or soft gels).

The appeal is obvious. Edibles are easy, tasty (in the case of gummies), and provide pre-measured doses with no need for droppers.

Each gummy or capsule typically contains a fixed amount of CBD (standard doses range from 10 to 25 mg per piece), making dosing straightforward for those who want consistency.  

Overall, they offer similar advantages and effects to oils. That’s because the body digests them in the same way.

What are the pros and cons of CBD edibles?

Advantages include:

• Long-lasting effects that can extend for up to 8 hours.
• Convenient, pre-measured doses that you can precisely consume on demand.
• Taste is a huge factor that sets this product type apart.

A couple of drawbacks are:

• Slow onset and won’t offer fast relief due to digestion times.
• Lower bioavailability at around 6–13%.

When to Choose

Edibles and capsules are ideal for those who want a simple, discreet routine or dislike the hempy taste of oils. They’re perfect for helping with sleep, stress or anxiety.

Taking a CBD gummy an hour or two before bed calms your mind (especially if formulated with melatonin). Gummies can also be a handy way to de-stress throughout a hard day. You might even chew them as a performance aid to prime your mind for flow state work.

Remember that CBD gummies have:

• Extended Effects: A 50 mg CBD edible delivers fewer total cannabidiol molecules into your bloodstream than a sublingual or inhaled dose. On the flip side, your body absorbs the dose more slowly. It’ll last longer over time. While not great for quick stress reductions, edibles are really strong for more prolonged problems like chronic anxiety.

Availability

It’s not currently (legally) possible to buy CBD gummies or edibles in Australia unless you get a prescription. The alternative is purchasing from grey-market sellers overseas or domestically.

• Prescription CBD Gummies: Edible CBD products in Australia, such as gummies and capsules, fall under the Schedule 4 classification and aren’t available without a script.​
• Buying online: Many CBD gummies and edible products are available online. If you choose gummies from the grey market, be wary of an item’s ingredients, lab test results, and sugar content. Look for products made with CBD isolate (to avoid THC) and check if the seller provides lab test results confirming cannabinoid content. 

Topicals: CBD Skincare and Balms

Choose CBD topicals if you need targeted relief for muscle soreness, joint pain, or skin issues.

These are liquids or gels infused with cannabidiol applied to the skin.

Typical options in Australia include:

• CBD creams
• balms
• salves
• lotions
• transdermal patches

These CBD products do not produce systemic effects throughout the body like ingestible CBD. They’ll only bind with cannabinoid receptors in the skin layers. 

The CBD stays near the application site, exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and soothing effects.

What are the trade-offs of topical CBD products?

Advantages:

• Great for muscle pain, arthritis, or skincare, where you’ll want effects that help in a particular part of your body.

Downsides:

• Low absorption with 1–10% bioavailability. Topicals can struggle to penetrate the skin’s layers, reducing the bioavailable CBD.
• Weakly addresses systemic problems because it only targets local skin or muscle areas. Very minimal CBD will enter the bloodstream from these locations.

When to Choose

Applying a CBD balm is a precision approach. It delivers CBD right where you need it (and not where you don’t). It can be phenomenal for a sore knee, achy lower back, or elbow tendonitis.

Note that for deep joint pain (e.g. in the hip), topicals alone won’t penetrate far enough. You’ll still need an oral CBD regimen while complementing it with the topical.

You can also use CBD topicals for:

• Skin conditions: A CBD-infused cream may help calm redness and itchiness if you have eczema or psoriasis patches. It’s even effective in some people for rosacea or acne (one study found CBD reduced oil production and inflammation in human sebaceous glands). 
• Post-workout muscle rub: Massage a menthol-CBD sports balm onto muscles after heavy exercise to mitigate post-workout aches. This is popular amongst athletes like MMA fighters and runners today. It won’t accelerate tissue recovery, but it’s ideal for minimising the discomfort of exercise-induced soreness.
• Arthritis Aches: Users with arthritis report that rubbing a CBD cream or gel on affected joints reduces pain and stiffness. A clinical trial is underway in Australia investigating a CBD gel for rheumatoid arthritis relief​.

Availability

In Australia, it’s currently tricky to buy topical CBD products. Strict rules limit their availability. You won’t find them in pharmacies, and doctors don’t prescribe them.

If you’re keen on topicals, you’ll probably want to shop online (grey market) or import your product from overseas, both of which involve risks. 

Ensure any product you choose contains CBD (some “hemp creams” sold in retail may only have hemp seed oil, which is moisturising but contains negligible CBD). A trustworthy CBD topical will list the milligrams of CBD in the container and ideally have a lab test to verify potency and purity.

Vaporisers and CBD Vapes

Inhalation is the best method for fast-acting CBD effects. CBD vape products come in several forms.

• Vape pens or cartridges containing CBD e-liquid (heated and inhaled as vapour)
• Vaporisers for high-CBD flower (hemp buds) that heat dry herb without combustion

While many people tolerate CBD vapour well, inhaling any compound isn’t as benign as swallowing a capsule. 

What are the pros and cons of CBD vaporisers? 

Pros:

• Fastest-absorbing method of taking CBD. You’ll notice the soothing effects of CBD in seconds.
• Highest bioavailability of CBD at around 31–45%. Why? CBD can cross directly from the lungs’ membrane into the blood, which is efficient.
• Prescribed for anxiety by Doctors. They’ll weigh the downside risk of lung harm against the immediate need for rapid symptom mitigation.

Cons:

• Short-lived effects that expire within 3 hours.
• Legal risks if purchased without a script. Australia currently bans vaporisers, including those that use nicotine or CBD e-liquids.
• Vapour inhalation irritates the lungs. While less harmful than smoking, vaping still negatively affects lung health.

When to Choose

CBD vapes attract users with their rapidly absorbed effects. When you need immediate relief, they can be powerful. 

• On-Demand Usage: Some people use CBD pens before a stressful meeting or event to ‘prime’ their mental state. Using a vape as needed can be very effective, but it won’t work for long-lasting issues. You might address this drawback by supplementing a CBD edible. Unless you have an acute need, you shouldn’t inhale CBD. Its harmful effects on the lungs are too great to warrant usage for most.
• High Bioavailability: Besides its speedy action, inhaled CBD also has excellent bioavailability. Studies show inhalation provides the highest bioavailability of any consumption method. Roughly 31% on average (up to ~45%) of the CBD is absorbed​, which is far higher than sublingual or edible CBD. This means a smaller dose can have a more substantial effect. If you take a 50 mg puff on a vape, you’ll get a similar amount of CBD as taking 100+ mg orally.

Availability

In Australia, CBD vaping is only an accepted mode of administration for medical cannabis patients. Doctors treat it as a medication, and pharmacies only sell it with a prescription.

• Prescription Access: Doctors in Australia prescribe you balanced or CBD-rich cannabis flowers. Some patients access imported CBD vape oils and cartridges from overseas, though doctors prescribe these less frequently.
• Grey Market: You can buy a range of CBD e-juices and disposable vape pens online, but Australian regulations don’t authorise or permit their sale. If you do buy a CBD vaporiser online, make sure you source a safe product. Look for PG/VG-based e-liquids with CBD. Avoid any that contain vitamin E acetate or other harmful additives. 

CBD Concentrates: Isolates, Pastes and More

CBD concentrates can be a good option if you need higher dosages or product strengths

You’ll typically find these sold as CBD isolate powders. These products contain crystallised pure cannabidiol with ≥98–99% purity. Other forms include CBD wax, shatter, or resin with up to 80% CBD purity.

So, where do these products excel and also fall short?

Pros

• Cost-effective for high doses of CBD due to their concentration.
• Flexible dosing, but careful dosing is more critical.
• Homemade (DIY) edibles or topicals are often made via concentrates.

Cons

• Not beginner-friendly and easy to misdose.
• Lacks minor cannabinoids and terpenes that amplify CBD’s overall effectiveness.

In Australia, concentrates tend to be less common in availability and usage.

When to Choose

Most individuals don’t need the concentrations of CBD found in concentrates. People use them for more severe cases of conditions like anxiety disorders.

• Heavy-Duty Option: Some conditions require CBD dosages in the hundreds of milligrams per day to mitigate symptoms. A concentrate makes this feasible without consuming a half-bottle of oil daily. For example, an experienced user dealing with significant chronic pain might take 200 mg/day of CBD concentrate mixed into yoghurt instead of consuming large amounts of gummies, oil, or other edibles.
• Cost-Effective: Concentrates (like CBD isolate powder) offer outstanding cost-efficiency. Pure CBD is always cheaper per milligram than pre-prepared products. 
• DIY for Experienced Users: CBD concentrates can be dissolved into carriers to make DIY tinctures. Remember that measuring milligrams of CBD isolate powder requires high precision. Miscalculating can mean you risk overdosing yourself or wasting CBD. Additionally, isolated CBD concentrates are pure for a reason. Manufacturers filter out all other compounds and plant material from hemp to maximise CBD strength. While necessary, it lowers the overall benefits of concentrates.

Availability

You can only find CBD concentrate products on Australia’s grey market. Prescription channels don’t offer them.

• Grey Market: CBD concentrates like isolate powder are typically sold by the gram. You must source quality concentrates. Why? Any impurities will also become concentrated, which exacerbates their risk. 

Which Type of CBD Product Should I Choose?

Let’s recap on how different CBD products in Australia stack up regarding their availability, onset time, bioavailability and ideal use cases.

This comparison underscores why you might choose one CBD product type over another.

There’s no ‘right’ answer, and you’ll need to assess which best fits your needs. 

What should you consider here when weighing the options?

How to Decide

When you’re assessing which type of CBD product to go for in Australia, you’ll want to keep these factors in mind:

• Your goal: Are you looking for fast relief (vape), long-lasting effects (edibles), or targeted relief (topicals)?
• Bioavailability: Oils and vapes offer better absorption than edibles, while topicals work best for localised concerns.
• Legal status: If you want fully legal or high-strength CBD, get a doctor’s prescription for TGA-approved CBD products. It can be risky to opt for non-prescription (online) purchases.
• Product quality: Only buy lab-tested CBD with a COA (Certificate of Analysis) to verify purity.
• If You’re Subject to Drug Testing: This is a critical consideration for some (e.g., mining industry workers, competitive athletes, drivers, etc.). Choose THC-free CBD products only. Even legal prescription CBD in Australia’s Schedule 4 category can contain up to 1–2% THC. This is enough to trigger a positive result in a urine drug test. To avoid risk here, look for broad-spectrum or isolate products. Verify via lab tests.
• Consult with Your Doctor: If you have any medical conditions or are on medications, you must check with a doctor before taking anything else. CBD can interact with certain drugs (it affects liver enzymes like CYP3A4), so an experienced user who adds new meds or significantly raises their CBD dose should be mindful of that. In Australia, you can find cannabis clinics or GPs who are cannabis-aware to get guidance before you buy.

You don’t necessarily have to choose just one product type. Many users have primary and secondary products for different situations (like an oil daily and a vape for emergencies).

Feel free to experiment (safely and within legal bounds) to find what combination gives you the best results.

Conclusion

While you can access different types of CBD products in Australia today, overall availability remains restricted.

Product types differ substantially in their ease of attainment.

CBD oils and tinctures are easiest to buy in Australia right now. Why? Pharmacies can sell you them without a prescription.

Other CBD product types (noted below) or high-strength formulations are more tricky to obtain. This is due to their varying legal statuses.

• Available via Prescription: You can legally buy CBD gummies, capsules, edibles, and vaporiser products only with a doctor’s prescription. Prescription CBD is pricier on average, but it has assured product quality. Alternatively, online CBD stores (in the grey market) sell each of these products.
• Grey Market Only: You can’t legally buy CBD topicals or concentrates in Australia right now. If they’re a must-have, you can look online or overseas for a source.

Beyond their availability, each type of CBD product has different characteristics. Some types work faster, more potently, or longer in the body. You can use others for specialised purposes, like calming a specific area of the skin.

Consider these differences when you start looking for a product. Choosing should be a personal choice based on your situation. This applies whether you’re looking at the prescription, over-the-counter, or grey market purchase routes.

FAQs